Musical families

[Greg Thomas]

Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't particularly
musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical endeavors when
growing up.

I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.

I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.

How many of us just grew up in a musical family?

Greg

[Sheli Aarden]

Hey Greg,

My mom couldn't carry a tune in a paper bag and my dad never
remembered lyrics so he'd "la la" through most songs. However he was
very
appreciative of music and growing up we'd have the Eagles, Wings,
Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, Billy Joel, Elton John and Steve Miller
playing all the time
over and over on a "hi-fi" he was very proud of.

My brother is a drummer in a band called "The Bamboo
Kids" ( www.thebambookids.com ) and he's very talented. He and I
played drums when we were little...
a whole drum set and that was my first real instrument.

When my brother and I would be singing at the top of our lungs in our
rooms, my mom would always tell us to shut up. My dad however didn't
mind.

My dad's cousin Anthony played the guitar. He died when he was 18 in
what they think is a drowning suicide.

My dad's other cousin Bedilia is an opera singer. She's amazing.

It seems my family skipped a generation here and all the kids play
music or sing, however the parent's do not.

I am so happy to say my son and my daughter both play guitar. My
daughter is writing songs now. My son has written a few as well! They
are 17 and 15. Their dad played piano.

I think parents have a lot to do with their children becoming musical
or not. My advice to all parents who have young children is to
encourage your children to play music. My parents never did and I wish
they did. I didn't pick up the guitar til I was 31. But my daughter
and my son played young and are still going strong and have kept an
interest in it.

ENCOURAGE YOUR FAMILY TO PLAY MUSIC even if it's picking up an egg
shaker and shaking along to what you are playing. That's how my
daughter started.

:)

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't particularly
musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical endeavors when
growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

[Greg Thomas]

Post by Sheli Aarden
Hey Greg,
My mom couldn't carry a tune in a paper bag and my dad never
remembered lyrics so he'd "la la" through most songs. However he was
very
appreciative of music and growing up we'd have the Eagles, Wings,
Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, Billy Joel, Elton John and Steve Miller
playing all the time
over and over on a "hi-fi" he was very proud of.
My brother is a drummer in a band called "The Bamboo
Kids" (www.thebambookids.com) and he's very talented. He and I
played drums when we were little...
a whole drum set and that was my first real instrument.
When my brother and I would be singing at the top of our lungs in our
rooms, my mom would always tell us to shut up. My dad however didn't
mind.
My dad's cousin Anthony played the guitar. He died when he was 18 in
what they think is a drowning suicide.
My dad's other cousin Bedilia is an opera singer. She's amazing.
It seems my family skipped a generation here and all the kids play
music or sing, however the parent's do not.
I am so happy to say my son and my daughter both play guitar. My
daughter is writing songs now. My son has written a few as well! They
are 17 and 15. Their dad played piano.
I think parents have a lot to do with their children becoming musical
or not. My advice to all parents who have young children is to
encourage your children to play music. My parents never did and I wish
they did. I didn't pick up the guitar til I was 31. But my daughter
and my son played young and are still going strong and have kept an
interest in it.
ENCOURAGE YOUR FAMILY TO PLAY MUSIC even if it's picking up an egg
shaker and shaking along to what you are playing. That's how my
daughter started.
:)

Two of my three sons play; Josh, my oldest, has been playing guitar
since he was 13 (he'll be 30 next month!); Luke (who'll be 20 next
month) has been playing guitar and mandolin for about 3 years. My
youngest noodles a little bit, but not a lot of interest there. I
guess the encouragement my kids got from me was that there was always
music in the house, there were always a LOT of instruments lying
around, and there were frequent jam sessions or rehearsals going on.
Music has always just been part of life around here: they just kind of
picked it up by osmosis. And I'm so glad they did.

Greg

[m***@gmail.com]

My dad had a big band before WWII, mom always sang in church, big
brother had an acoustic rock band in the '70s and recorded and album,
big sister always sang, little sister has opera/musical theatre
training and has been performing professionally for many years.

[kol_isha]

Post by m***@gmail.com
My dad had a big band before WWII, mom always sang in church, big
brother had an acoustic rock band in the '70s and recorded and album,
big sister always sang, little sister has opera/musical theatre
training and has been performing professionally for many years.

Marc... I meant to say... welcome back to RMMGA. I know you used to hang
out here (before my time). But this is the first time I've seen you posting
regularly. So does that mean you are going to join us at the East Coast
gathering next month? Anyway, I am glad for more representation from South
Florida. Soon there will be enough of us here that we can start pushing for
a South Florida gathering!

[kol_isha]

I can't say that I grew up in a particularly musical family. My Mom didn't
play any instruments that I know of, but she was always singing around the
house as she worked... usually Broadway showtunes. And there was a HUGE
collection of records in my house... mostly broadway stuff or music from the
Big Band era and Sinatra type stuff. I didn't know my Dad even had any
musical abilities at all until the day he sat down at the piano (when I was
around 12) and plunked out a song and sang along with it. We were all
shocked. But he rarely did that. The only time I ever heard him sing was
on the bimah at summer camp during the Friday night services. The camp he
ran was Jewish-based (though not one of those real religious camps), but it
did have a requirement of Friday night services... and services always meant
lots of singing. I learned a lot of Hebrew songs at camp, but I never
thought of it as "musical." I just thought of it as part of being Jewish.

According to my mother, my maternal grandmother used to play piano in the
movie theatres during the silent movie era. But she died when I was very
young and I have no memory of hearing her play.

However, if you want to consider all of those wonderful people who
surrounded me during all those years of summer camp as my "family," (and
they sure felt like it to me), then I DID have a musical family. Uncle
Larry, Uncle Joe, Aunt Sally... these were camp counselors and camp
administrators. As the camp owner's daughter, I got to see a lot of them.
And... there was always music and guitars around the campfire. I am sure
that the first time I ever sang Kum Ba Yah was at camp under the tutelage of
one of them. And as I have said on here before, my Dad hired George Britton
(founder of the Philadelphia Folksong Society) to teach music at camp, and
George is the one who first put guitars in all of our hands.

When the family would take trips, the four of us kids would sit in the back
seat of the car and sing camp songs until my parents would hold their ears
and ask us to please stop. Today, only my younger sister sings and plays.
(The other two never picked up a guitar.) She and I have written songs
together over the years... mostly for family occasions (weddings, bar
mitzvahs, etc.) In every old photo album of some major family event, there
is one of Nancy and Arlene up there with guitars.

Regards,

Arlene

[Dwight]

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't particularly
musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical endeavors when
growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

My parents weren't very musical except for listening. I have two
sisters. The oldest played piano and flute for a few years, but quit
both before high school. My youngest sister played flute for a few
years, but was an excellent singer. She sang on national tv, DVD's and
CDs, but she quit singing publicly a few years ago. I'm not sure why she
quit, I would have loved to have had her talent.

Dwight

[Ken Cashion]

On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:04:03 GMT, "Greg Thomas"

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't particularly
musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical endeavors when
growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

My mom sang gospel at the sink -- always -- if the radio wasn't on.

If we got in our '36 Ford and the trip took over an hour, we would
hear my dad sing, "Rowdy But Right," "Ace In The Hole," and "My Rough
and Rowdy Days." He would do some Jimmy Rodgers for encores. These
would be repeated each hour or so. (I do these songs now as a
medley.)

My dad liked songs about what he knew...born into a big family...dirt
poor...brother killed himself in front of his mom...his dad was shot
and brought home to die...another brother killed jumping a
boxcar...stuck in an orphans home to grow up...as a teen, had a gang
of hoodlums in Cleburne, TX, (that even made the newspapers a few
times)...friend to Clyde Barrow and Mary Martin (figure that one out).

Then my mama tamed him.

I believed my daddy. (I obeyed him, too. <g>)

Nobody in the home played an instrument until I bought the True Tone
at the Western Auto Store. My first ply guitar. <g>

Ken

[John Sorell]

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:04:03 GMT, "Greg Thomas"

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't
particularly musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my
musical endeavors when growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time
brother/sister/family acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim &
Jesse, Louvin Brothers, Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more
modern: the Rice brothers, the Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk
scare, or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

My mom sang gospel at the sink -- always -- if the radio wasn't on.
If we got in our '36 Ford and the trip took over an hour, we would
hear my dad sing, "Rowdy But Right," "Ace In The Hole," and "My Rough
and Rowdy Days." He would do some Jimmy Rodgers for encores. These
would be repeated each hour or so. (I do these songs now as a
medley.)
My dad liked songs about what he knew...born into a big family...dirt
poor...brother killed himself in front of his mom...his dad was shot
and brought home to die...another brother killed jumping a
boxcar...stuck in an orphans home to grow up...as a teen, had a gang
of hoodlums in Cleburne, TX, (that even made the newspapers a few
times)...friend to Clyde Barrow and Mary Martin (figure that one out).

I can understand a possible connection with Clyde Barrow. But I've gotta
hear about the Mary Martin connection. Anything to do with Peter Pan?

