One of the best purchases I've ever made was a CD called "Chet Atkins -- A Master And His Music". I found it at the flea market...$2. It has some phenomenal tracks on it. One of my favorites is "Jerry's Breakdown" featuring Jerry Reed. I was playing it for a guitar player friend and he told me that Jerry Reed had died earlier this year. I had no idea, I was floored. I guess I was too self absorbed when it happened.
In this post I told you about Raegan Echols who was Jerry's nephew and a good friend of mine in college. The summer before my senior year in college, Raegan called me and told me that the guy that normally sold t-shirts for Jerry had just gotten married and was on his honeymoon. He asked me if I wanted to go. My answer was "Absolutely".
As far as I know, Jerry loved life, he always seemed like one of those guys that was having a blast wherever he went. He did several movies, and many people remember him for that, but, he was also a phenomenal musician. One of the highlights of his show was a song he called "Moggy Fountain Breakdown". He had converted the classic "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" to a minor key. This was the song where he and his band really showed what they could do.
I'll alway remember that week. Nobody can take it from me. It was a tremendous experience. I'm sorry that I missed his passing.
Check out this video from 1975. This is Jerry at his best.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The original Homeland Security...
Last night, my apartment complex had a mixer at the clubhouse. Since I am fairly new here and haven't met a lot of people, I went. There weren't a lot of people there, but I did meet a few.
One lady that I met had moved here in August. She works for the Federal Government in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (something like that). Anyway, we had a good conversation about the Indian tribes that remain in the US.
I said something about being part Indian (my grandmother on my dad's side was part indian, though I don't know the details). Though cordial, she was a little irritated by that. After she explained,I understood why. To an Indian, you are only Indian if you maintain the connection to the traditions. They are a very proud people. It's kind of like the people that move to the United States from other countries and call themselves Americans but don't learn the language or the culture. You can only refer to yourself as Indian if you remain connected to the culture. I understand.
We discussed several things about Indian culture and how important they have been to our nation. I told her about seeing something on the History Channel about "Code Talkers". Her face lit up when I mentioned that. During WWI and WWII, the military recruited Indians as an integral part of their communications system. They could freely speak to each other in a coded language that was based on their native tongue. Encryption can be broken, but a language must be studied for a long time before it can be understood. They were critical to the military. It is a proud moment in time for the Indian culture. We should thank them.
One lady that I met had moved here in August. She works for the Federal Government in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (something like that). Anyway, we had a good conversation about the Indian tribes that remain in the US.
I said something about being part Indian (my grandmother on my dad's side was part indian, though I don't know the details). Though cordial, she was a little irritated by that. After she explained,I understood why. To an Indian, you are only Indian if you maintain the connection to the traditions. They are a very proud people. It's kind of like the people that move to the United States from other countries and call themselves Americans but don't learn the language or the culture. You can only refer to yourself as Indian if you remain connected to the culture. I understand.
We discussed several things about Indian culture and how important they have been to our nation. I told her about seeing something on the History Channel about "Code Talkers". Her face lit up when I mentioned that. During WWI and WWII, the military recruited Indians as an integral part of their communications system. They could freely speak to each other in a coded language that was based on their native tongue. Encryption can be broken, but a language must be studied for a long time before it can be understood. They were critical to the military. It is a proud moment in time for the Indian culture. We should thank them.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A few thoughts from a sinner...
Sometimes, I will see something that hits me funny and I'll take a picture or just post it here and I'll spend a very few minutes and I'm done. Sometimes, I'll have an idea of something to post here and I'll think about it (sometimes for months) before I write anything. These usually take a long time, and I usually wind up crying while I'm writing it.
This one has been brewing for months...
There have been many things that I've been thinking about. It's finally done, I'm ready to write it. I'm going to lose some friends over this more than likely. And that's ok. The main question in my mind is...
Is organized religion what Jesus intended to establish?
If you are an avid reader (thanks mom!) you know that I've mentioned Andy Stanley's video series "Go Fish". This video series was amazing, I enjoyed every minute of it. It's been a while since I saw it, but as I remember, the basis for the whole series was Jesus' invitation to his first followers.
