My middle child heads off to college in the morning. It was touching that she decided to hang out with mom and dad this evening rather than hiding away in the basement like she typically does in the evening.
Sunday night I decided it would be a good idea to watch a family movie. We have been doing family movie night on Fridays (when possible) for the past few years. I realized Sunday, after returning from a weekend away with friends and family, that this might be our last opportunity for that tradition so we all sat down together and watched a movie about a drummer married to a redhead who quit his rock band to get a real job and raise kids! We shared several laughs during the first fifteen minutes of the movie, as the characters were introduced and developed.
At the conclusion of the movie, I decided I needed to say something. Now, mind you... I have these "lists" (see earlier blog post on "lists"). They are metaphorical, but basically state that there are lists of things you simply cannot tell a 12 year old, because they just won't understand. There are also things you cannot tell a 20 year old. A 30 year old. Until one has lived long enough and gained enough life experience, there are simply things that just aren't thoroughly understood. Then, when we reach a certain age, we say, "oh.... THAT'S what they meant by that."
What I said to my family (really, to my kids) was this...
When (married) people are in their upper 20s or 30s, they often decide to have babies. BABIES. They decide to start a family and have kids. KIDS. They don't decide to have BIG KIDS (my youngest is 14). The typical 26 year old doesn't have the life experience to even fathom what it might be like to have an 18 year old child. They certainly don't DECIDE to have ADULT CHILDREN! There is not a 30 year old pregnant couple (my age when KaCee was born) who has ever even considered what it might be like to send their child off to college.
But, I'm 48 and my reality is that I'm sending my second child to college tomorrow morning where she will study Art and Graphic Design while being a collegiate athlete (I'm two for two in that dept. No pressure, Zac) as a bowler for Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan.
Chalk this up to something that would go on many of my "lists." These are days we simply don't think will ever come. I will do my best to celebrate tomorrow, while knowing it will be difficult.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
My Musical History, Part One.
Hello folks,
First of all, I apologize for not writing in a few months. I remember when I was student teaching, my supervising teacher had a handheld recording device, and occasionally, he would whip it out and utter something into it. Something he needed to remember later. I share that little story because I'll bet there have been about twenty times in the past few months where I had random thoughts of blog topics, only to either forget them, or just never get to them. Middle age must be setting in!
I've decided to document the events of my musical life. Perhaps so that, if in another decade, or two, I have trouble remembering which things happened when, I can revert to this document. Hopefully, some of you find it at least moderately interesting. One thing is for sure. There are a few key events/occurrences in this story. Things that if they had not happened, I would NOT be where I am today. I suppose that's true with everyone, but I hope you enjoy mine. Here we go!
As far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated by music. Drawn to it, really. I remember receiving my first transistor radio in 1973, at the age of six. I enjoyed listening to WLS out of Chicago, and their Top 40 format. Shortly after this, I began asking for records for Christmas and birthdays. I was a big fan of the K-Tel compilations and I probably own twenty or more (still have them, too). This was also the time I started listening to Barry Manilow with more interest. I acquired about four or five of his albums during my elementary years. I also remember really enjoying Disco music in the mid 70s. I have to attribute that to the fact that it's incessantly simple beat (bass drum on all four beats) was easy for my young brain to latch onto.
It must have been in about fourth grade when I learned that in order to play drums in middle school band (and that's what EVERYONE wanted to play) you needed to take piano lessons. So, I started lessons with Tim Oonk when I was in the fifth grade. I believe he was a Freshman in college at the time. I was a terrible piano student. Basically, I started lessons much too late. By this time I had already written my first song and was learning how to figure out songs by ear. Being forced to slow down and read the notes, was incredibly frustrating and far from musically rewarding for me. Today, I cringe at the thought that I quit lessons after only one year.
Sixth grade came and during the first week, anyone interested in band was to sit down and chat with Mr. Brouwer for a bit and be "fitted" with an instrument. When he asked what I WANTED to play, I, of course, replied with, "DRUMS!" I remember him asking about piano, but he must not have heard my reply clearly, because I believe he was under the impression that I had no (or, not enough) piano to play drums. So, he said, "we'll put you down for trumpet, and we'll write 'drums' really small over here in the corner." I left feeling confused (I was eleven). When the schedule was posted, I was determined to attend percussion class and not brass class! After the first brass class met, some of my friends told me that my name was called and that Mr. Brouwer wondered why I wasn't there. I went to see him later and was given a Cornet to take home. When I got home I spoke with my mother and she knew I was extremely disappointed. Here's when one of those key moments happened. I inherit my non-combativeness from my mother. Yet, she went to school the next day and spoke with Mr. Brouwer to make sure he understood that I had taken piano lessons, and, as a result of her conversation with him, I was allowed to be in percussion class!! I played percussion in band until graduating from high school.
Middle school is also when one of my best friends introduced me to the band Journey (those close to me know this to be my all time favorite band). He had an older brother who was into music and knew what was good as well as what was cool. My first memory of Journey was hearing Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' on the radio which was actually Steve Perry's second album with the band. I remember saying to my buddy, "I thought their singer was a girl." My friend pointed out to me some TV shows (Saturday Night Live, Midnight Special) where Journey was playing. I tuned in and immediately fell in love with the band and have been a fan ever since. I remember trying to sing along with their material, and because it was so high, I needed to use falsetto (a high, breathy sound often used for effect by men, but rarely used for regular performance. Exceptions are Frankie Valli and the Bee Gees). Because of singing in falsetto a lot, that part of my voice really strengthened and I ended up using it a great deal singing the high harmony parts in the bands I played in later in life.