John

Post by Ken Cashion
Then my mama tamed him.
I believed my daddy. (I obeyed him, too. <g>)
Nobody in the home played an instrument until I bought the True Tone
at the Western Auto Store. My first ply guitar. <g>
Ken

[Ken Cashion]

Post by John Sorell

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:04:03 GMT, "Greg Thomas"

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't
particularly musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my
musical endeavors when growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time
brother/sister/family acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim &
Jesse, Louvin Brothers, Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more
modern: the Rice brothers, the Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk
scare, or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

My mom sang gospel at the sink -- always -- if the radio wasn't on.
If we got in our '36 Ford and the trip took over an hour, we would
hear my dad sing, "Rowdy But Right," "Ace In The Hole," and "My Rough
and Rowdy Days." He would do some Jimmy Rodgers for encores. These
would be repeated each hour or so. (I do these songs now as a
medley.)
My dad liked songs about what he knew...born into a big family...dirt
poor...brother killed himself in front of his mom...his dad was shot
and brought home to die...another brother killed jumping a
boxcar...stuck in an orphans home to grow up...as a teen, had a gang
of hoodlums in Cleburne, TX, (that even made the newspapers a few
times)...friend to Clyde Barrow and Mary Martin (figure that one out).

I can understand a possible connection with Clyde Barrow. But I've gotta
hear about the Mary Martin connection. Anything to do with Peter Pan?

This was before Mary was flying around the stage. She was a little
precocious for early Weatherford and had friends in Cleburne. My dad
had friends in Weatherford. They met but didn't date...or at least he
was smart enough to not say so. Mary got married really early but it
wasn't much of a marriage because she was hardly more than a kid and a
small one at that.

She had Larry Hagman while living in Weatherford.

My mom says that dad and Mary would have gotten real serious had she
not been around. At one time, Mary was in Cleburne and bounced my
very older brother on her lap while visiting with my mom and dad. Dad
was glad to see her; my mom less so.

She was there just a little while but she and Dad saw each other from
time to time and then she became rich and famous and Dad didn't.

Years later, my brother was shoeing some horses over by Dallas and
Larry Hagman showed up. The horses were used during some of the TV
show filming. He met Hagman and they talked. My brother didn't think
to mention his mom and our dad to him. Too bad.

I think he should have said something like, "Had it not been for
Roberta Osborne in Cleburne...I might have been your mom's kid instead
of you." <g>

Dad also knew the Hamilton boys, Ray and Floyd but didn't care for
them because they were scary mean. He said that Bonnie (whom he met)
was OK and Clyde was OK but with the Hamiltons around, particularly
Ray, they all went crazy.

Dad would have been with Clyde when he went to see Bonnie and their
combined crime spree started but Dad had to work and he knew my mom
would kill him if he went off with them.

Dad knew most every one in that area and Bonnie's mother gave my dad a
copy of a poem that Bonnie had sent her. The copy was glued inside my
dad's National Guard foot locker. I ended up with the foot locker and
over time it came apart. Inside the top of the locker was the
newspaper clippings of them getting killed (with pictures) and beside
that was the poem. I only remember the first part...it is long and I
used to know it all.

"You've read the story of Jesse James--
Of how he lived and died;
If you're still in need
Of something to read
Here's the story of Bonnie and Clyde.

Now Bonnie and Clyde are the Barrow gang.
I'm sure you all have read
How they rob and steal
And those who squeal
Are usually found dying or dead."

I like the last two verses... I remember them.

"They don't think they're too smart,
They know the law always wins;
They've been shot at before,
But they do not ignore
That death is the wages of sin.

Some day they'll go down together;
They'll bury them side by side;
To few it'll be grief--
To the law a relief--
But still it is death for Bonnie and Clyde."

Ken

[John Sorell]

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by John Sorell

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:04:03 GMT, "Greg Thomas"

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't
particularly musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my
musical endeavors when growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time
brother/sister/family acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim &
Jesse, Louvin Brothers, Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more
modern: the Rice brothers, the Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk
scare, or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

My mom sang gospel at the sink -- always -- if the radio wasn't on.
If we got in our '36 Ford and the trip took over an hour, we would
hear my dad sing, "Rowdy But Right," "Ace In The Hole," and "My Rough
and Rowdy Days." He would do some Jimmy Rodgers for encores. These
would be repeated each hour or so. (I do these songs now as a
medley.)
My dad liked songs about what he knew...born into a big family...dirt
poor...brother killed himself in front of his mom...his dad was shot
and brought home to die...another brother killed jumping a
boxcar...stuck in an orphans home to grow up...as a teen, had a gang
of hoodlums in Cleburne, TX, (that even made the newspapers a few
times)...friend to Clyde Barrow and Mary Martin (figure that one out).

I can understand a possible connection with Clyde Barrow. But I've gotta
hear about the Mary Martin connection. Anything to do with Peter Pan?

This was before Mary was flying around the stage. She was a little
precocious for early Weatherford and had friends in Cleburne. My dad
had friends in Weatherford. They met but didn't date...or at least he
was smart enough to not say so. Mary got married really early but it
wasn't much of a marriage because she was hardly more than a kid and a
small one at that.
She had Larry Hagman while living in Weatherford.
My mom says that dad and Mary would have gotten real serious had she
not been around. At one time, Mary was in Cleburne and bounced my
very older brother on her lap while visiting with my mom and dad. Dad
was glad to see her; my mom less so.
She was there just a little while but she and Dad saw each other from
time to time and then she became rich and famous and Dad didn't.
Years later, my brother was shoeing some horses over by Dallas and
Larry Hagman showed up. The horses were used during some of the TV
show filming. He met Hagman and they talked. My brother didn't think
to mention his mom and our dad to him. Too bad.
I think he should have said something like, "Had it not been for
Roberta Osborne in Cleburne...I might have been your mom's kid instead
of you." <g>
Dad also knew the Hamilton boys, Ray and Floyd but didn't care for
them because they were scary mean. He said that Bonnie (whom he met)
was OK and Clyde was OK but with the Hamiltons around, particularly
Ray, they all went crazy.
Dad would have been with Clyde when he went to see Bonnie and their
combined crime spree started but Dad had to work and he knew my mom
would kill him if he went off with them.
Dad knew most every one in that area and Bonnie's mother gave my dad a
copy of a poem that Bonnie had sent her. The copy was glued inside my
dad's National Guard foot locker. I ended up with the foot locker and
over time it came apart. Inside the top of the locker was the
newspaper clippings of them getting killed (with pictures) and beside
that was the poem. I only remember the first part...it is long and I
used to know it all.
"You've read the story of Jesse James--
Of how he lived and died;
If you're still in need
Of something to read
Here's the story of Bonnie and Clyde.
Now Bonnie and Clyde are the Barrow gang.
I'm sure you all have read
How they rob and steal
And those who squeal
Are usually found dying or dead."
I like the last two verses... I remember them.
"They don't think they're too smart,
They know the law always wins;
They've been shot at before,
But they do not ignore
That death is the wages of sin.
Some day they'll go down together;
They'll bury them side by side;
To few it'll be grief--
To the law a relief--
But still it is death for Bonnie and Clyde."
Ken

Thanks Ken. Fascinating!

John

[hank alrich]

Post by John Sorell

Post by Ken Cashion
Dad knew most every one in that area and Bonnie's mother gave my dad a
copy of a poem that Bonnie had sent her. The copy was glued inside my
dad's National Guard foot locker. I ended up with the foot locker and
over time it came apart. Inside the top of the locker was the
newspaper clippings of them getting killed (with pictures) and beside
that was the poem. I only remember the first part...it is long and I
used to know it all.
"You've read the story of Jesse James--
Of how he lived and died;
If you're still in need
Of something to read
Here's the story of Bonnie and Clyde.
Now Bonnie and Clyde are the Barrow gang.
I'm sure you all have read
How they rob and steal
And those who squeal
Are usually found dying or dead."
I like the last two verses... I remember them.
"They don't think they're too smart,
They know the law always wins;
They've been shot at before,
But they do not ignore
That death is the wages of sin.
Some day they'll go down together;
They'll bury them side by side;
To few it'll be grief--
To the law a relief--
But still it is death for Bonnie and Clyde."
Ken

Thanks Ken. Fascinating!

And since it's just begging outloud for a melody, maybe young Ken can
pull the rest of the lyrics out of his hat! I can see it all now...

"Lyrics by Bonnie Parker; Music by EC Somethingorother"

[Ken Cashion]

Post by hank alrich

Post by John Sorell

Post by Ken Cashion
Dad knew most every one in that area and Bonnie's mother gave my dad a
copy of a poem that Bonnie had sent her. The copy was glued inside my
dad's National Guard foot locker. I ended up with the foot locker and
over time it came apart. Inside the top of the locker was the
newspaper clippings of them getting killed (with pictures) and beside
that was the poem. I only remember the first part...it is long and I
used to know it all.
"You've read the story of Jesse James--
Of how he lived and died;
If you're still in need
Of something to read
Here's the story of Bonnie and Clyde.
Now Bonnie and Clyde are the Barrow gang.
I'm sure you all have read
How they rob and steal
And those who squeal
Are usually found dying or dead."
I like the last two verses... I remember them.
"They don't think they're too smart,
They know the law always wins;
They've been shot at before,
But they do not ignore
That death is the wages of sin.
Some day they'll go down together;
They'll bury them side by side;
To few it'll be grief--
To the law a relief--
But still it is death for Bonnie and Clyde."
Ken

Thanks Ken. Fascinating!

