2013: I Resolve to Share the Music

It is that time of year again . . . New Year's Resolutions. Rather than create a list of well-intended resolutions, I am simply resolving to share the music.

As a kid growing up, music was both "my refuge" and "my dream." It was a sanctuary; a place I could escape, find comfort, peace, vent my frustrations, and leave feeling like everything was going to be alright. I dreamed of music becoming "my life." My final thesis in my High School Senior English class outlined my lofty ambitions and plans for becoming a professional musician. 

In the summer of 1978, two years after graduating High School, I began the journey of becoming . . . Several years later, a “curve ball” took the wind out of my sails, and I eventually walked away from the music business. From that point on, music continued to be a part of my life; however, the sharing was limited to family, friends, my local church, and an occasional special event.

 Fueled by affordable breakthroughs in music technology and my passion for creating music, I began putting together a home recording studio in the fall of 2009.  The time spent in this creative environment has rekindled a desire to share the music with a broader audience.  So . . . for 2013, I resolve to share the music with the hope you'll love what I do as much as I love creating it.  :-)

Let's Blame It On Betty

My earliest recollection of playing a piano was sitting in the lap of Betty Charlton, an old family friend, as she would take my finger and play kiddy tunes like "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Row, Row Your Boat." I loved to listen to her play the piano, and was always ready for her to let me play. From there, I began taking piano lessons when I was in the second grade and continued piano lessons through the ninth grade.

I think my first formal piano teacher was an elderly lady name Mrs Darden. I remember Momma taking me to her house each week. Mrs Darden had an old organ and she would let me play around on it if I proved to her that I had really practiced the previous week's lesson material. Over the years I had a variety of music teachers, but perhaps the one that influenced me the most (besides Betty) was a lady who had lived in Los Angeles, CA and had returned to Jasper (TX) to help take care of her mother. She was a studio musician by trade, and had me playing college level music when I was in Junior High. Unfortunately, she moved back to CA a year or so later.

My last music teacher was a real disappointment for me as she was determined that I had to go back and start over on a new study method that she thought was awesome. My last piano recital piece was Bill & Gloria Gaither's "The King is Coming." I am sure she was momentarily pleased when I began playing the piece flawlessly, but her smile quickly turned into dismay when I was about halfway through the piece. My mind went blank, and I could not remember another note. Instead of losing it, I simply paused and then let it rip convention style by ear. I received a standing ovation, and she expressed her displeasure by telling my folks that they need not bring me back as she couldn't teach me anymore.

Along the way "dear ole Betty" had taught me to play the piano by ear, and I would much rather sight read the music and improvise by ear. I guess the next time I see her, I should tell Betty that I'm blaming it all on her! :-)