Matthew 4:18-22
The Calling of the First Disciples
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Andy talks about that Jesus didn't say "I will make you Holy" or "I will make you wealthy" or "I will make you a better person" he simply said....I will make you "fishers of men". He then says (as I remember) "followers fish, that's what we do".
The rest of the series is about what it means to fish. It's worth a listen if you get the chance.
I've attended worship services most of my life. My parents took me "every time the doors were open" when I was a kid. There have been periods where I did not go, but when I went through a very difficult period in my life about 12 years ago, there was a congregation (one man in particular) that was very instrumental in pulling me through it. Ever since that time, I attended worship services regularly....until this past January.
Divorce is a nasty ugly business. Most people, don't know what to say or how to handle it. It's easier just to stay away and "not get involved". I understand that...it's cool....really. My divorce has taught me several things that are very valuable to me now.
I want you to understand, I am not angry at organized religion or at any of the people that I've known or been close to. This is just where I am in my thinking. This blog is my outlet.
Over the past few months, I've tried to begin attending worship services again. There is a congregation that is close to where I live now where some of my friends go. They have a very active singles program, so it sounded like a good fit to me. I visited a couple of times. The last time I attended, I was a little late. One of the ushers tried to help me find a seat. We could see some empty seats near the front so we headed there. When we arrived at the pew, we saw that there were song books in the pew. The lady let us know that the seats were "saved" (an interesting use of words now that I think about it). I told the usher that I could find my own seat. I saw some empty seats in another section, near the front. I walked there only to again find songbooks in the seat. I went to the balcony near the very back. I wound up leaving during the sermon.
Please understand, I'm not angry, I'm not taking any sort of revenge by writing this. I'm just telling you my thinking and my experiences.
One of the ideas that I realized while watching Andy's series (I don't know if he said this directly or not) was "If all of your time is spent with people that think just like you....you aren't fishing".
I'm reminded of something that happened years ago...one congregation that I attended had a teacher who is one of the men that I admire most. In one of his classes, he focused on the sin of homosexuality. It was very good, and very Biblical. I can't remember what was happening that afternoon (maybe a men's business meeting) that I attended. I was early and one of the elders and I were alone for a bit. The elder opened the conversation with...."Wasn't the class good today". My response was "Well...I had a brother who was a homosexual, I guess I think that there is Grace for homosexuals too". Needless to say, we didn't see eye to eye on that point.
Later in the afternoon, some men were standing around talking, the topic of the class was also the topic of conversation. One gentlemen who I hold in high regard remarked that he just couldn't deal with someone who he knew was a homosexual. I was a little taken aback by that statement. During the same conversation (this amazed me) the topic of discussion turned to the features and functionality of the latest radar detectors. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I guess I was pretty sensitive at that particular moment. Homosexuality was reprehensible, speeding was ok, even celebrated. For years I've wondered, are they different in God's eyes? I honestly don't know, my current thinking is that they are not. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Someone pointed out to me years ago, that Jesus never ever rebuked anyone for being a sinner. His harshest rebukes were saved for those who considered themselves sinless.
I've mentioned several times here that one of the things that I love to do is listen to live music. The best place to listen to music in Nashville is 2nd avenue. I probably go a couple of times per week. You can pay $8 to park and then go see everything from live bands that are really really good, to karaoke singers who are absolutely terrible. One thing that you are guaranteed to see there is people who think differently from you. I could tell you many stories about the people that I've met. You never know if the stories they tell you are true, but, I've talked to a guy that just got out of prison and needed bus fare to go home. Homeless people that just needed something to eat (I don't give cash, but I'll put you on a bus or buy you something to eat). I also have a very funny story about meeting two sisters that were strippers promoting the club they work at.
I was with a friend from high school, we were going to meet some people that I work with at B. B. Kings. We got something to eat and were walking to the club. We were approached by a man who asked for something to eat. I gave him my normal speech "I won't give you cash, but I'll buy you something to eat" Those that are really hungry will go with you. Somehow, as we were walking to the restaurant, we began talking about worship buildings. I honestly have no idea how that topic came up. Anyway, my friend made the statement that large buildings were built to honor God. I asked "Are we honoring God by buying this man a meal?" she said "Yes". My next statement was, "How many meals could we buy, if we didn't build big buildings?". I remember her stumbling over her response. When I say yes to those who ask for something, it has amazed me how many times the next question is "Are you a Christian?". The prisoner and I had an amazing conversation and prayer while we were waiting for the bus.