And since it's just begging outloud for a melody, maybe young Ken can
pull the rest of the lyrics out of his hat! I can see it all now...
"Lyrics by Bonnie Parker; Music by EC Somethingorother"

I am sure the poem is on-line and the best tune you could find would
be to listen to several Woody Guthrie songs (by Woody Guthrie) and I
think an old standard tune would reveal itself.

It shouldn't have a bunch of minors or soul barring or be
judgmental...it is a simple poem from a scared young, passionate
woman, and our remembering the times, and that the whole gang were
folk heroes...that is the way the tune should go.

Think of Guthrie doing "Jessie James" -- that would be the right sound
of the 1930s and would fit the best. "The 1913 Massacre" fits almost
the way it is.

"Lyrics by Bonnie Parker; Music from Woody Guthrie traditional tune."

Of course, it could be a screaming, breast-beating, near-percussive
new-wave sound... <g>

Ken

[Greg Thomas]

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:04:03 GMT, "Greg Thomas"

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't particularly
musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical endeavors when
growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

My mom sang gospel at the sink -- always -- if the radio wasn't on.
If we got in our '36 Ford and the trip took over an hour, we would
hear my dad sing, "Rowdy But Right," "Ace In The Hole," and "My Rough
and Rowdy Days." He would do some Jimmy Rodgers for encores. These
would be repeated each hour or so. (I do these songs now as a
medley.)
My dad liked songs about what he knew...born into a big family...dirt
poor...brother killed himself in front of his mom...his dad was shot
and brought home to die...another brother killed jumping a
boxcar...stuck in an orphans home to grow up...as a teen, had a gang
of hoodlums in Cleburne, TX, (that even made the newspapers a few
times)...friend to Clyde Barrow and Mary Martin (figure that one out).
Then my mama tamed him.
I believed my daddy. (I obeyed him, too. <g>)
Nobody in the home played an instrument until I bought the True Tone
at the Western Auto Store. My first ply guitar. <g>
Ken- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

Ken -

If you haven't already you need to write a book. If you don't want to
write a book, I'll bring a recorder to the next TX gathering and you
can just spend a few hours talking into a mic. I hear about a frillion
great songs in your stories. Mind if I write a few?

Greg

[Ken Cashion]

Post by Greg Thomas

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:04:03 GMT, "Greg Thomas"

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't particularly
musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical endeavors when
growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

My mom sang gospel at the sink -- always -- if the radio wasn't on.
If we got in our '36 Ford and the trip took over an hour, we would
hear my dad sing, "Rowdy But Right," "Ace In The Hole," and "My Rough
and Rowdy Days." He would do some Jimmy Rodgers for encores. These
would be repeated each hour or so. (I do these songs now as a
medley.)
My dad liked songs about what he knew...born into a big family...dirt
poor...brother killed himself in front of his mom...his dad was shot
and brought home to die...another brother killed jumping a
boxcar...stuck in an orphans home to grow up...as a teen, had a gang
of hoodlums in Cleburne, TX, (that even made the newspapers a few
times)...friend to Clyde Barrow and Mary Martin (figure that one out).
Then my mama tamed him.
I believed my daddy. (I obeyed him, too. <g>)
Nobody in the home played an instrument until I bought the True Tone
at the Western Auto Store. My first ply guitar. <g>
Ken- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

Ken -
If you haven't already you need to write a book.

I have, but just not about that. <g> People writing about their
families is always trying, and publishing it is like what they say
about publishing poetry..."Publishing a book of verse is like dropping
a rose petal down Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo." <g>

Post by Greg Thomas
If you don't want to
write a book, I'll bring a recorder to the next TX gathering and you
can just spend a few hours talking into a mic.

I have finally rounded up the newspaper clippings of my grandfather's
death. It is so strange by today's standards. They did what they did
then. They didn't take him to the hospital or a doctor's office, but
brought him home and carried him in to his bed. There was no dressing
on the head wound. The doctor was brought to the house and he just
told them to pray for his soul because it would soon depart his body.
It did.

Post by Greg Thomas
I hear about a frillion
great songs in your stories. Mind if I write a few?

Have at it.

My dad's brother was depressed about getting a foot crippled up and
because of his limp, his sweetheart dumped him. He was real sad for a
while and then it occurred to his mom that he was going to the barn
with a small sack. She followed him out there and when she walked in,
he had the pistol barrel in his mouth. He took it out and said,
"Mama, I am sorry but I can't live this way."

Then, I guess in embarrassment, he pulled his cap down over his face
so he couldn't see her and she couldn't see his face, and he put the
pistol barrel under the cap and into his mouth and pulled the trigger.
It was a .38 police special so it was thorough.

Life was tough back then.

Ken

[MBarnett]

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever.

Oooh! I just thought of a story my mom told me years ago! Her grandfather was
apparently a fairly accomplished musician, and had a closet where he kept his
fiddle, a guitar, some harmonicas, and either a hurdy-gurdy or nickelharpe
(nykelharpa). Mom thinks it had a hand-crank at the base, which would make it a
hurdy-gurdy. Anyway, her grandfather would load his instruments into the buggy
on Friday or Saturday evening and head off to play at local barn dances. It
didn't seem to matter if he had too much to drink at the dance, because more
than once he was loaded (along with his instruments) into the buggy, and found
asleep in the buggy the next morning after his horse made its way back to its
own barn. :-)

Monte

[Jim McCrain]

On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:04:03 GMT, "Greg Thomas"

Post by Greg Thomas
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't particularly
musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical endeavors when
growing up.

I grew up in a very musical family. Not playing instruments, but
singing, instead. Whenever the McCrains had a family reunion, the
church quoir would really swell! All of us were encouraged to sing:
If your going to sing, sing BIG! Those of you who have heard me, know
that I took that statement to heart!

When I first decided to join the band in grade-school, my father
rushed out and bought my first violin. Then, when I decided to play
the drums (the next year), he supported that too. I'm glad he did,
because I played drums/percussion for the next 20 years, even paying
for college with them.

The switch to guitars, about 13 years ago, was a BIG SURPRISE to the
entire family. But, they all supported me, and actually come out to
hear me when I play!

By the way, I still have the drum-head from my very first drum! It's
hanging on the wall right now!

Cheers!

Jim McCrain

[Ed Edelenbos]

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom,
dad, whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't
particularly musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical
endeavors when growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

I don't remember my mom ever playing anything other than the radio. Her dad
played the accordian (and piano if I remember correctly.) My dad was the
sort who could pick up anything and play something on it. Classical and
ragtime piano, accordian, mandolin (Italian music), uke, etc. He was pretty
good on piano. If the stories are true (from his father and his relatives
in Amsterdam when we visited), his first job was playing piano at a
whorehouse in Amsterdam at around age 10. Again, if the stories are true,
his father also played at the same place. Apparently in Korea (and Japan
after the Korean war) my dad supplemented of his living playing music (with
emphasis on Ukulele). As a kid we always had instruments in the house.
Over the years he was the music and/or choir director at various churches we
were members of. My dad showed my some uke chords at an early age. My
brother and I both played violin as kids and I played trumpet. I got into
(mostly electric) guitar in the early 70's, right around the time my mom was
diagnosed with cancer. Then I got into keyboards and synths and musique
concrete. Actually once I got an amplifier, I got little encouragement in
music.... My dad didn't discourage me but when I showed an interest in
playing for income he made a point of letting me know how tough it was and
advised me to pursue something else. Luckily, the electronics I got
interested in to make music with was a gateway to a career doing something
useful, or well... something that offered a paycheck at least. (grin)
Neither my sister or brother really showed an interest in music until my
brother recently started talking banjo. My wife learned piano early and is
a trained oboist. She played with the Cleveland Symphony for a year or 2
and played oboe and sax in rock bands and studio stuff years ago. She did a
bunch of MUZAK stuff at one point.

I'm not pushing my kids into it. They seem to be showing an interest. Any
lessons they want on any instrument is available and they know it. They all
sing. My eldest daughter has a beauty of a voice... I'd like to see her
work on it and I offer gentle encouragement. My middle daughter is showing
an interest in visual art right now. Actually, my son is showing a real
interest in keyboards (piano mostly) and he works out some cool stuff on his
own. Not just "my kids a genius" stuff...
I think his "brand" of autism makes him see patterns and relationships on
the keyboard a certain way. One day I'm going to have to try to match him
up with a music teacher/therapist who he can mesh with. Mostly, I'm hoping
the talent has skipped a generation and one of them has "it".