In high school, I continued to play drums in band, particularly enjoying marching band, where the drummers were often showcased. I enjoyed both field and street marching, but felt that marching in parades was the most fun because of all the people. It made you feel like a mini rock star for an hour! In the tenth grade, a class called Jazz Band appeared on my radar. The cool thing about Jazz Band was that the drummers played a DRUM SET! Problem: I did not own a drum set on which to practice. I saved up and purchased my first set. A used Sonar kit from Jim Ritenour, a guy who sold drums out of the screened in porch in his home in Allegan (Jim would later go on to found RIT Music with several stores in the West MI area. There is still one in Holland). I went on to play drum set in Jazz Band in both the eleventh and twelfth grades. Jazz Band was easily my favorite class as a Junior in high school, but it would ultimately become tied for that rank my senior year. In the fall of my eleventh grade year, our band director, Mr. Ritsema, picked out a song for Jazz Band that had a vocal (here comes another one of those pivotal moments in my life). The song was Flashdance/What a Feeling from the movie Flashdance. After giving us the music, he looked right at me and asked, "Cos, do you want to try the vocal solo?" He had my mother as a student and knew she was a great singer who sang Climb Ev'ry Mountain (from The Sound of Music) at her high school graduation. In hindsight, I can't believe I didn't respond with, "well, I don't want to go FIRST!" But, I didn't. I got up, grabbed the microphone and sang. Scared to death! The class was made up of mostly seniors, which made it even more scary, given that I was a junior. Surprisingly, more than half the class ended up auditioning that morning, but I was ultimately awarded the solo. I will never forget the first public performance of that piece. It was in the cafeteria of the middle school where I currently teach. The middle school that I attended a couple years prior. The engagement was during lunch and was a Jazz Band tradition. I remember most of the instrumental songs going well. Some of the middle school audience seemed attentive but, as is typical with middle schoolers, there was not a great deal of focus on the performance. That is, until we did the song with a vocal. Apparently, I sang pretty well because I will never forget the applause afterwards. Specifically, the screams from the girls. That was a turning point for me, and a huge confidence boost (and another one of those pivotal moments). Later that school year, I pointed out to Mr. Ritsema that the Sergio Mendez song, Never Gonna Let You Go, that we were already performing as an instrumental, would also work well with a vocal. He allowed me to give it a try and I ended up performing it as a vocal duet with a female member of the band. If you remember that song, the final chorus goes way up. This gave me a chance to use that falsetto that Steve Perry helped me start building about four years prior. We were rehearsing on stage for a concert later that evening, when Mr. Ritsema said, "wait a minute you guys," and left the room. He returned with Mr. DeBoer, the choir director, sat him down and said, "listen to this!" We performed the song again and at the conclusion of class, Mr. DeBoer called me over. We chatted a bit and he walked me into the choir room, sat down at the piano, played, and had me sing some scales followed by My Country Tis of Thee. He then said, "Well, the audition results for Madrigals (the top vocal group in the school) will be on my door in the morning. You might want to come take a look." I walked out completely bewildered and said to myself, "I think I just auditioned for Madrigals." (That was another REALLY pivotal moment)
As fate would have it, I was on the list for the 1984-85 roster for the Zeeland High Madrigal Singers (another one of those life changing moments)! I had NO idea what to expect, having never sang in a choir and I have to admit, it was challenging at first. I hadn't really played a pitched instrument since piano lessons (the girls always played the mallet parts in percussion), so learning to read vocal music was tricky at first, but I eventually got better. I had a great time in "Mads" my senior year and earned several solos throughout the year. Looking back, I wonder if I offended some of the long-time choir students. I wonder if they thought, "Who is this new guy coming in and getting all the solos?" Today, I am very thankful that they accepted me as one of their own and extremely thankful to Mr. James DeBoer for taking the initiative in my audition process.
Near the end of the first semester of my senior year, I was really not getting much from the computer class in which I was enrolled. The bulk of the class was BASIC programming. Very tedious and not for me. I must have whined about my situation to Mr. Ritsema because he suggested I become a practicum (teacher's assistant) for Freshman Band, second semester, which I did by dropping Computers. That raised my schedule to FOUR music classes! I had to promise my guidance counselor that I was planning to major in music in college, in order for him to allow the addition of a fourth music class.
The musical highlight of my senior year occurred at the Tulip Time Salute. The Salute was an event held at the Holland Civic Center (a 2500 seat venue) during Tulip Time. A professional sound and lighting company was brought in to make it look, and feel, very professional. The performers were all the local high schools' top groups. That year, I had a drum solo with Jazz Band, a vocal solo with Madrigals on the song God Bless the U.S.A. (the first time it was a hit), a solo with the mass/combined choir, and my barbershop quartet brought the house down with Goodbye My Coney Island Baby (I had the high, falsetto note in the end!). At the conclusion of my senior year, I was voted Most Talented, in the senior elections.
As a middle school music teacher today, I feel compelled to add the following as I have had several students, over the years, who struggle with the issue of "sports vs. music."
