The Superior Express -

I can’t understand when someone says music doesn’t mean much to them. Music has been a must in my life. I believe it was instilled in me before I was born. My mother loved country music. Her favorite singer through the years was Ernest Tubbs. She would listen to his singing on the radio show, The Grand Ole Opry. Her favorite song to sing to me as a baby was “Sioux City Sue.” It was made popular by Gene Autry in 1946. My father, who also loved music, often sang with his brothers forming a quartet in their early years. One of my father’s special memories was when he was stationed in the Navy near New York. He and other buddies went to hear Frank Sinatra in concert. Father would later play his guitar and sing country music in a dance band. His interest in music later was converted to hymns he would often sing as solos in church, but he still loved country music.

Our family gatherings would include singing together. This carried on into the second and third generations with the grandchildren’s grandfather in the lead. Father and mother would encourage their children and grandchildren in their musical interests.

My two sons, were told they had to take at least one course of music each year in high school. Thankfully they both seemed to enjoy being members of the school band and chorus.

While doing difficult house duties, or even during regular house cleaning, I have music playing on a record player, a CD player, or a musical television channel. Good rock and roll songs from the past are my favorite. It helps the work duties go faster and easier. If I’m in a bad or sad mood, music is a “pick me up.” Christian music is played either off a recording or I play it on my piano. While driving down the roadways, I listen to music on the radio, and of course if it moves me, it becomes a “sing along.” When I feel overwhelmed, music comes to my rescue. In happy and joyful times, music seems to soar over and around me. When feeling patriotic in my love for my country, there is music that causes my heart to stir. Country, rock and roll, hymns, blues, swing and even classical, (all except jazz) can open the door to my musical soul.

There is just something special about music.

Music is defined as vocal or instrumental sounds, or both, combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion. I will say amen to that!