Ed

[betsey]

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom,
dad, whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't
particularly musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical
endeavors when growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

I don't remember my mom ever playing anything other than the radio. �Her dad
played the accordian (and piano if I remember correctly.) �My dad was the
sort who could pick up anything and play something on it. �Classical and
ragtime piano, accordian, mandolin (Italian music), uke, etc. �He was pretty
good on piano. �If the stories are true (from his father and his relatives
in Amsterdam when we visited), his first job was playing piano at a
whorehouse in Amsterdam at around age 10. �Again, if the stories are true,
his father also played at the same place. �Apparently in Korea (and Japan
after the Korean war) my dad supplemented of his living playing music (with
emphasis on Ukulele). �As a kid we always had instruments in the house.
Over the years he was the music and/or choir director at various churches we
were members of. �My dad showed my some uke chords at an early age. �My
brother and I both played violin as kids and I played trumpet. �I got into
(mostly electric) guitar in the early 70's, right around the time my mom was
diagnosed with cancer. �Then I got into keyboards and synths and musique
concrete. �Actually once I got an amplifier, I got little encouragement in
music.... �My dad didn't discourage me but when I showed an interest in
playing for income he made a point of letting me know how tough it was and
advised me to pursue something else. �Luckily, the electronics I got
interested in to make music with was a gateway to a career doing something
useful, or well... �something that offered a paycheck at least. �(grin)
Neither my sister or brother really showed an interest in music until my
brother recently started talking banjo. �My wife learned piano early and is
a trained oboist. �She played with the Cleveland Symphony for a year or 2
and played oboe and sax in rock bands and studio stuff years ago. �She did a
bunch of MUZAK stuff at one point.
I'm not pushing my kids into it. �They seem to be showing an interest. �Any
lessons they want on any instrument is available and they know it. �They all
sing. �My eldest daughter has a beauty of a voice... �I'd like to see her
work on it and I offer gentle encouragement. �My middle daughter is showing
an interest in visual art right now. �Actually, my son is showing a real
interest in keyboards (piano mostly) and he works out some cool stuff on his
own. �Not just "my kids a genius" stuff...
I think his "brand" of autism makes him see patterns and relationships on
the keyboard a certain way. �One day I'm going to have to try to match him
up with a music teacher/therapist who he can mesh with. �Mostly, I'm hoping
the talent has skipped a generation and one of them has "it".
Ed- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

what a great thread!

My grandmother played piano...taught lessons, ect. SInce she lived in
maryland when i was small, didn't really get any piano lessons. In
her younger days she played piano on the radio-was in a few
groups...things like that. Was friends with Charlie Byrd and Herb
Ellis....

Growing up, My parents supported music, but didn't play anything. My
sister played flute until she quit in 7th or 8th grade, then i played
it (hey, the flute was there!) I went on to play sax, and oboe as well
in high school. I started guitar in middle school, parents bought me
my Guild....then i stopped playing.

I picked it up a few years ago...wtih the encouragment from you
folks. and switched to classical (due to Larry's (madgamer) prodding
and donation of the TPOS classical). So, now, with a dred, a
classical and the new OM, I think maybe i am a classical player who
likes a steel string sound??

Right now, katie had started guitar a few years ago, and stopped. I'm
not pushing. she has her own, a washburn dred, that is really quite a
nice guitar...and she has fallen in love with the OM. Nate has a uke,
and last year we added a piano to the house. None of us play, but
fred wants to take some lessons...and I notice that Nate, at 5, does
not go over to the piano and bang on it, but is actually trying to get
songs to come out of it...i will hear him doodle on it...listen, and
then doodle some more and add to it. I think HE may be the one with
talent....

betsey

[Misifus]

Post by betsey
...and I notice that Nate, at 5, does
not go over to the piano and bang on it, but is actually trying to get
songs to come out of it...i will hear him doodle on it...listen, and
then doodle some more and add to it. I think HE may be the one with
talent....

Has Nate outgrown being the "Nate Bomb"?

-Raf
--
Misifus-
Rafael Seibert
mailto:***@suddenlink.net
blog: http://rafsrincon.blogspot.com/
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafiii
home: http://www.rafandsioux.com

[MBarnett]

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl. Our home
was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss waltzes, Chet
Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light, etc.. Both of my sisters took piano lessons
for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older brother took trumpet
lessons, but quit after a couple of years also. Although my mom has a very nice
(and large!) electronic organ, she rarely plays. My younger brother still has a
nice Gretsch drum kit and a couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to
become so overwhelmed with obligations that he never has time to play .... a
shame, too, as he was once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an
addict. I play guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is
my refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.

On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano accordion. My
local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored accordion band,
and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half his size, is her daddy
at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play just about anything after
hearing it a couple of times. He played up until his death in '64, and the
bed-time routine at her home involved Daddy playing polkas and popular songs,
accompanied by her mom on echo harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of
their bedrooms. Cheri and her older sister took accordion lessons, and her
middle sister played clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays
(keyboards and harmony vocals now).

We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest son,
but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he switched to piano.
He has a great ear and ability for playing music, but rarely plays the guitar I
bought him. The youngest played flute in school band for several years, and has
a guitar that he noodles on, but neither of them really have any "drive" to
play.

Monte

[Steven Bornfeld]

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl. Our
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...

Steve


etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and a
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed with
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he was
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano accordion.
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri and
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music, but
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on, but
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

[Ken Cashion]

On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:57:57 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl. Our
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...
Steve

Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.

OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.

You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.

Ken, smarting a little.

Post by Steven Bornfeld
etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and a
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed with
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he was
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano accordion.
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri and
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music, but
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on, but
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

[Steven Bornfeld]

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:57:57 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl. Our
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...
Steve

Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

If it makes you feel better Ken, I know for whom "Bicycle Built for
Two" was written for.

Steve

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld
etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and a
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed with
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he was
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano accordion.
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri and
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music, but
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on, but
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

[Ken Cashion]

On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 23:07:23 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:57:57 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl. Our
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...
Steve

Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

If it makes you feel better Ken, I know for whom "Bicycle Built for
Two" was written for.
Steve

I assume it was someone named Daisy...girl, probably. Tell me it
wasn't your sister.

Ken

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld
etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and a
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed with
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he was
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano accordion.
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri and
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music, but
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on, but
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

[Steven Bornfeld]

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 23:07:23 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:57:57 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl. Our
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...
Steve

Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

If it makes you feel better Ken, I know for whom "Bicycle Built for
Two" was written for.
Steve

I assume it was someone named Daisy...girl, probably. Tell me it
wasn't your sister.
Ken

No, it was (somewhat apocryphally) written for Bobby Walthour, a
cycling champion of the era, and progenitor to a rather remarkable
dynasty of cycling champs.

http://www.oldbike.com/Walthour.html

http://www.sixdaybicyclerace.com/photo_eight.htm

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,757162,00.html?iid=chix-sphere

Steve

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld
etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and a
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed with
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he was
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano accordion.
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri and
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music, but
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on, but
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

[Tom from Texas]

I was staying out of this thread because it brings up some old memories....
some sad and some hurtful. But here goes....

I had a musical family of sort growing up... at least, on my dad's side. He
had several brothers and sisters up in the Oklahoma Ozarks and all the
families would get together on Saturday night to play cards and dominoes,
then someone would pull out a guitar and other instruments to sing and
dance. My dad could play a little guitar and harmonica and sing off key
(yep, I was lucky enough to inherit his voice) and dance. My Aunt Nova
actually played and sang professionally during the Depression. She had some
songs she wrote stolen from her by guys in Nashville. She's the relative
who inspired me to play music. She kept me when I was a toddler; she'd sing
and play for me, then try to get me to sing along.

When I got older, I got a guitar and took lessons. My dad encouraged me a
little but the rest of the immediate family kidded me and told me how bad I
was. So for a long time I just played in my room by myself.

My wife is quite the musician and singer. My older daughter can sing but
never really took up an instrument. My younger daughter can really sing and
plunks around on the electric bass. The dog and cat do their own thing.
--
Tom from Texas
(The Tom Risner Fund for Deserving North Texas Guitarplayers is not liable
for any slander, hurt feelings, pointless moaning, or achy-breaky heartache
any
post under this name should cause. Yall want some easy cash or sympathy...
ya can kiss my grits!! )

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:57:57 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl. Our
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...
Steve

Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

If it makes you feel better Ken, I know for whom "Bicycle Built for
Two" was written for.
Steve

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld
etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and a
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed with
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he was
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano accordion.
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri and
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music, but
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on, but
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

[c***@gmail.com]

Tom, Could you say more about your Aunt Nova? I am wondering if she is the same Nova Risner of Zeb and Mandy Perkins?