The next day, I was talking to the same friend, we enjoy asking each other deep questions. I asked, "What is the test to get into heaven?". Her response was, "There is no test, Jesus did it all". I said, "Well, I think there is a test, and it is pretty clear in the Bible". The discussion finally wound up leading to Matthew 25.
I plan to attend a worship service this Sunday. I will be attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with my nephew. I'm not an alcoholic, but I've thought for years that AA meetings are probably closer to what Jesus intended to establish.
Judge me if you must, I'm going fishing...
This one has been brewing for months...
There have been many things that I've been thinking about. It's finally done, I'm ready to write it. I'm going to lose some friends over this more than likely. And that's ok. The main question in my mind is...
Is organized religion what Jesus intended to establish?
If you are an avid reader (thanks mom!) you know that I've mentioned Andy Stanley's video series "Go Fish". This video series was amazing, I enjoyed every minute of it. It's been a while since I saw it, but as I remember, the basis for the whole series was Jesus' invitation to his first followers.
Matthew 4:18-22
The Calling of the First Disciples
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Andy talks about that Jesus didn't say "I will make you Holy" or "I will make you wealthy" or "I will make you a better person" he simply said....I will make you "fishers of men". He then says (as I remember) "followers fish, that's what we do".
The rest of the series is about what it means to fish. It's worth a listen if you get the chance.
I've attended worship services most of my life. My parents took me "every time the doors were open" when I was a kid. There have been periods where I did not go, but when I went through a very difficult period in my life about 12 years ago, there was a congregation (one man in particular) that was very instrumental in pulling me through it. Ever since that time, I attended worship services regularly....until this past January.
Divorce is a nasty ugly business. Most people, don't know what to say or how to handle it. It's easier just to stay away and "not get involved". I understand that...it's cool....really. My divorce has taught me several things that are very valuable to me now.
- All my life, my relationship with God was represented by my faithfulness in attending worship services. I have learned that your relationship with God is separate from your relationship with a congregation
- People really need other people to help when things get nasty and ugly.
- The term "Church" as it commonly used today, is used incorrectly. When you attend worship services, you are not "going to Church".
I want you to understand, I am not angry at organized religion or at any of the people that I've known or been close to. This is just where I am in my thinking. This blog is my outlet.
Over the past few months, I've tried to begin attending worship services again. There is a congregation that is close to where I live now where some of my friends go. They have a very active singles program, so it sounded like a good fit to me. I visited a couple of times. The last time I attended, I was a little late. One of the ushers tried to help me find a seat. We could see some empty seats near the front so we headed there. When we arrived at the pew, we saw that there were song books in the pew. The lady let us know that the seats were "saved" (an interesting use of words now that I think about it). I told the usher that I could find my own seat. I saw some empty seats in another section, near the front. I walked there only to again find songbooks in the seat. I went to the balcony near the very back. I wound up leaving during the sermon.
Please understand, I'm not angry, I'm not taking any sort of revenge by writing this. I'm just telling you my thinking and my experiences.
One of the ideas that I realized while watching Andy's series (I don't know if he said this directly or not) was "If all of your time is spent with people that think just like you....you aren't fishing".
I'm reminded of something that happened years ago...one congregation that I attended had a teacher who is one of the men that I admire most. In one of his classes, he focused on the sin of homosexuality. It was very good, and very Biblical. I can't remember what was happening that afternoon (maybe a men's business meeting) that I attended. I was early and one of the elders and I were alone for a bit. The elder opened the conversation with...."Wasn't the class good today". My response was "Well...I had a brother who was a homosexual, I guess I think that there is Grace for homosexuals too". Needless to say, we didn't see eye to eye on that point.