During ALL OF THE ABOVE (until very late in my high school career) my dream was to be a professional athlete. Such a common dream for youngsters (boys especially, it seems). It wasn't until near the end of my high school years that I realized music could, and would, take me MUCH further than sports could.
Peace
First of all, I apologize for not writing in a few months. I remember when I was student teaching, my supervising teacher had a handheld recording device, and occasionally, he would whip it out and utter something into it. Something he needed to remember later. I share that little story because I'll bet there have been about twenty times in the past few months where I had random thoughts of blog topics, only to either forget them, or just never get to them. Middle age must be setting in!
I've decided to document the events of my musical life. Perhaps so that, if in another decade, or two, I have trouble remembering which things happened when, I can revert to this document. Hopefully, some of you find it at least moderately interesting. One thing is for sure. There are a few key events/occurrences in this story. Things that if they had not happened, I would NOT be where I am today. I suppose that's true with everyone, but I hope you enjoy mine. Here we go!
As far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated by music. Drawn to it, really. I remember receiving my first transistor radio in 1973, at the age of six. I enjoyed listening to WLS out of Chicago, and their Top 40 format. Shortly after this, I began asking for records for Christmas and birthdays. I was a big fan of the K-Tel compilations and I probably own twenty or more (still have them, too). This was also the time I started listening to Barry Manilow with more interest. I acquired about four or five of his albums during my elementary years. I also remember really enjoying Disco music in the mid 70s. I have to attribute that to the fact that it's incessantly simple beat (bass drum on all four beats) was easy for my young brain to latch onto.
It must have been in about fourth grade when I learned that in order to play drums in middle school band (and that's what EVERYONE wanted to play) you needed to take piano lessons. So, I started lessons with Tim Oonk when I was in the fifth grade. I believe he was a Freshman in college at the time. I was a terrible piano student. Basically, I started lessons much too late. By this time I had already written my first song and was learning how to figure out songs by ear. Being forced to slow down and read the notes, was incredibly frustrating and far from musically rewarding for me. Today, I cringe at the thought that I quit lessons after only one year.
Sixth grade came and during the first week, anyone interested in band was to sit down and chat with Mr. Brouwer for a bit and be "fitted" with an instrument. When he asked what I WANTED to play, I, of course, replied with, "DRUMS!" I remember him asking about piano, but he must not have heard my reply clearly, because I believe he was under the impression that I had no (or, not enough) piano to play drums. So, he said, "we'll put you down for trumpet, and we'll write 'drums' really small over here in the corner." I left feeling confused (I was eleven). When the schedule was posted, I was determined to attend percussion class and not brass class! After the first brass class met, some of my friends told me that my name was called and that Mr. Brouwer wondered why I wasn't there. I went to see him later and was given a Cornet to take home. When I got home I spoke with my mother and she knew I was extremely disappointed. Here's when one of those key moments happened. I inherit my non-combativeness from my mother. Yet, she went to school the next day and spoke with Mr. Brouwer to make sure he understood that I had taken piano lessons, and, as a result of her conversation with him, I was allowed to be in percussion class!! I played percussion in band until graduating from high school.
Middle school is also when one of my best friends introduced me to the band Journey (those close to me know this to be my all time favorite band). He had an older brother who was into music and knew what was good as well as what was cool. My first memory of Journey was hearing Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' on the radio which was actually Steve Perry's second album with the band. I remember saying to my buddy, "I thought their singer was a girl." My friend pointed out to me some TV shows (Saturday Night Live, Midnight Special) where Journey was playing. I tuned in and immediately fell in love with the band and have been a fan ever since. I remember trying to sing along with their material, and because it was so high, I needed to use falsetto (a high, breathy sound often used for effect by men, but rarely used for regular performance. Exceptions are Frankie Valli and the Bee Gees). Because of singing in falsetto a lot, that part of my voice really strengthened and I ended up using it a great deal singing the high harmony parts in the bands I played in later in life.