Post by Tom from Texas
I was staying out of this thread because it brings up some old memories....
some sad and some hurtful. But here goes....
I had a musical family of sort growing up... at least, on my dad's side. He
had several brothers and sisters up in the Oklahoma Ozarks and all the
families would get together on Saturday night to play cards and dominoes,
then someone would pull out a guitar and other instruments to sing and
dance. My dad could play a little guitar and harmonica and sing off key
(yep, I was lucky enough to inherit his voice) and dance. My Aunt Nova
actually played and sang professionally during the Depression. She had some
songs she wrote stolen from her by guys in Nashville. She's the relative
who inspired me to play music. She kept me when I was a toddler; she'd sing
and play for me, then try to get me to sing along.
When I got older, I got a guitar and took lessons. My dad encouraged me a
little but the rest of the immediate family kidded me and told me how bad I
was. So for a long time I just played in my room by myself.
My wife is quite the musician and singer. My older daughter can sing but
never really took up an instrument. My younger daughter can really sing and
plunks around on the electric bass. The dog and cat do their own thing.
--
Tom from Texas
(The Tom Risner Fund for Deserving North Texas Guitarplayers is not liable
for any slander, hurt feelings, pointless moaning, or achy-breaky heartache
any
post under this name should cause. Yall want some easy cash or sympathy...
ya can kiss my grits!! )

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:57:57 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl.

Our

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...
Steve

Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

If it makes you feel better Ken, I know for whom "Bicycle Built for
Two" was written for.
Steve

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld
etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and

a

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed

with

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he

was

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano

accordion.

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri

and

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

[Tom from Texas]

Post by c***@gmail.com
Tom, Could you say more about your Aunt Nova? I am wondering if she is the same Nova Risner of Zeb and Mandy Perkins?

Her husband was named Chick or at least that's what the family called him. Never got the last name. She sang and played guitar. From what I remember, they had a few different stage names as was the habit back then. I'll check with my mother. She might remember more than I do.

Tom from Texas

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by Tom from Texas
I was staying out of this thread because it brings up some old memories....
some sad and some hurtful. But here goes....
I had a musical family of sort growing up... at least, on my dad's side. He
had several brothers and sisters up in the Oklahoma Ozarks and all the
families would get together on Saturday night to play cards and dominoes,
then someone would pull out a guitar and other instruments to sing and
dance. My dad could play a little guitar and harmonica and sing off key
(yep, I was lucky enough to inherit his voice) and dance. My Aunt Nova
actually played and sang professionally during the Depression. She had some
songs she wrote stolen from her by guys in Nashville. She's the relative
who inspired me to play music. She kept me when I was a toddler; she'd sing
and play for me, then try to get me to sing along.
When I got older, I got a guitar and took lessons. My dad encouraged me a
little but the rest of the immediate family kidded me and told me how bad I
was. So for a long time I just played in my room by myself.
My wife is quite the musician and singer. My older daughter can sing but
never really took up an instrument. My younger daughter can really sing and
plunks around on the electric bass. The dog and cat do their own thing.
--
Tom from Texas
(The Tom Risner Fund for Deserving North Texas Guitarplayers is not liable
for any slander, hurt feelings, pointless moaning, or achy-breaky heartache
any
post under this name should cause. Yall want some easy cash or sympathy...
ya can kiss my grits!! )

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:57:57 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl.

Our

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...
Steve

Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

If it makes you feel better Ken, I know for whom "Bicycle Built for
Two" was written for.
Steve

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld
etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and

a

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed

with

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he

was

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano

accordion.

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri

and

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

[c***@gmail.com]

Hi, Tom,

Zeb, my Uncle Cal, married my aunt after he and Mandy were divorced. I have put up a memorial to Nova on Fold3. My aunt adored your Aunt Nova. I grew up knowing Nova as Mandy. My aunt always talked lovingly about Mandy. She said Mandy stood as her matron of honor when she married Uncle Cal. The business manager wanted my aunt to use the same stage name as Nova, Mandy, when she finally joined my uncle on stage, but she refused because, as she said to me, she felt it was disrespectful to Mandy's contribution to entertainment. My aunt took the stage name of Cousin Easy instead, and in her later years, made it clear to me that she did not want people to confuse her with Mandy. She wanted Mandy to be remembered and not lost in history. I would love to correspond with you. Please contact me through my post gmail or if you have an Ancestry.com account, I am on there too. My aunt left pictures which I can copy for your family. I am actually surprised she had anything to survive because living on the road is rough on paper. My aunt has passed now, but I know she would have loved to have met you. Charla

Post by Tom from Texas

Post by c***@gmail.com
Tom, Could you say more about your Aunt Nova? I am wondering if she is the same Nova Risner of Zeb and Mandy Perkins?

Her husband was named Chick or at least that's what the family called him. Never got the last name. She sang and played guitar. From what I remember, they had a few different stage names as was the habit back then. I'll check with my mother. She might remember more than I do.
Tom from Texas

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by Tom from Texas
I was staying out of this thread because it brings up some old memories....
some sad and some hurtful. But here goes....
I had a musical family of sort growing up... at least, on my dad's side. He
had several brothers and sisters up in the Oklahoma Ozarks and all the
families would get together on Saturday night to play cards and dominoes,
then someone would pull out a guitar and other instruments to sing and
dance. My dad could play a little guitar and harmonica and sing off key
(yep, I was lucky enough to inherit his voice) and dance. My Aunt Nova
actually played and sang professionally during the Depression. She had some
songs she wrote stolen from her by guys in Nashville. She's the relative
who inspired me to play music. She kept me when I was a toddler; she'd sing
and play for me, then try to get me to sing along.
When I got older, I got a guitar and took lessons. My dad encouraged me a
little but the rest of the immediate family kidded me and told me how bad I
was. So for a long time I just played in my room by myself.
My wife is quite the musician and singer. My older daughter can sing but
never really took up an instrument. My younger daughter can really sing and
plunks around on the electric bass. The dog and cat do their own thing.
--
Tom from Texas
(The Tom Risner Fund for Deserving North Texas Guitarplayers is not liable
for any slander, hurt feelings, pointless moaning, or achy-breaky heartache
any
post under this name should cause. Yall want some easy cash or sympathy...
ya can kiss my grits!! )

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:57:57 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl.

Our

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...
Steve

Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

If it makes you feel better Ken, I know for whom "Bicycle Built for
Two" was written for.
Steve

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld
etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and

a

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed

with

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he

was

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano

accordion.

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri

and

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

[Charla Helmers]

Post by c***@gmail.com
Hi, Tom,
Zeb, my Uncle Cal, married my aunt after he and Mandy were divorced. I have put up a memorial to Nova on Fold3. My aunt adored your Aunt Nova. I grew up knowing Nova as Mandy. My aunt always talked lovingly about Mandy. She said Mandy stood as her matron of honor when she married Uncle Cal. The business manager wanted my aunt to use the same stage name as Nova, Mandy, when she finally joined my uncle on stage, but she refused because, as she said to me, she felt it was disrespectful to Mandy's contribution to entertainment. My aunt took the stage name of Cousin Easy instead, and in her later years, made it clear to me that she did not want people to confuse her with Mandy. She wanted Mandy to be remembered and not lost in history. I would love to correspond with you. Please contact me through my post gmail or if you have an Ancestry.com account, I am on there too. My aunt left pictures which I can copy for your family. I am actually surprised she had anything to survive because living on the road is rough on paper. My aunt has passed now, but I know she would have loved to have met you. Charla

Post by Tom from Texas

Post by c***@gmail.com
Tom, Could you say more about your Aunt Nova? I am wondering if she is the same Nova Risner of Zeb and Mandy Perkins?

Her husband was named Chick or at least that's what the family called him. Never got the last name. She sang and played guitar. From what I remember, they had a few different stage names as was the habit back then. I'll check with my mother. She might remember more than I do.
Tom from Texas

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by Tom from Texas
I was staying out of this thread because it brings up some old memories....
some sad and some hurtful. But here goes....
I had a musical family of sort growing up... at least, on my dad's side. He
had several brothers and sisters up in the Oklahoma Ozarks and all the
families would get together on Saturday night to play cards and dominoes,
then someone would pull out a guitar and other instruments to sing and
dance. My dad could play a little guitar and harmonica and sing off key
(yep, I was lucky enough to inherit his voice) and dance. My Aunt Nova
actually played and sang professionally during the Depression. She had some
songs she wrote stolen from her by guys in Nashville. She's the relative
who inspired me to play music. She kept me when I was a toddler; she'd sing
and play for me, then try to get me to sing along.
When I got older, I got a guitar and took lessons. My dad encouraged me a
little but the rest of the immediate family kidded me and told me how bad I
was. So for a long time I just played in my room by myself.
My wife is quite the musician and singer. My older daughter can sing but
never really took up an instrument. My younger daughter can really sing and
plunks around on the electric bass. The dog and cat do their own thing.
--
Tom from Texas
(The Tom Risner Fund for Deserving North Texas Guitarplayers is not liable
for any slander, hurt feelings, pointless moaning, or achy-breaky heartache
any
post under this name should cause. Yall want some easy cash or sympathy...
ya can kiss my grits!! )

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:57:57 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl.

Our

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...
Steve

Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

If it makes you feel better Ken, I know for whom "Bicycle Built for
Two" was written for.
Steve

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld
etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and

a

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed

with

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he

was

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano

accordion.

