Where did you grow up?: I grew up
at a lot of places. The last place I grew up in was in
Spartanburg
(My Grandmas dad was in the army, so she traveled a lot when
she was little)
What decade were you growing up in?: I was born in 1951
What was your first memory of music?: I cant say that
because I heard a lot of little things when I was a little kid growing up. I
heard little music in school but talking about something that I cared about or
something that I paid attention to..uhhh. A summer place by Percy faith
orchestra.
What musical influences were present in your life?: Lets see,
Im going to say Rhythm and blues and R&B
So do you know about Bessie Smith?:Yes I know about her
music but I was not a big fan of her music
What genres of music did you like or dislike?: Oh my gosh..I like some of everything. I like
some country music that I like. Just like I don’t like jazz but I like smooth
jazz.
(I know my Grandma likes Kenny G and a jazz singer named Kem.
This is one particular song I know that she likes by Kem.)
Did you play any instruments or sing?: I used to sing in my
High school choir. I loved to sing
Were you involved with any music groups?: No.
Did religion play any part in the music you listened to or
performed?: No
(I was surprised by her answer because my Grandma’s Grandma
was a STRONG Jehovah witness so I would think her Grandma would have a lot of
influence.)
Were you exposed to music through television? What was it
like?: Yes, they had American band stand and The Ed Sullivan show. I can’t
remember all of those shows.
Who was your first Celebrity Crush: Troy Donahue
Oooo he is a cutie.
What was your first live musical experience? Like, what was
your first pop concert?: I was in Jr.
High school. It was Linda Jones but I do not remember the big name that my
friends and I went too.
What did your parent listen to as you were growing up?: Rhythm
and Blues
How did you learn about new music?:Listening to the Radio
What was the first sort of music you owned? What was the
format?: Let’s see, “But It’s all right” by JJ Jackson in 1966. I was in the 8th
grade and it was a vinyl record.
Where and when Did you listen to music?: At home and whenever I had some free time
What types of social issues influenced the music of your
time?: The civil rights movement you can say in the 60’s. (After she said that
my Grandma started played “But its all right)
This is a fun interview, Sherami. I remember finding a pile of sheet music in high school and playing through it over and over--and one of the pieces was the theme to "A Summer Place." I think I might still have it in my office. Too, my father's fondest dream for me is that I would become the Kenny G of the oboe. Somehow I don't think that's going to happen...
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Sherami! I loved listening to "theme from A Summer Place," which was very exciting because I'm 95% sure this is the same opening theme from it's always Sunny in Philadelphia. Also, "But It's Alright" is super jamming. The one thing that was a little confusing was that I wasn't super sure who you were interviewing at first, although later on I did figure out it was probably your Grandmother. Great Post!
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