Music and Family

For my blog, I decided to interview my grandma, my mom's mom to be exact. I recorded the interview as well as a small conversation in email. The words in italics are mine! Enjoy!

Q: What kind of music did you listen to as a child?

A: Today it would be considered "easy listening". 

Q:  How did you listen to music, i.e. what technology did you use?

A: Radio-the kind that plugged into the wall. On Saturday Mom would watch "American Bandstand" with Dick Clark on TV.  We would watch "The Tom Jones Show"  and Englebert Humperdink.  She really liked them so we got to watch them.  We watched "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Sunday evening.  My parents did not watch it the night the Beatles were on. Mom absolutely loved the Donny and Marie Show and Sonny and Cher. 

Q:  Was there any dancing involved? Why or why not?

A: No dancing.  The only dance I learned was "The Twist" by Chubby Checker.  I was very self conscious.

Q:  What sort of environment did you listen to music in?

A:  Mostly at home with my parents. In high school I was exposed to modern music because of chorus class.  I was a band groupie so I got to hear modern music on the bus trips to and from competitions. I learned about the Beatles in Chorus class.

Q:  How did your parents or teachers feel about your music of choice? 

A: I was only permitted to listen to what they approved of. I know for sure they did not like the Beatles( Wow! Her parents really didn't like The Beatles!). We were only allowed to listen to one radio station-KDKA.  It originated in Pittsbugh, PA.  I guess what ever was on the radio station was okay music.

Q:  What happened once you became the parent or teacher? 

A: I was really strict with my children as to their music choice.  At one point, I discarded all our recordings and only listened to Christian music or classical music. That changed.  The girls Dad listened to artists popular at the time, Billy Joel, Madonna, Bruce Springstein.  The girls had their favorites-Michael Jackson and David Cassidy and Bon Jovi to name a few.  

Q:  Did you play an instrument or sing yourself? How was that for you?

A: I tried the piano for a very short while(I never knew this!).  I enjoyed it.  I was in chorus from 6th grade on.  I remember in sixth grade I was in the running for District Chorus. Only two were picked and I was third. I was really disappointed.  

Q:  What was your musical environment like?

 A: I remember my Mom loved to sing hymms. Her favorite was "In the Garden".   And of course Negro Spiritual.  I got my love of hymns and especially Negro Spiritual from her.  We were so so poor growing up and I often wondered how she could always seem so happy.  As I grew up and would think of her I realized that she not only took delight in the hymns but what they meant.  Because she knew the Lord, she knew the promises in the hymns were real.  She always had a peace about her.

Q:  Why did you listen to music? Were there any situations that caused you to turn to certain kinds of music?

A: In my younger years my exposure was through my parents and church.  After I married and left home, I had a greater exposure to music.  My husband was in the service and music is a very big part of down time. That is when I learned to dance-the bump, the hustle, slow dancing.  Lol!  Grandma had some moves. Also, when we took the girls bowling or anywhere, we were surrounded by music-just as it is now.  Music is everywhere we go and I really enjoy that. 

10. Were you ever exposed to music outside of your own culture? How so, and what was it like?

We spent two years in Sicily(I didn't know this before the interview!).  We were exposed to Sicilian music, but also popular music of the 70's. The Sicilians had their popular artists but also listened to American artists and the classics.  I was surprised to see they liked our music just as we like theirs.  I also took German for 4 years and we learned German songs-ballads, beer hall songs, Christmas carols.  I really liked learning the songs.  Music helps to understand a culture.  Much like the songs that were written during a war portrays the feelings and struggles of a culture during the war.  Tony Orlando wrote "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" during Vietnam War.  Today we see yellow ribbons tied around trees when a loved one has gone to serve his country. Music connects us to the past, present and future.   If you mean music other than popular artists yes-most recently I have been exposed to opera by my most gifted and beautiful granddaughter Rebekah. I relish listening to her sing.  Most of the time I do not know what the words mean, but I can get the feelings portrayed in the piece. Just knowing how much she loves music gives me incredible joy! (I almost cried when she said this to me. It meant so much.) I am so pleased that my grandchildren have a musical talent whether it be an instrument or singing. I love hymns and Negro Spirituals. I also really really enjoy Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, and Manheim Steamroller. I will tap along with the beat of a tune on the radio and I do embarass myself and sing at home to a song on TV.  I cannot imagine a movie without a musical score or a tv show without the music in the background that gives hints as to what is going to happen. I really enjoy music.