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri

and

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

Hi, Tom,
Zeb, my Uncle Cal, married my aunt after he and Mandy were divorced. I have put up a memorial to Nova on Fold3. My aunt adored your Aunt Nova. I grew up knowing Nova as Mandy. My aunt always talked lovingly about Mandy. She said Mandy stood as her matron of honor when she married Uncle Cal. The business manager wanted my aunt to use the same stage name as Nova, Mandy, when she finally joined my uncle on stage, but she refused because, as she said to me, she felt it was disrespectful to Mandy's contribution to entertainment. My aunt took the stage name of Cousin Easy instead, and in her later years, made it clear to me that she did not want people to confuse her with Mandy. She wanted Mandy to be remembered and not lost in history. I would love to correspond with you. Please contact me through my post gmail or if you have an Ancestry.com account, I am on there too. My aunt left pictures which I can copy for your family. I am actually surprised she had anything to survive because living on the road is rough on paper. My aunt has passed now, but I know she would have loved to have met you. Charla

Post by Tom from Texas

Post by c***@gmail.com
Tom, Could you say more about your Aunt Nova? I am wondering if she is the same Nova Risner of Zeb and Mandy Perkins?

Her husband was named Chick or at least that's what the family called him. Never got the last name. She sang and played guitar. From what I remember, they had a few different stage names as was the habit back then. I'll check with my mother. She might remember more than I do.
Tom from Texas

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by Tom from Texas
I was staying out of this thread because it brings up some old memories....
some sad and some hurtful. But here goes....
I had a musical family of sort growing up... at least, on my dad's side. He
had several brothers and sisters up in the Oklahoma Ozarks and all the
families would get together on Saturday night to play cards and dominoes,
then someone would pull out a guitar and other instruments to sing and
dance. My dad could play a little guitar and harmonica and sing off key
(yep, I was lucky enough to inherit his voice) and dance. My Aunt Nova
actually played and sang professionally during the Depression. She had some
songs she wrote stolen from her by guys in Nashville. She's the relative
who inspired me to play music. She kept me when I was a toddler; she'd sing
and play for me, then try to get me to sing along.
When I got older, I got a guitar and took lessons. My dad encouraged me a
little but the rest of the immediate family kidded me and told me how bad I
was. So for a long time I just played in my room by myself.
My wife is quite the musician and singer. My older daughter can sing but
never really took up an instrument. My younger daughter can really sing and
plunks around on the electric bass. The dog and cat do their own thing.
--
Tom from Texas
(The Tom Risner Fund for Deserving North Texas Guitarplayers is not liable
for any slander, hurt feelings, pointless moaning, or achy-breaky heartache
any
post under this name should cause. Yall want some easy cash or sympathy...
ya can kiss my grits!! )

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:57:57 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl.

Our

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...
Steve

Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

If it makes you feel better Ken, I know for whom "Bicycle Built for
Two" was written for.
Steve

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld
etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and

a

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed

with

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he

was

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano

accordion.

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri

and

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

[Tom from Texas]

Post by c***@gmail.com
Tom, Could you say more about your Aunt Nova? I am wondering if she is the same Nova Risner of Zeb and Mandy Perkins?

Hey, I checked with my mom and she says that Nova was the Nova Risner in Zeb and Mandy Perkins. Chick's last name was Nelson. They played all over the country and opened for some big names like Chet Atkins. They stopped playing in the '50s; so how did you know about them? My mom wants to know how old you are to remember them.

If you have any stories to tell, I'd like to hear them.

Tom from Texas, loving nephew of Aunt Nova Risner

Post by c***@gmail.com

Post by Tom from Texas
I was staying out of this thread because it brings up some old memories....
some sad and some hurtful. But here goes....
I had a musical family of sort growing up... at least, on my dad's side. He
had several brothers and sisters up in the Oklahoma Ozarks and all the
families would get together on Saturday night to play cards and dominoes,
then someone would pull out a guitar and other instruments to sing and
dance. My dad could play a little guitar and harmonica and sing off key
(yep, I was lucky enough to inherit his voice) and dance. My Aunt Nova
actually played and sang professionally during the Depression. She had some
songs she wrote stolen from her by guys in Nashville. She's the relative
who inspired me to play music. She kept me when I was a toddler; she'd sing
and play for me, then try to get me to sing along.
When I got older, I got a guitar and took lessons. My dad encouraged me a
little but the rest of the immediate family kidded me and told me how bad I
was. So for a long time I just played in my room by myself.
My wife is quite the musician and singer. My older daughter can sing but
never really took up an instrument. My younger daughter can really sing and
plunks around on the electric bass. The dog and cat do their own thing.
--
Tom from Texas
(The Tom Risner Fund for Deserving North Texas Guitarplayers is not liable
for any slander, hurt feelings, pointless moaning, or achy-breaky heartache
any
post under this name should cause. Yall want some easy cash or sympathy...
ya can kiss my grits!! )

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:57:57 GMT, Steven Bornfeld

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters,
mom, dad, whatever.

Both of my parents loved music, and my mom played piano as a girl.

Our

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
home was regularly filled with the sounds of Glenn Miller, Strauss
waltzes, Chet Atkins, Herb Alpert, Enoch Light,

Ah, Enoch Light and the Light Brigade--I remember my dad's early
low-end audiophile inclinations, with the bongos bouncing from left to
right to demonstrate the separation of channels...
Steve

Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

If it makes you feel better Ken, I know for whom "Bicycle Built for
Two" was written for.
Steve

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld
etc.. Both of my sisters

Post by MBarnett
took piano lessons for a few years, but never stuck with it. My older
brother took trumpet lessons, but quit after a couple of years also.
Although my mom has a very nice (and large!) electronic organ, she
rarely plays. My younger brother still has a nice Gretsch drum kit and

a

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
couple of guitars, but has allowed himself to become so overwhelmed

with

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
obligations that he never has time to play .... a shame, too, as he

was

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
once a very good drummer. That leaves me, and I'm an addict. I play
guitar every day, even if it's only for a few minutes. Music is my
refuge; my hiding place; my escape from the world.
On Cheri's side, her dad was pretty much a prodigy on piano

accordion.

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
My local music store has a picture of the (once) store-sponsored
accordion band, and in the front row, holding an accordion that's half
his size, is her daddy at about 8 years old. Cheri says he could play
just about anything after hearing it a couple of times. He played up
until his death in '64, and the bed-time routine at her home involved
Daddy playing polkas and popular songs, accompanied by her mom on echo
harp, marching Cheri & her sisters to each of their bedrooms. Cheri

and

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
her older sister took accordion lessons, and her middle sister played
clarinet, but Cheri is the only one who still plays (keyboards and
harmony vocals now).
We encouraged our sons to play. I took violin lessons with our oldest
son, but the teacher we had was too much for either of us, so he
switched to piano. He has a great ear and ability for playing music,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
rarely plays the guitar I bought him. The youngest played flute in
school band for several years, and has a guitar that he noodles on,

but

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Ken Cashion

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by MBarnett
neither of them really have any "drive" to play.
Monte

[Mike Brown]

Post by Ken Cashion
Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

Get used to it Ken.

Most of the people in the song circles that I attend don't know the
songs that I regard as "new" let alone the standards that I thought
everybody knew, Burke & Van Heusen, Oats & Atwood, Koehler & Arlen, you
know that stuff.

MJRB

[Steven Bornfeld]

Post by Mike Brown

Post by Ken Cashion
Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

Get used to it Ken.
Most of the people in the song circles that I attend don't know the
songs that I regard as "new" let alone the standards that I thought
everybody knew, Burke & Van Heusen, Oats & Atwood, Koehler & Arlen, you
know that stuff.
MJRB

Those will live forever.

Steve
George Gershwin JHS 166, Brooklyn NY class of 1966

[John Sorell]

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Mike Brown

Post by Ken Cashion
Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

Get used to it Ken.
Most of the people in the song circles that I attend don't know the
songs that I regard as "new" let alone the standards that I thought
everybody knew, Burke & Van Heusen, Oats & Atwood, Koehler & Arlen, you
know that stuff.
MJRB

Those will live forever.
Steve
George Gershwin JHS 166, Brooklyn NY class of 1966

My favorite kind of tunes to listen to and to attempt playing.

John

[Mike Brown]

Post by Steven Bornfeld

Post by Mike Brown

Post by Ken Cashion
Will you guys knock it off! I feel old enough as it is. When some
adult starts talking about the OLD days and they are talking about my
music...well, it sorta' hurts.
OK, so just two nights ago I was listening to my LPs of Enoch Light,
Martin Denny, Billy May, Ferrante and Teicher, and Mystic Moods (now
THERE was nice music), I was also listening to modern stuff like Herb
Alpert and Sergio Mendes (& Brasil '66)...mmm...I wonder what year
that Mendes LP was done....so this doesn't mean those that hear this
are ancient...they are...they are...well...they are well-rounded
musically. And they probably have a couple of "101 Guitars of Tommy
Garrett", as well.
You act like this is old music. "Bicycle Built For Two" -- now THAT
is old music.
Ken, smarting a little.