Later in the afternoon, some men were standing around talking, the topic of the class was also the topic of conversation. One gentlemen who I hold in high regard remarked that he just couldn't deal with someone who he knew was a homosexual. I was a little taken aback by that statement. During the same conversation (this amazed me) the topic of discussion turned to the features and functionality of the latest radar detectors. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I guess I was pretty sensitive at that particular moment. Homosexuality was reprehensible, speeding was ok, even celebrated. For years I've wondered, are they different in God's eyes? I honestly don't know, my current thinking is that they are not. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Someone pointed out to me years ago, that Jesus never ever rebuked anyone for being a sinner. His harshest rebukes were saved for those who considered themselves sinless.
I've mentioned several times here that one of the things that I love to do is listen to live music. The best place to listen to music in Nashville is 2nd avenue. I probably go a couple of times per week. You can pay $8 to park and then go see everything from live bands that are really really good, to karaoke singers who are absolutely terrible. One thing that you are guaranteed to see there is people who think differently from you. I could tell you many stories about the people that I've met. You never know if the stories they tell you are true, but, I've talked to a guy that just got out of prison and needed bus fare to go home. Homeless people that just needed something to eat (I don't give cash, but I'll put you on a bus or buy you something to eat). I also have a very funny story about meeting two sisters that were strippers promoting the club they work at.
I was with a friend from high school, we were going to meet some people that I work with at B. B. Kings. We got something to eat and were walking to the club. We were approached by a man who asked for something to eat. I gave him my normal speech "I won't give you cash, but I'll buy you something to eat" Those that are really hungry will go with you. Somehow, as we were walking to the restaurant, we began talking about worship buildings. I honestly have no idea how that topic came up. Anyway, my friend made the statement that large buildings were built to honor God. I asked "Are we honoring God by buying this man a meal?" she said "Yes". My next statement was, "How many meals could we buy, if we didn't build big buildings?". I remember her stumbling over her response. When I say yes to those who ask for something, it has amazed me how many times the next question is "Are you a Christian?". The prisoner and I had an amazing conversation and prayer while we were waiting for the bus.
The next day, I was talking to the same friend, we enjoy asking each other deep questions. I asked, "What is the test to get into heaven?". Her response was, "There is no test, Jesus did it all". I said, "Well, I think there is a test, and it is pretty clear in the Bible". The discussion finally wound up leading to Matthew 25.
I plan to attend a worship service this Sunday. I will be attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with my nephew. I'm not an alcoholic, but I've thought for years that AA meetings are probably closer to what Jesus intended to establish.
Judge me if you must, I'm going fishing...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
That helpless feeling....
About 7 years ago, when Sarah was five, she had appendicitis. It was a horrible experience. Kathy had taken her to the doctor earlier in the day. The physician's assistant that looked at her misdiagnosed it. She sent us home. In the middle of the night, Sarah was screaming in pain. We took her to the emergency room. It was in fact appendicitis, they rushed us to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. She had surgery the next day.
There is nothing that can describe the helplessness you feel when your child is taken to surgery. You know that there is absolutely nothing that you can do but wait. The wait is eternal. All you can do is turn it over to God.
After the surgery was over, Kathy and I both stayed in the hospital. The next day, Sarah was able to get up and around. She rode in a wagon to the child's play area and tried walked around some. She walked like an old lady, very small painful steps. It was heartbreaking.
While we were in the playroom though, we met children with much more serious conditions. Sarah's condition was very very minor compared to what some families go through. Where we had one routine surgery with a fairly certain outcome, there are some families who endure multiple surgeries with a tremendous amount of uncertainty. Right now I'm thinking of a young lady named Shelby Glisson who struggled with a lung condition that resulted in a double lung transplant. Shelby goes to the same school as my children. I can remember her dragging a breathing machine around with her everywhere she went. I saw her Saturday at the football game, she is free from her breathing machine and is a beautiful healthy young lady. She does still struggle with the rejection fears. I guess what I'm saying is...what we went through was horrible, but still nothing compared to what some people go through.
By the next Sunday morning, she wanted to go to Church. We wouldn't let her, but she went Sunday night. While we were visiting with friends after the service, we had to get on to her for climbing over the backs of the pews. Kids recover so quickly.
