This post briefly describes how my musical influences have changed over the course of my lifetime. In some respects, those interests have come full circle now that I’m retired.
This blog post addresses two questions.
First, What music influenced me when I was growing up?
Second, how has my interest in music changed throughout my lifetime?
Musical Influences as a Teenager
I was a teenager in the 1960’s. Access to music was mostly by the radio, so you took what was being broadcast. Or, you bought records, which I didn’t do.
I was Ok with some country music, but not too much. Certainly wasn’t a big Beatles fan – too commercial. Most definitely not an Elvis fan – tasteless and talentless in my opinion.
I tended more toward folk music, such as by Peter, Paul and Mary. Similarly, I enjoyed music by artists such as Simon and Garfunkel (e.g., The Boxer, Sound of Silence) and the Bee Gees.
But, why that music? Because the songs most often told an impactful story. Lots of that music is available on Facebook and YouTube as original cuts, or later remakes recorded during reunion concerts.
Young and Mid-Adult Years
I began to listen to bluegrass music when I was in my mid-20’s. Actually, I really enjoyed the forceful style and skillful musicianship of bluegrass that was lacking in much of the rock music I was accustomed to.
Later, when I was in my early 40’s, we moved to Ohio. That’s when I had access to a exceptional classical music station in Cincinnati. As a result, as a faculty member I listened to classical music while in my office. I learned about various pieces of music and different artists by listening to the program notes that were read before each piece was played.
In addition, while at Miami University, we subscribed to the performing artist series. The university brought in world-class performers such as cellist Yoyo Ma, violin virtuoso Itzhak Pearlman, and the Cincinnati Ballet and symphony orchestra.
Those performances were incredible, and available in the small town of Oxford, Ohio. They were an important part of my musical influences.
My Musical Influences – Church Music
Unsurprisingly, I was never a fan of contemporary Christian music because of my conservative church background as a Southern Baptist. When my wife and I moved to Miami, Florida very soon after we were married, we joined a large Baptist church.
There, I met Eddie Evans. He deeply believed that music was a ministry. Conversely, music was not entertainment! His songs were anything but contemporary. His music was deeply impactful to me because of his personal testimony and because of the message delivered in each song.
As a child and teenager, I was active in the church choir. But, I was not in the music program at school other than a few years of band in junior high school. Similarly, as a young married adult living in Tampa and Miami, Florida I didn’t participate in any church choir program.
Once we moved to Ohio, after a lengthy break from singing, I became active in church choir again. The music at the American Baptist church there was more formal and liturgical than what I knew before. Several of the musicians were in the local orchestra, thus there was a high-level of musical talent in the church.
Well, talent except for one female who, from time to time, screeched out a fingernails-on-the-blackboard solo!
I’m a Church Music Dinosaur!
Much of the tradition, hymnal-style music has now been abandoned by churches that are actively seeking to grow and minister to a younger congregation. Traditional music is being replaced as churches move to a contemporary worship format, away from using conventional hymns, hymn books, and sheet music.
I get it that music styles must change over time, even for worship services.
In our present church, the choir never uses sheet music, largely singing contemporary hymns accompanied by previously-recorded music. It seems that no sheet music means they’re mostly singing in unison.
The content of the songs is scripturally sound, but the songs are unfamiliar to me.
After singing in church choirs for years, I’m now in a church where I don’t recognize the majority of the music that’s being presented for congregational singing or as special music.
Worse yet, it’s really hard for an old geezer like me to sing along as a member of the congregation when the meter of the songs is so irregular.
All that said, the younger adults in the congregation enjoy the music. So, apparently, I’m a church music dinosaur who has been kicked to the curb by guitar players who don’t count out all the beats in the last measure between song verses!
Post-retirement Musical Interests
I really enjoy the screened porch on our home here in the mountains. The porch faces the west.
In the evenings – except in the dead of winter, once the sun is behind the trees that run alongside the creek, I sit outside on the porch. Often I listen to music on my cell phone that’s available on Facebook and YouTube.
What styles of music am I listening to now?
Well, it’s a mix of the music I heard in the 1960’s as a teenager, plus classical music (e.g., Andre Rieu’s large-audience performances), bagpipe bands, and entertaining pieces such as old clips of Victor Borge’s comedy routines on the piano. Also, I really enjoy hearing “Over the Rainbow” an upbeat song by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.
At this stage of my life, I find that music is a relaxing way to end my day.
How about during the winter? Well, I can listen to those same selections of music on YouTube on the TV in our living room.
Unfortunately, under threat of expulsion from the house into the freezing cold, I must keep the volume turned down really low because someone else in the house doesn’t understand why Wagner’s “Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla” must be played loudly!
Now What?
Ok, that’s a brief summary of My Musical Influences – Then and Now.
As you can tell, the “Now” means I’ve basically come full circle at this current stage of my life in regard to music styles I enjoy.
For tonight, my writing time is over. The sun is setting. So, it’s out to the screened porch for a concert! By the way, the photograph at the top of this post is included so you can see the view of a sunset from our porch.