Is There Life Without Music?

I really love music.  As a child I remember sitting in my bedroom and listening to the radio for loooooong periods of time.  My dad is a music lover.  As a young man he was in a band (with a cult following, might I add) called The Faded Blue .  They even made a movie called Blast Off Girls in 1969.  The movie didn't do so well (anyone surprised, with a title like that?).  In fact, a friend of ours found a copy in a dumpster in Chicago several years ago.  My dad was amazed that a copy even existed!  We listened to a lot of classic rock back in my childhood home.  I played the flute as a child and went on to sing in school chorus and show choir, then the choir and solos at church.  Tom and I led worship for several years at our previous church.  I love to sing!


I just so happened to have married a man who also loves music.  Love is not the right word.  He lives and breathes music.  If it was taken from him I think he would quite literally shrivel up and die.  He writes, sings, and plays a multitude of instruments.  I have posted about Tom's music before, but since then have added over 100 new followers!  If you haven't checked out Tom's music , you should (You can find him on itunes as well).  He is an amazing songwriter and has a lovely voice.  As a result of his love of music, we have many instruments in our home and the kids love to listen and play as well.  Another result is that I have greatly broadened my listening horizons at Tom's urging.  No more Top 40 for me, thank goodness!  I have been known to crank up the 80's music and occasionally early 90's R&B in the minivan however (can you say loser?).    A few of my favorite artists (besides Tom) are:


David Mead
Andrew Bird
Calexico
The Jayhawks
Madeleine Peyroux
Mindi Smith
Wilco
and our favorite family artist, Dan Zanes.
We attend as many live shows as we can, which is not hard here in Music City, USA.


Big sister takes violin lessons and is a very quick study!  She has a great ear for music.  When we signed her up I had visions of Tom and myself with earplugs at the ready, her screeching away on her instrument, but I have to say that it is a joy to listen to her play.  She sings with the voice of angel, with a natural vibrato that makes us laugh.  It's funny to hear it coming from a 6 year old.  She also plays a mean harmonica.

Big brother sings all day long.  At this very moment he is "playing" one of his favorite songs, Rock Island Line, on a guitar.  Little Brother can hang with the older siblings too... he just hums along.  It brings joy to my heart to hear them.

Music is such a big part of our lives.  I agree with the experts who say that it makes for smarter happier children.  My children are happiest when we are having a dance party in our living room.

What does music do for you?

Oh, and if you haven't commented on my previous post, Words, take a moment to do so.  I am really enjoying reading about the words that you pick.