In high school, I continued to play drums in band, particularly enjoying marching band, where the drummers were often showcased. I enjoyed both field and street marching, but felt that marching in parades was the most fun because of all the people. It made you feel like a mini rock star for an hour! In the tenth grade, a class called Jazz Band appeared on my radar. The cool thing about Jazz Band was that the drummers played a DRUM SET! Problem: I did not own a drum set on which to practice. I saved up and purchased my first set. A used Sonar kit from Jim Ritenour, a guy who sold drums out of the screened in porch in his home in Allegan (Jim would later go on to found RIT Music with several stores in the West MI area. There is still one in Holland). I went on to play drum set in Jazz Band in both the eleventh and twelfth grades. Jazz Band was easily my favorite class as a Junior in high school, but it would ultimately become tied for that rank my senior year. In the fall of my eleventh grade year, our band director, Mr. Ritsema, picked out a song for Jazz Band that had a vocal (here comes another one of those pivotal moments in my life). The song was Flashdance/What a Feeling from the movie Flashdance. After giving us the music, he looked right at me and asked, "Cos, do you want to try the vocal solo?" He had my mother as a student and knew she was a great singer who sang Climb Ev'ry Mountain (from The Sound of Music) at her high school graduation. In hindsight, I can't believe I didn't respond with, "well, I don't want to go FIRST!" But, I didn't. I got up, grabbed the microphone and sang. Scared to death! The class was made up of mostly seniors, which made it even more scary, given that I was a junior. Surprisingly, more than half the class ended up auditioning that morning, but I was ultimately awarded the solo. I will never forget the first public performance of that piece. It was in the cafeteria of the middle school where I currently teach. The middle school that I attended a couple years prior. The engagement was during lunch and was a Jazz Band tradition. I remember most of the instrumental songs going well. Some of the middle school audience seemed attentive but, as is typical with middle schoolers, there was not a great deal of focus on the performance. That is, until we did the song with a vocal. Apparently, I sang pretty well because I will never forget the applause afterwards. Specifically, the screams from the girls. That was a turning point for me, and a huge confidence boost (and another one of those pivotal moments). Later that school year, I pointed out to Mr. Ritsema that the Sergio Mendez song, Never Gonna Let You Go, that we were already performing as an instrumental, would also work well with a vocal. He allowed me to give it a try and I ended up performing it as a vocal duet with a female member of the band. If you remember that song, the final chorus goes way up. This gave me a chance to use that falsetto that Steve Perry helped me start building about four years prior. We were rehearsing on stage for a concert later that evening, when Mr. Ritsema said, "wait a minute you guys," and left the room. He returned with Mr. DeBoer, the choir director, sat him down and said, "listen to this!" We performed the song again and at the conclusion of class, Mr. DeBoer called me over. We chatted a bit and he walked me into the choir room, sat down at the piano, played, and had me sing some scales followed by My Country Tis of Thee. He then said, "Well, the audition results for Madrigals (the top vocal group in the school) will be on my door in the morning. You might want to come take a look." I walked out completely bewildered and said to myself, "I think I just auditioned for Madrigals." (That was another REALLY pivotal moment)
As fate would have it, I was on the list for the 1984-85 roster for the Zeeland High Madrigal Singers (another one of those life changing moments)! I had NO idea what to expect, having never sang in a choir and I have to admit, it was challenging at first. I hadn't really played a pitched instrument since piano lessons (the girls always played the mallet parts in percussion), so learning to read vocal music was tricky at first, but I eventually got better. I had a great time in "Mads" my senior year and earned several solos throughout the year. Looking back, I wonder if I offended some of the long-time choir students. I wonder if they thought, "Who is this new guy coming in and getting all the solos?" Today, I am very thankful that they accepted me as one of their own and extremely thankful to Mr. James DeBoer for taking the initiative in my audition process.
Near the end of the first semester of my senior year, I was really not getting much from the computer class in which I was enrolled. The bulk of the class was BASIC programming. Very tedious and not for me. I must have whined about my situation to Mr. Ritsema because he suggested I become a practicum (teacher's assistant) for Freshman Band, second semester, which I did by dropping Computers. That raised my schedule to FOUR music classes! I had to promise my guidance counselor that I was planning to major in music in college, in order for him to allow the addition of a fourth music class.
The musical highlight of my senior year occurred at the Tulip Time Salute. The Salute was an event held at the Holland Civic Center (a 2500 seat venue) during Tulip Time. A professional sound and lighting company was brought in to make it look, and feel, very professional. The performers were all the local high schools' top groups. That year, I had a drum solo with Jazz Band, a vocal solo with Madrigals on the song God Bless the U.S.A. (the first time it was a hit), a solo with the mass/combined choir, and my barbershop quartet brought the house down with Goodbye My Coney Island Baby (I had the high, falsetto note in the end!). At the conclusion of my senior year, I was voted Most Talented, in the senior elections.
As a middle school music teacher today, I feel compelled to add the following as I have had several students, over the years, who struggle with the issue of "sports vs. music."
During ALL OF THE ABOVE (until very late in my high school career) my dream was to be a professional athlete. Such a common dream for youngsters (boys especially, it seems). It wasn't until near the end of my high school years that I realized music could, and would, take me MUCH further than sports could.
Peace
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Pride
Pride
Why is it that some people seem to have too much of it, while others don't seem to have enough?
I'm sure we've all had run-ins with someone that ended badly, simply because of pride and principle. That's not always a bad thing, but sometimes it can be.
I also see people who don't seem to really have any pride. They don't seem to take pride in anything they do or create. Why is that?
Well, for an adolescent (remember, I've been teaching middle school for seventeen years), it can be difficult. It is much easier for a middle school kid to take no stance, than to take a stand. For, or against, anything. just ride the fence.
I see it with their artwork. We have students who create beautiful artwork, yet seem to be embarrassed to take it home on the bus. Why on earth is that?? They should be proud of their work. Especially, if that work has won some sort of an award.
I remember once, after an awards assembly, finding one student's award for poetry crinkled up in the trash can. What's up with that?
It's because of what they think is cool, or not cool.
What I don't see are sports trophies in the trash. It's cool to be good at sports. Most of the athletes are quite popular and beam with pride and self-confidence. Shouldn't the kid with the starring role in the school play behave in a similar manner? I sure think so. But they don't. Singing and acting, although loved by everyone as a SPECTATOR, simply doesn't receive as much respect, it seems. At least in my small community, they don't. Especially for the boys. I constantly have to remind our male musicians to take pride in what they do. Because they are GOOD! They SHOULD be prideful.
Like with many things in life, there is a balance. A delicate balance between not enough, and too much pride.
Why is it that some people seem to have too much of it, while others don't seem to have enough?
I'm sure we've all had run-ins with someone that ended badly, simply because of pride and principle. That's not always a bad thing, but sometimes it can be.
