Why I love Music...Autobiographical

I have been thinking about doing a post like this for a while, but wasn't really sure where to start. So how about the beginning. I actually come from a very musical family. My father played the piano, guitar and violin. My mother, 2 uncles and grandfather are all fantastic singers. Actually, you get a few beers into my Bumpa and you won't be able to tell him apart from Johnny Cash. He's damn good.

Anyway...it's in the genome...you get that. But besides actual musical ability, they are all music lovers. I remember all the greats The Stones, The Beatles, Queen, Styx..etc..etc...being played in abundance in our home. Mom occasionally got a wild hair and we'd get Babs or The Carpenters. But mostly, we were a rock family. And that is how I got introduced to Pat.

I remember standing in my living room one day while my mom listened to Crimes of Passion and being stunned. Motionless. I just stood there listening. I knew then... I wanted to be a singer. Her voice was so clear and powerful. And her range was phenomenal. I was 8 and I recognized it as something transcendent. Then I heard this song and I went into rehearsal mode. I practiced everyday in my hairbrush microphone until I could hit that high G flawlessly. I still can, in case you were wondering.



I knew I would never be a rock star. In our day of no American Idol, that just didn't happen to normal people. So, when my mom told me that Pat Benatar was a trained opera singer. I thought, well that I can do. Luckily, I had great parents who were willing to let me pursue this. And over time, I and some really great teachers and coaches, realized that I was pretty damn good. I took every opportunity presented to me no matter how meager. The point was never to get rich or be famous. It was just to sing. People ask me all the time, Aren't you nervous when you get up there? Only until the music starts.

Unfortunately, as they usually are, that dream was replaced by another in the form of an 8lbs 5 oz blue eyed baby boy. But, nothing gives me greater joy than to hear "mom, just one more song." I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.



So in conclusion, thank you family, for the genetic disposition and encouragement. And thank you Pat, for the inspiration.