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As early as 1978, I began my musical career accompanying my singer mom and drummer dad on stage from within my mother's womb. I like to brag that I pushed up some extra "wind" for her to belt out a few notes. The facts are simple. If you're born into music, it will become an essential part of your life.As a young girl, I remember staying up way past my bedtime, jumping up and down on the bed to the beat of my dad's country band that practiced beneath my bedroom. Sometimes, I'd get so frustrated; as with most rehearsals, the music starts, stops mid measure, and starts over from the same part a million times until the band get's it right. Sometimes I swore I learned the lyrics faster than the lead singer of my dad's band.I remember taking trips to the music store with my dad so he could buy a new set of drumsticks or a new drumhead. On the way back, in our station wagon, he'd play the local classical music station. When we finally pulled into the driveway at home, he'd make me sit in the car until the 16 minute song was over as it's "not polite to walk out on a musical act midsong."Every Christmas, it was time to get out my parents' old vinyl records. You think I'm eclectic? Rightfully so, considering my parents' tastes. Mom would put on the John Denver, Jackson 5, Oakridge Boys, and Donnie and Marie albums. When my dad got his turn, he'd put on the Kentucky Headhunters, The Outlaws, Marshall Tucker Band, and Alabama.On family road trips, my Mom, Dad, myself and three younger brothers, would all cram into the family station wagon or my dad's band gear van (believe me, he haulled everything including the mixing board and stage lights). It were those times, he'd take advantage of having the whole family together and try to orchstrate us. Often, he'd force me to break out in three part harmony with my mom and the radio. Why didn't he sing, you ask? He couldn't hold a note to save his life! He was a drummer, remember? He lived vicariously through my mother and I...the one's with the voices. We loved when dad played his outdoor picnic gigs and local bar room gigs. Yes, back then, kids could come in the bar and watch their parents play! On occasion, my dad would allow me to come up and keep time on the rim of his snare to a slow song so he and my mom could share a dance. Other times, my brothers and I would be coerced into singing some silly folk song acapella into a mic during band breaks. Four little kids singing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" was always a hit!So what's wrong with band geeks anyway? When I was in high school, I was labelled a "band geek". My school was so small, that I did the sports, drama, and cheerleading thing too. But the band room was where I spent most of my time, usually, tearing apart a piece of flute music. Us "band geeks" constantly fought for our right to have musical education in our tiny school system, but to no avail. Sports deemed more important. We were thankful for the crappy marching band we had. That same marching band, however, wasn't so bad during our annual concerts. I held first chair, first flute for 3 years and took first chair, first flute in our regional honors band in my Senior year. Not bad considering I started playing one year behind everyone else in my grade. See what hours and hours of praciticing to the Marshall Tucker Band in your bedroom can do?My parents couldn't afford to send me for piano and vocal lessons like I wanted, but in my grown up years, I've finally been able to do just that and tinker with a few additional instruments here and there. I'll never stop learning, and I'll never quit music. I'm here to stay and I'm here to make my mark like everyone always knew I would.