The FCS football game that was scheduled for Friday was postponed to Saturday because of the rain that we had. It was the biggest game of the season, both teams were undefeated and are huge rivals. The game meant a lot. Chris was on the starting offense and on the receiving team. He didn't see much action as far as passes being thrown to him, but I could see that one was thrown to him. From my vantage point, I could see that has was most likely the receiver it was thrown to, but the team was in my way on the sideline so I couldn't see what happened.
A little while later, I saw him and a trainer leaving the field. I ran over to see what happened, they told me that he probably had a concussion and was being taken to the hospital for a CT Scan. I left in front of them to see if I could do any necessary paperwork ( I couldn't ) but the team doctor had called ahead and the hospital was ready for him.
To make a long story short, Chris had a Grade 1 concussion which involves amnesia (he didn't remember catching the ball) but had no other injury. He can't practice or play this week, but he will be fine.
Though divorced, Kathy and I are united when it comes to the kids. we still work as a team where they are concerned. It feels good. But it reminds me that so much of life is out of our hands...
There is nothing that can describe the helplessness you feel when your child is taken to surgery. You know that there is absolutely nothing that you can do but wait. The wait is eternal. All you can do is turn it over to God.
After the surgery was over, Kathy and I both stayed in the hospital. The next day, Sarah was able to get up and around. She rode in a wagon to the child's play area and tried walked around some. She walked like an old lady, very small painful steps. It was heartbreaking.
While we were in the playroom though, we met children with much more serious conditions. Sarah's condition was very very minor compared to what some families go through. Where we had one routine surgery with a fairly certain outcome, there are some families who endure multiple surgeries with a tremendous amount of uncertainty. Right now I'm thinking of a young lady named Shelby Glisson who struggled with a lung condition that resulted in a double lung transplant. Shelby goes to the same school as my children. I can remember her dragging a breathing machine around with her everywhere she went. I saw her Saturday at the football game, she is free from her breathing machine and is a beautiful healthy young lady. She does still struggle with the rejection fears. I guess what I'm saying is...what we went through was horrible, but still nothing compared to what some people go through.
By the next Sunday morning, she wanted to go to Church. We wouldn't let her, but she went Sunday night. While we were visiting with friends after the service, we had to get on to her for climbing over the backs of the pews. Kids recover so quickly.
The FCS football game that was scheduled for Friday was postponed to Saturday because of the rain that we had. It was the biggest game of the season, both teams were undefeated and are huge rivals. The game meant a lot. Chris was on the starting offense and on the receiving team. He didn't see much action as far as passes being thrown to him, but I could see that one was thrown to him. From my vantage point, I could see that has was most likely the receiver it was thrown to, but the team was in my way on the sideline so I couldn't see what happened.
A little while later, I saw him and a trainer leaving the field. I ran over to see what happened, they told me that he probably had a concussion and was being taken to the hospital for a CT Scan. I left in front of them to see if I could do any necessary paperwork ( I couldn't ) but the team doctor had called ahead and the hospital was ready for him.
To make a long story short, Chris had a Grade 1 concussion which involves amnesia (he didn't remember catching the ball) but had no other injury. He can't practice or play this week, but he will be fine.
Though divorced, Kathy and I are united when it comes to the kids. we still work as a team where they are concerned. It feels good. But it reminds me that so much of life is out of our hands...
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Facebook Funnies...
I worked with a fellow by the name of David Hinson years ago. David lived in Sumner county until recently. He now resides in Florida. David and I have kept connected via facebook. Oh, I need to mention that David is one of the smartest guys on the planet.
Today, we had the following interaction on facebook. Geeks will get it, the rest of you don't need to worry about it.
I've been laughing all morning.
Today, we had the following interaction on facebook. Geeks will get it, the rest of you don't need to worry about it.
I've been laughing all morning.
The most beautiful music in the world...
Please pardon my current music kick...however...my love for music has returned with a vengeance. Last night, I went into the used CD store that is across from my apartment. I was thinking...ok.....what are the CDs that I've had in the past that I would like to replace. I browsed through what they had. I was amazed at some of the great music that people had sold. They had a copy of "Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis. I took it out of the case and told the guy behind the counter, "No one should ever give this CD up" he said "Maybe they got the deluxe edition" hmmm....I'll give you that.