I also see people who don't seem to really have any pride. They don't seem to take pride in anything they do or create. Why is that?
Well, for an adolescent (remember, I've been teaching middle school for seventeen years), it can be difficult. It is much easier for a middle school kid to take no stance, than to take a stand. For, or against, anything. just ride the fence.
I see it with their artwork. We have students who create beautiful artwork, yet seem to be embarrassed to take it home on the bus. Why on earth is that?? They should be proud of their work. Especially, if that work has won some sort of an award.
I remember once, after an awards assembly, finding one student's award for poetry crinkled up in the trash can. What's up with that?
It's because of what they think is cool, or not cool.
What I don't see are sports trophies in the trash. It's cool to be good at sports. Most of the athletes are quite popular and beam with pride and self-confidence. Shouldn't the kid with the starring role in the school play behave in a similar manner? I sure think so. But they don't. Singing and acting, although loved by everyone as a SPECTATOR, simply doesn't receive as much respect, it seems. At least in my small community, they don't. Especially for the boys. I constantly have to remind our male musicians to take pride in what they do. Because they are GOOD! They SHOULD be prideful.
Like with many things in life, there is a balance. A delicate balance between not enough, and too much pride.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Lists
The older I get, the more lists I have. No, these are not the normal type of lists that remind one of things needed to be purchased or accomplished. Rather, these are lists of things you "cannot tell people."
Not things that are inappropriate to say, but rather things that people won't fully understand at the time.
For example...
I have a list of things you cannot tell a 12 year old. Cannot, that is, because a 12 year old does not possess the wisdom and experience to understand the point you might be trying to get across. I also have a piece of advice. Do NOT tell them that they do not understand and will not until they are older and more wise. Trust me, this won't help the situation.
I also have a list of things you cannot tell an 18 year old.
A 25 year old.
A 30 year old.
Wisdom is something that combines knowledge, experience and maturity. Until one gains a certain about of it, one just simply will not understand.
Mike Izzo said something similar today, at the conclusion of the MSU/VCU basketball game. He said that until his team believes that they possess the talent and skill to go all the way, they will not. He also said that he cannot be the one to tell them, because they won't believe him. He then made the analogy of a 12 year old looking at you like you're crazy after telling them something. He said, "you know, they look at you like you're the dumbest person in the world."
Have faith. Someday, they will get it.
Not things that are inappropriate to say, but rather things that people won't fully understand at the time.
For example...
I have a list of things you cannot tell a 12 year old. Cannot, that is, because a 12 year old does not possess the wisdom and experience to understand the point you might be trying to get across. I also have a piece of advice. Do NOT tell them that they do not understand and will not until they are older and more wise. Trust me, this won't help the situation.
I also have a list of things you cannot tell an 18 year old.
A 25 year old.
A 30 year old.
Wisdom is something that combines knowledge, experience and maturity. Until one gains a certain about of it, one just simply will not understand.
Mike Izzo said something similar today, at the conclusion of the MSU/VCU basketball game. He said that until his team believes that they possess the talent and skill to go all the way, they will not. He also said that he cannot be the one to tell them, because they won't believe him. He then made the analogy of a 12 year old looking at you like you're crazy after telling them something. He said, "you know, they look at you like you're the dumbest person in the world."
Have faith. Someday, they will get it.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Time Flies
The understatement of a LIFETIME!!
Folks,
Time flies.
I remember my father's mother (may she rest in peace) telling me, 20 years ago, "Jeff, every year seems to go by a little bit faster than the one before it." Grandma Cos was a very wise lady, for sure. She is still dearly missed today!
Recently, I heard a few advertisements on TV that made me sit up and question, "Oh my God, where has the time gone?" These advertisements were for shows that started near, or shortly after, the beginning of the "Reality TV" era.
One was an ad for the talk show The View. Now, to me, The View is a "new talk show." It's obviously something that started long after Oprah started, as well as all the ones we remember from childhood (Mike Douglas, Phil Donahue, Merv Griffin, and later, Jerry Springer, Montel Williams, etc. etc.). What boggled my mind was that the advertisement for The View stated it was their SIXTEENTH YEAR! WHAAAT? How can that be? Like I said, I consider this to be a "new daytime talk show." Now, I suppose Ellen would be a bit newer, but come on! Holy cow, I just checked. Ellen has had a talk show for TEN years. Where has the time gone?
Another one was Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? In learning that they have recently announced a new host in Cedric the Entertainer, I also learned that show first aired in 1999. Fourteen years??? Really??
Then, the kicker. The straw that broke the proverbial "you've got to be kidding me" back.
Dancing With the Stars is starting its TWELFTH SEASON! Come on now, NO WAY, I thought. Then a colleague pointed out that they basically do two seasons per year, so it's not exactly twelve years old. That made me feel better.
But, I'll tell ya what, kids...
If you lead a busy lifestyle... If you have kids that you have to transport to many and varied activities... PLUS, If you have hobbies yourself like bowling, golf, softball, fishing, hunting or crafting... the "middle years" of your life will simply FLY BY!
One day, you will be thirty (or younger), with two (or more) kids in daycare (which involves a ton of work and money, even though they are in daycare!). And suddenly you will wake up and be in your mid to late forties and your youngest will be a teenager! It's then when you'll ask, "where did the time go?"
It's crazy, this thing we call life on Earth. Enjoy it while you can, kids, because it's wonderful, awesome and sacred.