Get used to it Ken.
Most of the people in the song circles that I attend don't know the
songs that I regard as "new" let alone the standards that I thought
everybody knew, Burke & Van Heusen, Oats & Atwood, Koehler & Arlen,
you know that stuff.
MJRB

Those will live forever.
Steve
George Gershwin JHS 166, Brooklyn NY class of 1966

I'll drink to him, and all of the great ones whose songs I sing
(ruin ?).

MJRB

[Ed Maier]

<snip>
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

My mom could play piano and read music; my dad was tone deaf.
None of my siblings are musically inclined. My daughter has
a beautiful voice and my son plays guitar far better than I
do. A few of you have heard him.

Good thread,

Ed Maier

[Misifus]

Post by Greg Thomas
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?

My family was fairly musical. My mother's mother came from a theatrical
family and she played piano and organ for the silent movies. In fact,
she continued to play to entertain folks until she was in her nineties.
My father's father was a well known cellist in the environs of
Pittsburgh, and he also played the baritone horn.

My father played the same baritone horn, and so did I. Both my parents
sang in the church choir and my dad continued to play the baritone with
pickup bands through most of my childhood. I remember being embarrassed
by my dad when he was over eighty. We went to a performance of Messiah,
and dad wanted to sing along on all the baritone parts. It wasn't an
audience participation performance, but dad knew the parts.

We always had music in the house when I was growing up, and I knew a
good bit of classical music from an early age. I was encouraged to play
in the school band as soon as I was eligible.

So, I guess I grew up in a musical family. I hadn't really thought
about it until you asked, Greg.

-Raf
--
Misifus-
Rafael Seibert
mailto:***@suddenlink.net
blog: http://rafsrincon.blogspot.com/
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafiii
home: http://www.rafandsioux.com

[Mike Brown]

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't particularly
musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical endeavors when
growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

My family liked music, my Mother liked Frank Sinatra, and my Father
liked the classics.

They divorced when I was 7.

I started guitar at about 22 in 1956 when I was doing my National
Service in the RAF.

MJRB

[Mike Marquis]

My Mom was not musical at all. My Dad could carry a tune and he taught me
how to whistle. My little brother, Rusty, picked up the guitar at 13 and
showed a lot of talent. My sister could strum a six string and could do some
sing-alongs. My brother, Bob, tried the guitar but had no flair. After Rusty
died I got his guitar and I found I could do more than whistle on key.

My wife has no particular skill on an instrument but can read a little music
and sings on key. My oldest daughter, Jeannette, played Fur Delise (sp?) on
the piano at warp speed, even with a broken finger but never learned much
more because of the finger. My youngest, Carly, has some voice skills and is
an exceptional lyricist.

Mike

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom,
dad, whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't
particularly musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical
endeavors when growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

[Jefferson Holston]

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to
mind. How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom,
dad, whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't
particularly musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical
endeavors when growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

Daddy sang bass. Mama sang tenor... with a comb and some waxed paper I'd
join right in.

While we never had a family band or anything like that (except for
occasional front porch jams), our house has always been quite musical. My
Dad learned guitar back in the '20s from an old Native American man in area.
I don't think he's playing at all this last year or so, but I have the
greatest childhood memories of seeing/hearing him picking when I'd go to bed
and then finding him still playing when I got up in the morning. He had an
older sister who was rather gifted and would, from memory/ear, write out
songs (notation) for him to play when he was a young boy. My Mama was
always the church organist (sometimes pianist) from sometime before I was
born until she died. All the aunts, uncles, and cousins in my family have
some instrumental (mostly guitar) ability.

On the other hand, my older sister was beaten into submission by a horrible
old Stella guitar. She has a good ear and beautiful voice to this day; but
she never picked up an instrument after passing that awful Stella on to me.
Actually, due to the long age gap between us, I think it probably beat her
20ish years before I took posession of it. I had lessons with that finger
torturing thing between the ages of eight and eleven... finally smashed it,
with dear old Dad's permission (he knew!), when I got a playable axe at 11
years old.

Thanks Greg, for such a nice topic. I've really enjoyed the other
responses.

Jeff Holston

[Greg Thomas]

On Mar 18, 11:18 am, "Jefferson Holston"

Post by Jefferson Holston
Thanks Greg, for such a nice topic. I've really enjoyed the other
responses.
Jeff Holston

Yeah, so have I. We had a family reunion for my folks' 50th wedding
anniversary about 5 years ago. Unbeknownst to my parents, my sister
asked if the band (John Sorell, Jan Eitel, and myself) would provide
entertainment. Complete surprise when my parents walked into the hall
and saw the sound system, mics, guitars, mandolins, banjos, basses. I
was 47 years old at the time, and I think it was the first time my
parents had seen me play in at least 30 years. My dad told my sister
later that if he had known I'd still be at it after all these years,
he probably would have encouraged me more when I was a kid.

I've always envied those that grew up in musical families, especially
those that really sing. There's no vocal harmony better than when two
siblings sing together.

Greg

[Bill Chandler]

Post by Greg Thomas
On Mar 18, 11:18 am, "Jefferson Holston"

Post by Jefferson Holston
Thanks Greg, for such a nice topic. I've really enjoyed the other
responses.
Jeff Holston

Yeah, so have I. We had a family reunion for my folks' 50th wedding
anniversary about 5 years ago. Unbeknownst to my parents, my sister
asked if the band (John Sorell, Jan Eitel, and myself) would provide
entertainment. Complete surprise when my parents walked into the hall
and saw the sound system, mics, guitars, mandolins, banjos, basses. I
was 47 years old at the time, and I think it was the first time my
parents had seen me play in at least 30 years. My dad told my sister
later that if he had known I'd still be at it after all these years,
he probably would have encouraged me more when I was a kid.
I've always envied those that grew up in musical families, especially
those that really sing. There's no vocal harmony better than when two
siblings sing together.
Greg

Great story, Greg!

And a great thread.
--------
... A clear conscience is most often a sign of a bad memory.

the above e-mail address remains totally fictional.
the real one is ***@spamTHIS!.concentric.net (if you remove spamTHIS!.)
...please check out my music at http://www.soundclick.com/billchandler some time...
...Pictures and such at http://bc9424.cnc.net/txpicslinks.html

Bill Chandler
...bc...

[Joe Jordan]

I came from a very musical family, and there was always a lot of music
around our house.

My Dad loved country and gospel music, played a little guitar, and
always encouraged my musical endavours. As it says on the RMMGA Web
site, he taught me my first few chords and bought me my first few
guitars--and amps. My Mom has always loved to sing, especially hymns
and kid's songs. There was always singing going on around the house,
especially once I started playing guitar.

My brother Tim, two years my junior, was a natural athlete, and for a
while during his teens channeled that ability plus a love of classic
southern rock into becoming an excellent rock drummer. We played
together in a band from 1974-6, and most of the time we practiced in
my parents' basement. (Mom always said she didn't mind the noise as
long as she knew that we were safely at home.)

Youngest brother, John, seven years my junior, started out on trombone
and ended up as drum major (band leader) in the marching band in high
school, then got into voice (operatic style tenor) and choral
conducting in college. He ended up getting MS degrees in music
education and choral conducting and a Ph.D. in musicology (sacred
music) and teaches music history at a small private university in
Indiana. He has been known to sit down at a piano and play and sing
Billy Joel songs. His family is very musical, as well, and it appears
that at least one nephew is going to be a guitarist (with only gentle
urging from me ;-)).

I also have a musical cousin who was a big influence on me. I think
he's about 10 years older than me, and he played electric guitar in a
band that toured the mid-South, cut a record in Memphis, and appeared
on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour in the mid 1960s, then quit and sold his
electric stuff, and bought new D-28s around 1968, that he's played
ever since. He showed me a lot when I was starting out, and we always
have a big time when we get together. :-)

Joe

[Bill Chandler]

On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:04:03 GMT, "Greg Thomas"

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't particularly
musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical endeavors when
growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

Music was one of the mainstays of my life growing up...I don't think
I'd be alive today without it.

My mother played guitar when she was young (7 or so)...her old guitar
sitting in a closet in our house used to fascinate me when I was very
young. It was cracked and falling apart, but I couldn't keep my hands
off of it. It is still at her house now...if we can just get her back
there.

My father had been a guitar player up until WWII. After the war, he
wouldn't play. My aunt used to tell me about the band he had, and
what they used to do before the war. He would never pick up a guitar
after the war. Except for one time, he picked up my Epiphone 12
shortly after I got her. Just a couple of chords...that's all I ever
saw my father play. I just wish I could understand that. Never have,
obviously now I never will.

So it goes.

We were encouraged in all things musical. (We were encouraged to do
anything....with the proviso that if you're going to do it, DO IT.) My
brother and I both were in the high school band and choir, and went on
to pursue music in college (well, I did, anyway; he dropped out of ISU
and wound up in the Navy).

The kids here all play now. Chris did his first open mic Friday
before last...I took him over to the Duck. They liked him better than
me...and that's OK.

