My Love For Music

I remember waking up to music playing in the house. All genres of music: Classical, Country, Blues, Pop. We didn't have so many artists then in Nigeria, so we listened more to foreign music.

My Dad loved music, so that influenced our love for music.

It was our life. Morning, afternoon and night. All-year-round. Except he's not around.

By the time we were a bit older, we didn't have to wait for him. We played music by ourselves.

To date, music is my best therapy. No matter how I feel, I only need to play the right song and VIOLA! Relief.

Some/Plenty of tears could be released, but I always end up feeling better. But I choose my content. I like clean lyrics.

I grew to love people like Dolly Parton. Some of my favourite songs by her, "Coat Of Many Colours", "I'll Always Love you", "My Tennesse Home", which I'd listen to and think about my home town that I used to love.

Don Williams! Oh boy, songs like "I believe in you", "Some broken hearts never mend", where my siblings and I will be rushing to finish the song before him, "my love for you will never die..."

Kenny Rogers, I especially loved him. His voice texture. So rich! His death pained me especially! Songs like "Islands in the streams," "Buy me a rose," "Coward of the country," and "Evening Star" brings back memories so sweet, yet so painful. Nostalgic.

Michael Jackson!

Hmmm... My brother, Victor, especially loved him! So much! I think that's what influenced his desire to be a musician. My dad tried to discourage him, but I guess his love for the arts was born from then. My personal favourite is "Black Or White"

When Michael died, my brother grieved. He grieved like it was a family member that had died. We were consoling him and begging him to eat for days. Mum got tired and went looking for him. She was shocked when she saw his state!

Kwot!!! (Exclamation of shock/disbelief)

"Dangin uwa ko uba (are you related through your mother or father)?" She exclaimed. 

We explained the gravity to her and she ended up talking him out of it. 

My brother left his room for the first time after three days and managed to eat something. He never forgot Micheal till he passed on.

That's how much impact music had on us.

I guess singing was also borne from there. My Dad had a beautiful baritone! Jesus! I wish I recorded him singing at some point. I'd stop everything I was doing just to listen when he sang. Maybe if he had grown up in another part of the world, he would have been a renowned singer!! Just Maybe😜😛?

My sister and I especially took the love of music further. We started to sing in the choir, we did it for years. I haven't sung in a few years now but it's still something I love. I sing on my own always. My sister is really doing well. I'm so proud of her! I'll pick it up soon. 

Every other person sings ooo. Mum used to be in the choir as well.  In fact, she sang till the end. 

My brothers all had talent. Douglas had a flare for hip-pop, but he didn't live long enough to explore it. 

Victor was more of a songwriter.

Dennis has the voice but he hasn't used it yet.

We used to exchange CDs with Daddy. On one such occasion, I found a Dolly Parton CD he didn't have, I bought it for this man. Joyfully! 

I couldn't wait to get home to hand it over to him. I brought it out and gave him. I was about to tell him how I bought it especially for him, only for this man to accuse me of taking his CD! I was still trying to get over the shock of the accusation when he asked me for the rest of his missing CDs.

"Haba Daddy! Ask your wife now. You know she can burn anything she thinks is trash!" I said, sulking.

He let out a hearty laugh and thanked me for the CD.

#RollingMyEyes 

Those things we did together are the things that keep me going. I reminisce, then I smile or let out a tear, or two as the case may be.

Let me ask you;

-What memories have you created with your loved ones?

-What values are you instilling in your kids/wards, especially? 

-What will they remember you for?

 Make the most of every opportunity!

Life is short!!

Life is transient!!!

#Do you have a story you'd like to share? Send an email or chat me up...

#PHOTO CREDIT:  GOOGLE