Music And Family

    This week, we were supposed to interview a family member. I chose my grandmother because a lot of my music appreciation was influenced by her. Here is how it went. I apologize for the length. I tried to shorten it a bit, but I loved it all. I couldn't get rid of much.

Ryleigh: What was your first experience with music?

Tina (My Grandmother): Mama used to play the radio/sing in the house. She used to sing  a lot of gospel. Or “she’ll be coming around the mountain” in the kitchen while cooking. She used to lead the singing at church. 

And everyone used to watch “Hee-Haw.” Daddy always watched it. 

** I find this funny, because her mom always sang “she’ll be coming around the mountain” to me as a kid too.**

Ryleigh: How did music impact your childhood?

Tina: It wasn’t a huge part of my life as a child. I do remember the music at the skating rink was always my favorite. 

I also remember getting a record player for Christmas one year. I got an Alice Cooper record. 

Ryleigh: What were some of your favorite artists/genres as a child? 

Tina: Older country singers. Willie Nelson, George Jones, etc. That's who daddy listened to and that's the people who would have been on hee-haw. Also, probably some gospel because of grandma. 

Ryleigh: How did your music preferences compare to your parents? How did they feel about the music you listened to? 

Tina: well. Daddy and mama always stuck with the classics. They never expanded their horizons. I don’t ever recall them listening to modern music. I listened to everything at the time and it was always evolving. They didn’t mind what I listened to though. They didn’t like change. Not that it was bad, just felt more comfortable in the familiar. They didn't grow with the times. 

Ryleigh: What type of music did you dislike as a child? 

Tina: I never really liked Elvis Presely like everyone else. 

Ryleigh: What kind of technology did you use to listen to music? How has that changed over your lifetime?

Tina: Of course we had a record player. When I was in high school it was eight track. Then to cassette tapes. I've mostly always been a radio person. Now I use Pandora to have genre/artist specific channels. 

Ryleigh: Who were some of the most popular artists when you were a teen? Did you like them? 

Tina: Prince of course. Me and Angie used to sit up and watch him late at night. The disco was big. I am all disco. Lynard Skynner and Marshall Tucker Band and Led Zeppelin. Mostly all the people I still listen to today. 

The disco was always at the skating rink. 

On my school bus I always learned all the new rap music. 

Ryleigh: How did music influence your lifestyle as a teenager? 

Tina: It made it more fun. No matter what we did, or where we were, we always had music playing. I always had music. As far as lifestyle. I don't know. It didn't make me go out an do stupid shit. But it also didn't make me go out and do good shit either. Music did, however, make me happier. 

It also made things more exciting. On Friday nights, you'd play the music and get pumped. 

Ryleigh: Did you/your friends dress a specific way, due to your music preferences? 

Tina: I was always just a blue jeans and t-shirt gal. But, I went to Woodruff, so there wasn’t much diversity. We could have worn disco and studio 64 outfits. I did meet this one guy who dressed more studio 64, but he was a stripper, so. One of my friends wore a bandana around his leg. 

Ryleigh: Where did you listen to music growing up? 

TIna:  

Late teens:  movies with great musical soundtracks. “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Heavy metal” were my favorites. We would play those soundtracks all the time. I used to go see “Rocky Horror” all the time. 

Early twenties: The bars. This is where I first experienced the live bands. Then, my first concert.  “Molly Hatchet and Black Foot.” 

Ironically, one of the boys that went to school with Shea and Jeremy (my mom and uncle), is now the lead singer of “Black Foot.”

Ryleigh: What was the party music during your late teens/ early twenties? 

Tina: Def leppard. That type of music. Billie Jean. All their stuff. Aerosmith. Lover Boy. Prince was still around of course. Michael Jackson. Joan Jett. Foreigner. Bob Seger. 

It’s hard for me to remember the time period of these artists because I have just always listened to them.  

Ryleigh: Tell me about some of your favorite concerts. 

Tina: Prince obviously. Bob Seger was really good. We saw the black keys at heritage park in simpsonville. They were amazing. I would love to see them again. Kid Rock actually puts on a really good concert. Steve Winwood opened for Tom Petty at one concert. He sang, “Dear mr. Fantasy” which is one of my favorite songs of all time. SO, that was exciting. 

Oh yeah. Buddy Guy. Buddy Guy was absolutely amazing. We got to see him the day after he was inducted into the Rock N Roll hall of fame, so that was cool. 

** I was honestly surprised she didn’t tell her story about Gavin Rossdale falling on her at the Bush concert. She got to touch his stomach. She loves to brag about that one!**

Ryleigh: Were you or anyone you know in a band. Tell me about it. 

Tina: well. Cam and Russ. Rob used to be in a band. You know them. No one famous I guess. Doug Jones. Kinda famous. In the South. I used to know lots of the local band guys. In my groupie years. That was before I had a hunk to come home to every day. 

Ryleigh: Do you have any songs that relate to core memories? 

Tina:  “Hot child in the city” by Nick Gilder. I think about the skating rink. 

Ryleigh: Do you and your significant other have a shared song? 

Tina: We don't really have a song do we? Jay (my grandfather) likes to think it’s “Simple man”. So we will say “Simple Man” by Lynard Skynard or Shinedown. 

They both are equally good. 

Ryleigh: I don’t agree. Lynard Skynard sings that one much better. 

Tina: I get it. I always love a good remake. 

Ryleigh: Do you have a song that helped you through a tough time in your life? 

Tina: The buffy theme song. 

**Both Laugh**

I'll tell you a song that always calms me, but I don't know why. “I wanna know what love is.” It always pops up in my head. 

Ryleigh: How do you feel about musicals, operas, etc? 

Tina: Well, we know I love musicals. I have never been to an opera, but have wanted to go to one. I want to go to a dark/morbid one though. I think the music would be better.  I don't think I could drag Jay to the opera though. I barely got him to the ballet. 

Ryleigh: Are there any artists you wish were still alive? 

Tina: Yes. Jimmy Hendrix and Jim Morrison. And Prince. 

Ryleigh: Have you ever played/ wish you played an instrument? Which one? 

Tina: Me and mama got a guitar once. I have always wanted to sing and play the guitar. Daddy’s friend was supposed to teach me, but for some reason we never got around to it. I think he ended up in prison. 

Ryleigh: What makes you feel connected to a piece of music? 

Tina: Hmm. It depends. Some songs I like for the words. And some songs I like for the beat more.  In a lot of songs though, it's the voice. I just love to hear a pretty voice. I like odd voices. 

Ryleigh: What do you think of my musical preferences? 

Tina: I think you have excellent taste. Because you're all over the place too. You know you listen to the hard stuff. Which you know is great. But then you listen to some of the things we listen to too. 

I've never understood people that listen to one type of music. Because you know. All of it is good.