How Did Music Move You

Music!  It fills you.  It soothes you.  It moves you.  Today was a tough day and tonight I sat and watched the Garth Brooks special and wow.  The day brightened and my mood has changed drastically in the couple of hours the show was on.  Why?  I spent my teen years listening to Garth and his songs have been in the background of many memorable moments.  Heck there are country songs that sing about just that thing and ironically I love songs that focus on that theme whether they were songs by Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, or whoever.

I saw Garth Brooks perform live once and there is something about the guy that draws you in.  He can perform and he can make you feel the music with him.  I think he might be a bit crazy too but his fans seem to even relate to that...I know I do.  He gets giddy performing and you start laughing with him, maybe even at him a little, but he doesn't seem to care as long as you're enjoying the song.

Lately I've been going through some of my older music and listening to that 80's and 90's country and remembering how I got to where I am today.  Garth talked about his musical journey and it got me thinking about what mine might look like.  What would yours look like.  Would it have Ray Charles, Alabama, Keith Whitley, the Statler Brothers (that's true harmony and I loved trying to sing bass), Kenny Rogers, Beatles, Alan Jackson, and my all time favorite George Strait (a man's man if there is one in my opinion)?  Maybe it would be Twisted Sister, Haywire (do you remember them?), Harem Scarem, Warrant, Motley Crue, or AC/DC.  The Canadian boy I am, I would have to include some Hank Snow (thanks Nan), Blue Rodeo, Paul Brandt, the Rankins, Great Big Sea, and Chris Cummings oh and don't forget Terri Clarke (I loved Terri's attitude).   I think my show, not that I'd ever have one, would have to be a marathon.  There is no way I could narrow it down to even just 20 songs.

All the good moments have songs and the bad moments simply became good ones because of the music.  Friends bond over music, whether through a mutual love of a song or through teasing someone about their taste.  It's no different than a Habs fan tormenting a Leafs fan but let's not go there.  Go pull out some old CDs or 45's even and let 'em blast. "Ooohh I got friends in low places...."

Christmas and Birthday Tribute

A couple of posts ago I talked about getting into the Christmas spirit.  I talked about old Christmas music and how it got me into the spirit.  I stated that I would be revisiting the topic again and that it would have family ties.  This post is a tribute to a wonderful woman in my life.  The woman who provided me with the love of Christmas and "Alabama,"  "Kenny and Dolly," "John Denver," and "George Strait" is celebrating a birthday tomorrow.  I want her to know how much I appreciated those childhood memories she provided. 

My Mom always played her country music loud and her country Christmas music even louder. I can remember going to bed at night with the smell of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven.  I could hear wrapping paper crinkling and the whizz of the tape dispenser as she wrapped gifts.  She would be singing along with an Ann Murray carol and the sound of their voices was comforting.  Every Christmas would be the same and the only thing that changed it seemed were the presents we received...oh and I got older.  The familiar scene was comforting and it provided a solid foundation of what Christmas should be.  Family. 

Mom, you have made so many special Christmas memories for me.  I want to thank you and this short blog entry comes no where near demonstrating my gratitude.  I love you and those memories.  When I hear those country Christmas songs, you instantly come to mind and I can't help but smile and feel relaxed.   It helps me deal with the stress the season sometimes brings and it helps me slow down.  It is incredible how quickly the music you listened to and sung along with so quickly moves me and stirs those memories. 

Happy Birthday Mom and thanks for making a big deal out of Christmas.