I am secretly hoping my grandmother was wrong in her statement that each year goes a little faster. I'm hoping things will slow down a bit as I get older, especially in retirement. In reality, I'm betting Grandma was right.
So, as the kids say, "live while we're young!"
Folks,
Time flies.
I remember my father's mother (may she rest in peace) telling me, 20 years ago, "Jeff, every year seems to go by a little bit faster than the one before it." Grandma Cos was a very wise lady, for sure. She is still dearly missed today!
Recently, I heard a few advertisements on TV that made me sit up and question, "Oh my God, where has the time gone?" These advertisements were for shows that started near, or shortly after, the beginning of the "Reality TV" era.
One was an ad for the talk show The View. Now, to me, The View is a "new talk show." It's obviously something that started long after Oprah started, as well as all the ones we remember from childhood (Mike Douglas, Phil Donahue, Merv Griffin, and later, Jerry Springer, Montel Williams, etc. etc.). What boggled my mind was that the advertisement for The View stated it was their SIXTEENTH YEAR! WHAAAT? How can that be? Like I said, I consider this to be a "new daytime talk show." Now, I suppose Ellen would be a bit newer, but come on! Holy cow, I just checked. Ellen has had a talk show for TEN years. Where has the time gone?
Another one was Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? In learning that they have recently announced a new host in Cedric the Entertainer, I also learned that show first aired in 1999. Fourteen years??? Really??
Then, the kicker. The straw that broke the proverbial "you've got to be kidding me" back.
Dancing With the Stars is starting its TWELFTH SEASON! Come on now, NO WAY, I thought. Then a colleague pointed out that they basically do two seasons per year, so it's not exactly twelve years old. That made me feel better.
But, I'll tell ya what, kids...
If you lead a busy lifestyle... If you have kids that you have to transport to many and varied activities... PLUS, If you have hobbies yourself like bowling, golf, softball, fishing, hunting or crafting... the "middle years" of your life will simply FLY BY!
One day, you will be thirty (or younger), with two (or more) kids in daycare (which involves a ton of work and money, even though they are in daycare!). And suddenly you will wake up and be in your mid to late forties and your youngest will be a teenager! It's then when you'll ask, "where did the time go?"
It's crazy, this thing we call life on Earth. Enjoy it while you can, kids, because it's wonderful, awesome and sacred.
I am secretly hoping my grandmother was wrong in her statement that each year goes a little faster. I'm hoping things will slow down a bit as I get older, especially in retirement. In reality, I'm betting Grandma was right.
So, as the kids say, "live while we're young!"
Monday, March 11, 2013
Classic Rock (with a dash of Heavy Metal)
What makes rock classic? Why is rock from a certain era considered classic?
I tell you my opinion...
Because it's good.
Folks, there is a reason why the majority of music radio stations feature some sort of a "Classic Rock" format (this statement is purely based in opinion and not research - to me, it seems like they are the majority). It's just simply GOOD MUSIC that stands the test of time.
When I listen to one of the four West Michigan Classic Rock stations I have programmed in my car stereo, I hear approximately one 1990s song for about every 50-100 1980s song. Even songs from the 1970s, get more airplay. Is it simply because they are older, and therefore, "more classic?" No. They are just better music.
The 1970s really saw the music industry take shape, in my opinion, thanks to a concept known as Artist Development. Most bands in the seventies went through a lengthy period of "paying their dues," by playing clubs and simply working on songwriting, before every being allowed to go into the studio to work on a full length album. Listen to almost any band from the seventies and you'll hear well executed music from talented and SCHOOLED musicians. Oh, and no Auto-Tune.
By the time the eighties came around the record labels had the classic rock sound down to a science. Back then it was called many things. Formulaic. Corporate Rock. Faceless. In other words, generally it was not critically acclaimed. However, bands like Jouney, Kansas, Styx, Boston, Foriegner and REO Speedwagon sold out 20,000 seat arenas night after night, all across the country, and around the world. Little did they know, they were creating a genre of music that would go on to stand the test of time far longer than the majority of other styles of Contemporary Commercial Music.
A couple years ago, on a 14 hour drive, my family and I heard Journey's Don't Stop Believin' nearly once an hour by bouncing from station to station as we rolled through different broadcast markets. Later that year, it was announced that the song was the most downloaded song in the history of music downloads. I thought it was so cool that a song that was on the radio when I was in the 8th grade was actually MORE POPULAR two years ago, when my daughter Kacee was in the 8th grade, than it was when it was originally released. The song peaked at only #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. I'd say, it's definitely been a "bigger hit," in the past five years than any #9 single.
In the latter half of the 1980s, things got a bit out of control, unfortunately. The sub-genre of rock known as Heavy Metal became very popular, thanks to many videos receiving heavy rotation on MTV.
As a result, Heavy Metal became a few things it wasn't prepared to become:
1. Extremely popular worldwide
2. Overexposed
3. WAY too overdone and over the top
As a result of #1, businessmen rushed in to make a quick buck by signing hundreds of bands that fit the mold. "If you had a drummer with two bass drums and a singer that sang high, you got a record contract."
-Frankie Banali (drummer for Quiet Riot)
The above caused #2 to happen, while we were all enjoying the party.
#3 happened because, as a result of #2, bands felt the need to outdo each other in aspects such as... um...