Anyway, I was thinking about the CD's that I used to have that I wanted to replace. One CD that I would absolutely love to have but can't find anywhere is one called "Los Lobotomies". It was a live CD recorded by some of the members of Toto. They did some jazz standards some Jimi Hendrix. It was great, but is not available much of anywhere. I bought a copy of it a few years ago when Walmart first opened their online music store. Somehow the license got screwed up with it and I can't listen to it any more.
I did think of one CD that I used to have that got broken somehow. It was the soundtrack to the show "Riverdance". Ever since the first time I heard that music it inspired me. This is music that reaches down in your soul. I saw the show when it came to Nashville about 10 years ago. I found out that it is coming again in February, the day that the tickets go on sale is on my calendar.
A sample of the music is available on their website. Just go to http://www.riverdance.com/ there is a button at the top right that says music player. It plays the music from one of the highlights of the show. Some of my friends and I have been reminiscing on facebook about our old marching band days in high school. One of the things we've talked about is some of the sayings from our band director. Somebody mentioned one that I don't remember him saying, but it applies here.
"If that don't turn you on, you don't have any knobs"
Anyway, I was thinking about the CD's that I used to have that I wanted to replace. One CD that I would absolutely love to have but can't find anywhere is one called "Los Lobotomies". It was a live CD recorded by some of the members of Toto. They did some jazz standards some Jimi Hendrix. It was great, but is not available much of anywhere. I bought a copy of it a few years ago when Walmart first opened their online music store. Somehow the license got screwed up with it and I can't listen to it any more.
I did think of one CD that I used to have that got broken somehow. It was the soundtrack to the show "Riverdance". Ever since the first time I heard that music it inspired me. This is music that reaches down in your soul. I saw the show when it came to Nashville about 10 years ago. I found out that it is coming again in February, the day that the tickets go on sale is on my calendar.
A sample of the music is available on their website. Just go to http://www.riverdance.com/ there is a button at the top right that says music player. It plays the music from one of the highlights of the show. Some of my friends and I have been reminiscing on facebook about our old marching band days in high school. One of the things we've talked about is some of the sayings from our band director. Somebody mentioned one that I don't remember him saying, but it applies here.
"If that don't turn you on, you don't have any knobs"
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
My musical goals....
Last night, I got a phone call from Danny Ray Martin who runs a music school in my old neighborhood called the East Nashville School of Music.
I had been trying to get in touch with him for several weeks to begin taking piano lessons again. That's right, piano lessons. When I was younger, I took piano for many years and frustrated many a piano teacher because I would not buckle down and learn to read notes. I loved playing the piano, but reading notes off of the paper never appealed to me at all.
Finally, my parents found a teacher by the name of June Wolfe. She was absolutely amazing. She could site read Chopin but at the same time played all around Nashville with some of the top big bands in the area. She loved jazz. I can remember her visiting my parents a few years ago at Christmas time. She was playing the piano for us it sounded great, then something happened. I realized that she was still playing the same song, but her hands were playing in different keys.
Anyway, I was taking piano from Mrs. Wolfe. She didn't try to teach me to read notes, she taught me how to read chord charts, how to do chord substitutions, and the Nashville Number System. She took me a long way.
She tried to teach me some pretty sophisticated jazz techniques. The only problem was, I was 15 years old. I listened to rock music and didn't appreciate jazz that much. Thirty years later, I appreciate jazz so much, and I've been kicking myself for years because I could have learned so much.
In some ways, I feel indebted to her. I think she saw a lot of potential in me, but sadly, I didn't take advantage of that opportunity. I don't really see myself becoming a performing musician again, but I really do enjoy listening to music and understanding the underlying chord structures that make it up. In the back of my mind, I've thought about taking piano again, but I couldn't find the time or the teacher.....until now.
When I started working on the idea of taking piano there, I visited their web site (which is impressive) and looked at who their instructors are. I was blown away when I saw that Stan Lassiter was one of the instructors. He is a legend in this area. This is not a place where the little old lady that plays at Church is teaching, these are studio quality musicians with impressive resumes.