Next day was my 45th birthday...and my wife brought home a sweet
Fender resonator that she knew I'd been lusting after. As usual, Rod
Kersey kept it a total secret from me...the guy is good...this
resonator was brought in on consignment, and cheap...but the little
plastic cover was still on the truss rod cover...

I'm rambling. I think I need another beer.

Musical family...yeah. Wouldn't trade it for the world. It was, I
suppose, inevitable that I'd wind up where I am: selflessly dedicated
to the art of drinking, and hopelessly addicted to music (with a tip
o' the hat to Professor Schickele).

Enough babble...beer and bed...
--------
"Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis." -- Jack Handy

the above e-mail address remains totally fictional.
the real one is ***@spamTHIS!.concentric.net (if you remove spamTHIS!.)
...please check out my music at http://www.soundclick.com/billchandler some time...
...Pictures and such at http://bc9424.cnc.net/txpicslinks.html

Bill Chandler
...bc...

[Misifus]

Post by Ken Cashion
On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:04:03 GMT, "Greg Thomas"

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't particularly
musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical endeavors when
growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

Music was one of the mainstays of my life growing up...I don't think
I'd be alive today without it.
My mother played guitar when she was young (7 or so)...her old guitar
sitting in a closet in our house used to fascinate me when I was very
young. It was cracked and falling apart, but I couldn't keep my hands
off of it. It is still at her house now...if we can just get her back
there.
My father had been a guitar player up until WWII. After the war, he
wouldn't play. My aunt used to tell me about the band he had, and
what they used to do before the war. He would never pick up a guitar
after the war. Except for one time, he picked up my Epiphone 12
shortly after I got her. Just a couple of chords...that's all I ever
saw my father play. I just wish I could understand that. Never have,
obviously now I never will.
So it goes.
We were encouraged in all things musical. (We were encouraged to do
anything....with the proviso that if you're going to do it, DO IT.) My
brother and I both were in the high school band and choir, and went on
to pursue music in college (well, I did, anyway; he dropped out of ISU
and wound up in the Navy).
The kids here all play now. Chris did his first open mic Friday
before last...I took him over to the Duck. They liked him better than
me...and that's OK.
Next day was my 45th birthday...and my wife brought home a sweet
Fender resonator that she knew I'd been lusting after. As usual, Rod
Kersey kept it a total secret from me...the guy is good...this
resonator was brought in on consignment, and cheap...but the little
plastic cover was still on the truss rod cover...
I'm rambling. I think I need another beer.
Musical family...yeah. Wouldn't trade it for the world. It was, I
suppose, inevitable that I'd wind up where I am: selflessly dedicated
to the art of drinking, and hopelessly addicted to music (with a tip
o' the hat to Professor Schickele).

Great story, Bill.

-Raf
--
Misifus-
Rafael Seibert
mailto:***@suddenlink.net
blog: http://rafsrincon.blogspot.com/
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafiii
home: http://www.rafandsioux.com

[dick thaxter]

Both my parents enjoyed music. My Mom loved classical music and
always had WGMS (Washington's Good Music Station) on. She loved to
tell the story of how she accompanied her Father (and his mistress who
was my Dad's aunt--long story and I didn't find out this part until
much later) to the 1933 Chicago World's Fair where she saw the Chicago
Symphony playing Wagner with Kirsten Flagstad singing. She wasn't a
great singer but she could hold a tune. My Dad loved folk music--we
had lots of Burl Ives, Weavers, and even South African Veld records
from the 1940's that got played a lot. So during the Big Folk Scare
the whole family was into it. Dad had a guitar, but never learned
more than three chords and couldn't really play those efficiently, but
I took up guitar around age 10 and was playing all folk music in the
early 60's as a young teenager. My sister was a good singer and sang
in HS choir and she played a little guitar too. My younger brother
was always a good singer but never took up music seriously. I
remember my brother and I doing little acts for the family from the
brand new musicals--like A Little Bit of Luck from My Fair Lady. Or
all three of us butchering A Soalin' by PP&M.

When my Dad retired he renewed his musical interest and sang in the
church choir. And as an amateur historian he participated in the
Fredericksburg Musical Society. I remember him doing a presentation
on songs of Stephen Foster and songs of the Civil War. My daughter
Julie (now 33) was a teenager and a good singer and she and I recorded
a bunch of tunes like Goober Peas, Lorena, Listen to the Mockingbird,
Just Before the Battle Mother using a cheap tape recorder. He was so
pleased about how that went and his talk punctuated by the tape was
received. He's been gone for 15 years now, so that must have been
just a few years before he died.

My kids are all musical. Kathy (from my previous marriage) was a
theater kid and did lots of musicals and ended up going to Carnegie
Mellon for drama. Peter worked hard learning to sing--he was not a
natural, but he got a teacher and by high school he was getting leads
in musicals and singing in Madrigals and in Show Choir. Meanwhile he
gave up French Horn for bagpipes and studied them for five years or
so. In college he minored in music and sang in the annual G&S
operettas, in choir one year, and in a national award winning a
capella group called DoubleTake at William & Mary. He now plays guitar
a bit and I got a big kick watching him and his wife doing a "Mitch
and Mickey" song at her grandparents fiftieth anniversary a while
back. Adam did percussion up until 10th grade when he quit band and
joined the great guitar program at our HS. He ended up playing in
advanced classical ensemble and playing bass in the guitar jazz band.
Now he's majoring in music in college and studies classical guitar a
bit. Kathy is a HS senior and has been a top clarinetist in her
schools since she took it up in fifth grade. She's made all district
band in Fairfax all four years which is pretty tough since Fairfax
schools have fantastic band programs. She also taught herself sax to
play in jazz band.

[a***@contractorcom.com]

I don't know where this thread started but presumably someone asked
about music in families.

Father - 25 years as a principal trumpet, 25 years as an orchestra
director.

Uncle - about 25 years playing both classical trumpet in London and
West End shows (Superstar, Evita - all that kind of stuff). Changed
course mid career and is now head of contracts for the BBC. His wife
was a keen semi - pro chorister.

Mother's side - a whole array of people from uncles and aunts who were
Big In The Salvation Army in the South of England - 4 cousins, an
uncle, an aunt. My mother doesn't play anything but her entire
extended family does.

My brother did grade 5 on the trumpet in 6 weeks from a standing start
at age 6. Then he gave it up and became a painter.

My other brother never played anything apart from the stock market and
a fat lot of good it did him...:-)

Me? Guitar hack..!

Pete

[Ken Cashion]

Post by a***@contractorcom.com
I don't know where this thread started but presumably someone asked
about music in families.
Father - 25 years as a principal trumpet, 25 years as an orchestra
director.
Uncle - about 25 years playing both classical trumpet in London and
West End shows (Superstar, Evita - all that kind of stuff). Changed
course mid career and is now head of contracts for the BBC. His wife
was a keen semi - pro chorister.
Mother's side - a whole array of people from uncles and aunts who were
Big In The Salvation Army in the South of England - 4 cousins, an
uncle, an aunt. My mother doesn't play anything but her entire
extended family does.
My brother did grade 5 on the trumpet in 6 weeks from a standing start
at age 6. Then he gave it up and became a painter.
My other brother never played anything apart from the stock market and
a fat lot of good it did him...:-)
Me? Guitar hack..!
Pete

Now, there is the basis of some good stories. Salvation Army Bands?
Wow.

J.C, Super Star/ Evita...pretty serious stuff there.

Thanks for sharing.

Ken

[Chris Dunkle]

On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:04:03 GMT, "Greg Thomas"

Post by Greg Thomas
Chuck's post about his grandfather in the Mojo thread brought this to mind.
How many of us come from musical families? Brothers, sisters, mom, dad,
whatever. Although my mom loved to sing, my family wasn't particularly
musical, and I didn't get much encouragement in my musical endeavors when
growing up.
I envy those that did. I think of all the old-time brother/sister/family
acts: the Monroe Brothers, Blue Sky Boys, Jim & Jesse, Louvin Brothers,
Everly Brothers, Carter Family, to the more modern: the Rice brothers, the
Whites, and on and on.
I know a lot of us picked up a guitar as a result of the great folk scare,
or maybe a little later in garage bands, or maybe from the
singer-songwriters of the late 60s/early 70s.
How many of us just grew up in a musical family?
Greg

OK, I'll ciime in here. Yes, I grew up in a musical family. My parents
met in an orchestra, my mother was a marvelous pianist and my dad
played violin. I mostly remember him playing classical guitar when I
was young. My two oldest sisters were both violinists and played first
chair for the all-city orchestra (we lived in Long Beach, CA), One
still plays first chair violin with an orchestra in San Diego, the
other is lead guitarist and lead singer for a lightweight rock band in
the Orange County area of southern California. The youngest sister
playued viola, then took up piano (wonderful ragtime pieces) and
flute. she is also a wonderful poet and storyteller. My brother and I
kind fo got the short end of the talent stick, we do better playing
the radio for the most part, but I still try to play my guitars on a
regular basis.
chris