HAIR, for one. Lights. Amplifiers. Stage shows. Pyrotechnics. Budgets for videos, etc. And more Hair.
All of this lead to the crash and burn that the harder edged rock from the late 80s suffered as a result of bands like Guns and Roses, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains. Gone, was the big hair. Gone, was the makeup. Gone, were the Marshall stacks and banks upon banks of pretty chrome stage lights. BOO!
And, those bands completely disappeared for about fifteen years. They were laughed at. Considered a joke of the music world. Meanwhile, guys who played de-tuned guitars where you could play an entire chord by holding down ONE FINGER across four strings, were dominating the airwaves and selling out those same 20,000 seat arenas. The musicians of the world were aghast! How could this be? They didn't even sing high (or well, for that matter). They had no harmony vocals. Their guitarists didn't even play solos!!! This was the rock that was popular??? It just didn't seem plausible.
Today, and for about the last eight years (thankfully), many of the 1980s bands, as well as some from the 1970s have reunited and are enjoying success as the quality live acts that they were, and still are today. Some are even playing those same 20,000 seat arenas again!
As an aging rocker myself, every time I hear a concert advertisement on the radio for Def Leppard, Journey, Styx, Loverboy, Motley Crue, Pat Benatar or REO Speedwagon, I can't help but feel good for them. I also feel vindicated in a way, as you may have guessed. This was a style of music that I fell in love with in the late 1970s when I discovered Journey when I was in the sixth grade. It makes me feel good to know that "my music" is a style that has stood the test of time. I would also like to call out Mr. Aris Hampers on this one. In 1995 Paris Blue participated in the Hometown Rock Search at the Orbit Room (then, Club Eastbrook) in Grand Rapids. We made an eleventh hour decision and decided to play our 12 minute Journey medley instead of a couple originals because we felt it showed our strengths: Our musicianship and our three-part harmony vocals. Well, that decision didn't fare well with the judges (especially in the category of originality). In a discussion with Aris (the local legendary DJ who hosted the event) after the show I asked him if he thought "my music" would ever come back into style. He said he didn't think it would. Well, I believe he was wrong with that prediction. Classic Rock is alive and well today.
Now... If the fans would only "allow"' those bands to record new material...
I tell you my opinion...
Because it's good.
Folks, there is a reason why the majority of music radio stations feature some sort of a "Classic Rock" format (this statement is purely based in opinion and not research - to me, it seems like they are the majority). It's just simply GOOD MUSIC that stands the test of time.
When I listen to one of the four West Michigan Classic Rock stations I have programmed in my car stereo, I hear approximately one 1990s song for about every 50-100 1980s song. Even songs from the 1970s, get more airplay. Is it simply because they are older, and therefore, "more classic?" No. They are just better music.
The 1970s really saw the music industry take shape, in my opinion, thanks to a concept known as Artist Development. Most bands in the seventies went through a lengthy period of "paying their dues," by playing clubs and simply working on songwriting, before every being allowed to go into the studio to work on a full length album. Listen to almost any band from the seventies and you'll hear well executed music from talented and SCHOOLED musicians. Oh, and no Auto-Tune.
By the time the eighties came around the record labels had the classic rock sound down to a science. Back then it was called many things. Formulaic. Corporate Rock. Faceless. In other words, generally it was not critically acclaimed. However, bands like Jouney, Kansas, Styx, Boston, Foriegner and REO Speedwagon sold out 20,000 seat arenas night after night, all across the country, and around the world. Little did they know, they were creating a genre of music that would go on to stand the test of time far longer than the majority of other styles of Contemporary Commercial Music.
A couple years ago, on a 14 hour drive, my family and I heard Journey's Don't Stop Believin' nearly once an hour by bouncing from station to station as we rolled through different broadcast markets. Later that year, it was announced that the song was the most downloaded song in the history of music downloads. I thought it was so cool that a song that was on the radio when I was in the 8th grade was actually MORE POPULAR two years ago, when my daughter Kacee was in the 8th grade, than it was when it was originally released. The song peaked at only #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. I'd say, it's definitely been a "bigger hit," in the past five years than any #9 single.
In the latter half of the 1980s, things got a bit out of control, unfortunately. The sub-genre of rock known as Heavy Metal became very popular, thanks to many videos receiving heavy rotation on MTV.
As a result, Heavy Metal became a few things it wasn't prepared to become:
1. Extremely popular worldwide
2. Overexposed
3. WAY too overdone and over the top
As a result of #1, businessmen rushed in to make a quick buck by signing hundreds of bands that fit the mold. "If you had a drummer with two bass drums and a singer that sang high, you got a record contract."
-Frankie Banali (drummer for Quiet Riot)
The above caused #2 to happen, while we were all enjoying the party.
#3 happened because, as a result of #2, bands felt the need to outdo each other in aspects such as... um...
HAIR, for one. Lights. Amplifiers. Stage shows. Pyrotechnics. Budgets for videos, etc. And more Hair.
All of this lead to the crash and burn that the harder edged rock from the late 80s suffered as a result of bands like Guns and Roses, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains. Gone, was the big hair. Gone, was the makeup. Gone, were the Marshall stacks and banks upon banks of pretty chrome stage lights. BOO!