Anyway, when I talked to Mr. Martin, we discussed when I would start, and he told me to think about what I wanted to do. What were my goals? I spent today thinking about those goals, so I thought I would share them with you. I will be studying there about an hour a week and squeezing practice time in between work, side jobs, kids sport activities and other general stuff. I had to make my goals reasonable giving the time that I had. So here they are:
I want to be able to play honky tonk piano like Billy Powell from Lynyrd Skynyrd. The best example that I had was the solo on Call Me The Breeze. I want to be able to play gospel style piano like the guy with the Yellowjackets when they play Revelation. I want to be able to improvise and do chord voicings like Bill Evans on Freddie Freeloader. I I would also like to be able to just play like Jeff Lorber and Kenny Gorelick did on Wizard Island. (This was before Kenny Gorelick sissied up and became Kenny G, you have to read Pat Matheny's interview about Kenny G)
I also want to be able to play the Hammond organ like Keith Emerson on Hoedown or Rick Wakeman on Roundabout.
But when I was 10 or 11, the thing that made me really want to play the piano has to be the piano solo in Peter Frampton's Do you feel like we do?
I hope that I'm not being unreasonable ;-)
P.S. I'd also like to be able to play swing like Harry Connick Jr's piano teacher on the version of Stardust from his 25 album. I couldn't find a clip of that though.
I had been trying to get in touch with him for several weeks to begin taking piano lessons again. That's right, piano lessons. When I was younger, I took piano for many years and frustrated many a piano teacher because I would not buckle down and learn to read notes. I loved playing the piano, but reading notes off of the paper never appealed to me at all.
Finally, my parents found a teacher by the name of June Wolfe. She was absolutely amazing. She could site read Chopin but at the same time played all around Nashville with some of the top big bands in the area. She loved jazz. I can remember her visiting my parents a few years ago at Christmas time. She was playing the piano for us it sounded great, then something happened. I realized that she was still playing the same song, but her hands were playing in different keys.
Anyway, I was taking piano from Mrs. Wolfe. She didn't try to teach me to read notes, she taught me how to read chord charts, how to do chord substitutions, and the Nashville Number System. She took me a long way.
She tried to teach me some pretty sophisticated jazz techniques. The only problem was, I was 15 years old. I listened to rock music and didn't appreciate jazz that much. Thirty years later, I appreciate jazz so much, and I've been kicking myself for years because I could have learned so much.
In some ways, I feel indebted to her. I think she saw a lot of potential in me, but sadly, I didn't take advantage of that opportunity. I don't really see myself becoming a performing musician again, but I really do enjoy listening to music and understanding the underlying chord structures that make it up. In the back of my mind, I've thought about taking piano again, but I couldn't find the time or the teacher.....until now.
When I started working on the idea of taking piano there, I visited their web site (which is impressive) and looked at who their instructors are. I was blown away when I saw that Stan Lassiter was one of the instructors. He is a legend in this area. This is not a place where the little old lady that plays at Church is teaching, these are studio quality musicians with impressive resumes.
Anyway, when I talked to Mr. Martin, we discussed when I would start, and he told me to think about what I wanted to do. What were my goals? I spent today thinking about those goals, so I thought I would share them with you. I will be studying there about an hour a week and squeezing practice time in between work, side jobs, kids sport activities and other general stuff. I had to make my goals reasonable giving the time that I had. So here they are:
I want to be able to play honky tonk piano like Billy Powell from Lynyrd Skynyrd. The best example that I had was the solo on Call Me The Breeze. I want to be able to play gospel style piano like the guy with the Yellowjackets when they play Revelation. I want to be able to improvise and do chord voicings like Bill Evans on Freddie Freeloader. I I would also like to be able to just play like Jeff Lorber and Kenny Gorelick did on Wizard Island. (This was before Kenny Gorelick sissied up and became Kenny G, you have to read Pat Matheny's interview about Kenny G)
I also want to be able to play the Hammond organ like Keith Emerson on Hoedown or Rick Wakeman on Roundabout.
But when I was 10 or 11, the thing that made me really want to play the piano has to be the piano solo in Peter Frampton's Do you feel like we do?
I hope that I'm not being unreasonable ;-)
P.S. I'd also like to be able to play swing like Harry Connick Jr's piano teacher on the version of Stardust from his 25 album. I couldn't find a clip of that though.
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