Like an old friend whose gentle voice immediately fills your soul so is the song whose first few notes gently pull you into a familiar embrace
Tears and smiles grapple for their rightful place in an emotional response before finally acknowledging the intention was always to coexist
Working together they plant melodic lines and poetic lyrics deep inside the heart of the youngest listener- at first, unaware of their influence
Roots grow, weaving in, out, and around the decisions and experiences of life, creating a sweet, pliable core of awareness always ready for another listen
And then one day…
A familiar chord A long-fade ending like a trusted friend offers a lingering sense of sweet acceptance…a hopeful see you againsoon
Secret of Life by James Taylor Kelley Morris, pianoNever gets old…Sweet Baby James
No memories Of my own With which To compare Only descriptions Heard in Favorite songs Until now… Driving thru Stockbridge Lennox, Lee Witnessing The greens Shining Dreamlike In the Berkshires Quaint towns Connected by Winding roads Surrounded by Rolling hills Under blue skies And moonlight- Each one holding Its own history Of joy and pain Both personal And collective- Places once alive Only in songs Now alive anew As music and Snapshots are Forever forged In my mind
My dad loves classic country music. Growing up, we would always listen to The Grand Ole Opry on AM radio, static and all. Sometimes, it would drive me crazy but thinking about it now makes me smile.
He also had quite a collection of 8 track tapes, all country, that we would listen to in his truck. Charlie Pride, Charlie Rich, Loretta Lynn, and Conway Twitty were some of his favorites. And though I don’t currently listen much to country music, I loved listening to it back then.
That love stemmed from two things. First, it was, and still is, great music. But more importantly, it was my dad’s music. And for that reason, it will continue to influence my life.
Music has so much variety, so many genres. Each new style influenced by the previous. Whether I like them all or not, I can appreciate them for their place in music history.
I have recently shared some recordings of myself playing favorites on the piano. They’ve included some Classical Scarlatti, Romantic Brahms, hymns and James Taylor. Honestly, no country songs crossed my mind…until now.
My mom called after listening to my latest recording. We chatted for a few minutes. As we were about to say goodbye, I could hear my dad in the background. My mom chuckled and said, “Dad says you need to record his favorite song.”
So, what is his favorite song? It is a piano solo recorded by country musician Floyd Cramer in 1960. If my dad ever has a music request for me, it is that song. I learned to play it years ago.
Why had I not thought to record this song already? I do not know.
Piano Girl 