And, those bands completely disappeared for about fifteen years. They were laughed at. Considered a joke of the music world. Meanwhile, guys who played de-tuned guitars where you could play an entire chord by holding down ONE FINGER across four strings, were dominating the airwaves and selling out those same 20,000 seat arenas. The musicians of the world were aghast! How could this be? They didn't even sing high (or well, for that matter). They had no harmony vocals. Their guitarists didn't even play solos!!! This was the rock that was popular??? It just didn't seem plausible.
Today, and for about the last eight years (thankfully), many of the 1980s bands, as well as some from the 1970s have reunited and are enjoying success as the quality live acts that they were, and still are today. Some are even playing those same 20,000 seat arenas again!
As an aging rocker myself, every time I hear a concert advertisement on the radio for Def Leppard, Journey, Styx, Loverboy, Motley Crue, Pat Benatar or REO Speedwagon, I can't help but feel good for them. I also feel vindicated in a way, as you may have guessed. This was a style of music that I fell in love with in the late 1970s when I discovered Journey when I was in the sixth grade. It makes me feel good to know that "my music" is a style that has stood the test of time. I would also like to call out Mr. Aris Hampers on this one. In 1995 Paris Blue participated in the Hometown Rock Search at the Orbit Room (then, Club Eastbrook) in Grand Rapids. We made an eleventh hour decision and decided to play our 12 minute Journey medley instead of a couple originals because we felt it showed our strengths: Our musicianship and our three-part harmony vocals. Well, that decision didn't fare well with the judges (especially in the category of originality). In a discussion with Aris (the local legendary DJ who hosted the event) after the show I asked him if he thought "my music" would ever come back into style. He said he didn't think it would. Well, I believe he was wrong with that prediction. Classic Rock is alive and well today.
Now... If the fans would only "allow"' those bands to record new material...
Monday, March 4, 2013
Conferences
Tonight at parent teacher conferences, I heard some things that surprised me. The most surprising, and sad, story was of the girl who has been raised by her grandparents because her mother has a serious drug problem. We were told that mom has had several overdoses and usually ends up in jail. She now has brain damage and epilepsy, as a result of doing so many hard drugs. Mom is currently in jail.
This 12 year old girl was also subjected to a nasty divorce/custody battle where dad took her away from grandpa and grandma for a year, without allowing them to see her. Then, upon the finalization of the divorce, dad handed the girl over to grandma and grandpa and left the state.
This young lady is not blessed with a great deal of intelligence, but she is a sweetheart, is always cheery and is a joy to have in class. I'm guessing that might be because school is where she is most happy.
Grandma then shared with us that the girl's birthday is soon approaching. Her golden birthday, at that. She said that the one thing her granddaughter wished for was a big family birthday party like the ones her friends talk about. It broke grandma's heart to remind the young lady that she is an only child and that most of her extended family lives out of state. At that point, I jumped in and asked, "when is her birthday?" I assured grandma that we would have a party for her at school. Plans are already in the works. I spoke with our counselor later about it. These things can be delicate though with middle school aged kids. They LOVE attention, but not TOO MUCH attention. I'm sure it will be great.
The final heartbreak moment of this conference was when grandma confessed that she had dropped out of school in the tenth grade, and that she prays that her granddaughter didn't "inherit this from her," as the young girl is currently struggling in many of her classes. Before she shared this with us, she paused. I could tell she was feeling uncomfortable. After sharing of her dropping out, she confessed, "that was really difficult for me to say." We comforted her and thanked her for sharing.
There are millions of kids like this in this country. And millions upon millions more outside this country. Many of them living in situations far worse than this young lady who has a nice home with her grandparents. I just read a statistic that said 50% of the world's population is under the age of 30. Let's help these young people. Volunteer. Get involved at church, a youth center, anywhere you can. Time is quite possibly the most valuable thing you can invest in young people.
This 12 year old girl was also subjected to a nasty divorce/custody battle where dad took her away from grandpa and grandma for a year, without allowing them to see her. Then, upon the finalization of the divorce, dad handed the girl over to grandma and grandpa and left the state.
This young lady is not blessed with a great deal of intelligence, but she is a sweetheart, is always cheery and is a joy to have in class. I'm guessing that might be because school is where she is most happy.
Grandma then shared with us that the girl's birthday is soon approaching. Her golden birthday, at that. She said that the one thing her granddaughter wished for was a big family birthday party like the ones her friends talk about. It broke grandma's heart to remind the young lady that she is an only child and that most of her extended family lives out of state. At that point, I jumped in and asked, "when is her birthday?" I assured grandma that we would have a party for her at school. Plans are already in the works. I spoke with our counselor later about it. These things can be delicate though with middle school aged kids. They LOVE attention, but not TOO MUCH attention. I'm sure it will be great.
The final heartbreak moment of this conference was when grandma confessed that she had dropped out of school in the tenth grade, and that she prays that her granddaughter didn't "inherit this from her," as the young girl is currently struggling in many of her classes. Before she shared this with us, she paused. I could tell she was feeling uncomfortable. After sharing of her dropping out, she confessed, "that was really difficult for me to say." We comforted her and thanked her for sharing.
There are millions of kids like this in this country. And millions upon millions more outside this country. Many of them living in situations far worse than this young lady who has a nice home with her grandparents. I just read a statistic that said 50% of the world's population is under the age of 30. Let's help these young people. Volunteer. Get involved at church, a youth center, anywhere you can. Time is quite possibly the most valuable thing you can invest in young people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)