Music is an integral part of my family life. My wife, my children, and I, consider music as sustenance. Our overall health would be greatly compromised without music enriching our daily lives. Over the years, my wife and I have made a concerted effort to share music from a diverse number of genres and cultures. Ever, Emersen, and Cara are not only appreciating most of the music my wife and I share, they are also wishing they could turn on the radio and easily find those tunes broadcasted. This is a disheartening statement, but our family no longer listens to the radio. The selections are drastically limited. Contemporary music is no longer appealing. Once in a while, a song catches our collective fancy, but honestly, I can’t name any top 40 “pop hit” on the radio at this time. It saddens me. I’m sure I’m missing out on some spectacular recordings, but I can’t wait around anticipating when that will happen. The obvious choice is to seek the music we love and it’s not on the radio. Gratefully, through family, friends, and teachers, my children are learning melodies and lyrics of music decades older than they are. Ever, Emersen, and Cara, are all outstanding performers. All three are singing music from a wide variety of genres, thanks to their music teachers. Ever plays any instrument he touches. Emersen plays piano, upright bass, and bass guitar. Cara plays piano and violin. All three are singing in choirs. All three are actively performing in front of large audiences. Ever has already performed numerous times in the first quarter of this academic year. Emersen helped a community in need and learned an entire performance score within a few days. He performed marvelously. Ever and Emersen are embracing instrumental jazz and also play orchestral music. Cara will be the piano accompanist for two more elementary school concerts before she moves up to middle school where she’ll join the jazz band as her brothers did. This is just the beginning for them. Music is continuously flowing throughout our home. My children play music they enjoy and practice daily. I’m singing much of the time. My wife dances and sings throughout our home. Our home is filled with vibrant energy that emanates beyond our walls. I’m sure the waves can be received from outer space. My heart sings feeling the good vibrations stemming from our collective being. We are truly blessed. I am stunned to reveal that, currently, out of all of the music I have shared, one particular pop group has made a strong impression on two of my children. Emersen and Cara have grown attached to the music of 1970s pop/rock band, America. I know most of the tunes so I’m singing along with each hit. Every time I share music with my children, I share stories of my past, and relate the music to cherished memories. I’m certain that is why they place value to the music they are learning. I’m also certain they will come to do the same for their loved ones in the future. My daughter turned twelve-years-old earlier this month and she didn’t want anything in particular for her birthday. The only request she had for me was that she wanted me to sing her favorite song by America. She loves it so much that she will listen to the same song for hours at a time. Per Cara’s request, I recorded my rendition of “Muskrat Love”. Happy 12th Birthday, Gorgeous!!!!!!! From Wikipedia: "Muskrat Love" is a soft rock song written by Willis Alan Ramsey. The song depicts a romantic liaison between two anthropomorphic muskrats named Susie and Sam. It was first recorded in 1972 by Ramsey himself for his sole album release Willis Alan Ramsey. The song was originally titled "Muskrat Candlelight" referencing the song's opening lyric. A 1973 cover version by the rock band America—retitled "Muskrat Love" for the lyrics that close the chorus—was a minor hit reaching number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 1976, a cover by pop music duo Captain & Tennille resulted in the song's highest profile, peaking at number four on the Hot 100 chart. It also reached number two on the Cash Box chart, which ranked it as the 30th biggest hit of 1976. ?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>
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AuthorPer Cara’s request, I recorded my rendition of “Muskrat Love”. Happy 12th Birthday, Gorgeous!!!!!!! ArchivesCategories |