Music Exposed!!

Here is a quick little today in Rock n Roll history for you. On this day in 1969 it is alleged that Jim Morrison exposed himself on stage in Florida!  

The Lizard King was arrested but the case was still unresolved when he passed away in Paris. 

As I share this information I am not sure if I should encourage random flashing or that you listen to some great music from Jim Morrison and The Doors!

That being said I will lean towards the safe side and encourage you to "Break on through to the other side!"

Watch out Rolling Stone here I come! An Interview with Inaiah Lujan.

It has been a while since I posted.  I have been busy with work and just life, that is what having to little ones will do to you.  I hope that everyone has been doing well and staying busy as well.
As I have said many times Music is a huge part of my life, I mean I am Fatherhood in Stereo.  Music evokes a huge passion in me and can change the mood I'm in, connect me with others and bring me to a place in my head that is needed sometimes.  I have expressed before I do suffer from pretty severe Anxiety and I often times rely on music to get it under control.

I remember when I picked up my first copy of Rolling Stone magazine, I was enthralled with it.  I mean a magazine all about music and culture.  I was able to read interviews from many of my favorite musical artists, I was able to read lists of the best of the best and I got to get up close to many concerts that I never was able to attend.  Let's not forget the covers come on I think we all have a favorite cover. There is the Janet Jackson cover (you know which one I am talking about), Kurt Cobain, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The best part of the magazine were the interviews.  I won't forget the first time I saw Almost Famous I was in awe.  You could travel with bands, listen to music, become close with them and just talk about music?  I mean what could be wrong about that.  Here is the problem though you had to be able to be a quality writer.  We have already covered that is not my strength however dreams do come true.  While working on blog topics I reached out to Inaiah Lujan from The Haunted Windchimes (Check out my last post to read about their music) to see if he would do an interview.  I didn't think I would hear anything from anyone but he responded, and he actually said yes!  I couldn't believe it I got to interview a musician about music.  Even though I am not working for a magazine i was able to mark off a bucket list item and fulfill a dream of mine.  I am amazed by the music that that they create and the type of person that he is.  So with all of that build up here is the interview!!!

How old were you when you started playing music?
I took to music at an early age with interest in the piano… To my parents amazement I learned the demo tune on a tiny Casio keyboard at the age of 3. They got me my first full sized keyboard that Christmas, I believe, which would have been '86 or ’87, I’ve been obsessed ever since. 

Who were your musical influences as a child?
My dad raised me on classical music, Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin were amongst my first favorites. My mom was more into stuff like Dylan and the Beatles. Neil Young was also one of her favorites, it seemed like she always had music playing and I can remember looking at all of her LP’s as a child and attempting to recreate the artwork with my crayons. 

Was music a big part within your family? How did your sister and you end up playing music together?
Yes like I said before, it seemed no matter what the activity, Mom had a record playing in the background… Classical or Flamenco music from Dad to put us to sleep. Chela would sing a long to all of her favorite Disney movies and it wasn’t long before we were singing together trying to recreate our favorite songs and eventually start to harmonize. 

What is like playing in a band with your wife and your sister?
It is truly is a blessing, though challenging at times to have so much talent and creative personalities in one group. It is pure magic when we can tune-in to each other and blend our voices and ideas into song. 

What is the most difficult thing for you being on the road playing music?
I don’t think most people realize how much work goes in to being a touring musician. I mean you are practically living in a van, out of a suitcase going from town to town, show to show and pouring your heart out each night. Nobody’s getting rich, in fact sometimes we return home and have to figure out how we’re going to make the rent. Some audiences don’t care at all… But the one’s that do, the one’s that really pay attention make it all worth while. I think the one thing that keeps us going is our love for the songs, and our passion to share them.  

Do you have a favorite city or town to play music in? Why?
I wouldn’t say we have a favorite town, although many come to mind when thinking on this question… To us the best shows happen when we are in-tune with one another on stage, and the audience is in-tune with us and each other… It takes a lot of people holding each other up to make a successful show, and our biggest successes come when all these elements are working harmoniously towards a unity of mind and spirit.

Where do you get your inspiration from when writing your music?
Life experiences, love, loss… Feeling any emotion intensely enough that if you don’t get it out you might just burst, that’s what being a songwriter is all about. 

How would you describe the music that The Haunted Windchimes make? What makes it different than traditional bluegrass, or folk?
I would describe our music as honest, heartfelt and soulful. 

It’s hard to put any label on our music, but unfortunately to have success in this business you have to play the game, and that includes branding and labeling yourself something even if that something is broad and general in a sense. We make music. It comes out the way it does, we just try to step aside and let it happen organically and when the mood strikes, not by force. We are inspired by all types of music and a lot of non-musical things too. We are simply attempting to translate our experiences in to song and I suppose people relate that to the songs of old, like folk or Americana or Bluegrass… I have no problem personally with these labels, we love all types of music, and see it as a means for people to create a relationship to it, and that is fine by us. 

Besides music do you have any other creative outlets or talents?
We all have other outlets but stay in that realm of creativity. For example my wife Desi is a painter and potter, Chela does beadwork and jewelry, Mike loves to build things, and is always up to some creative project and I do graphic design work, mostly for bands.

Pick one song that is your favorite that you have recorded?  Why is that your favorite?

This changes from day to day, if I had to pick a current favorite it would be my wife’s song 
"Bed of Roses,” she recorded it for a solo EP a few years back and the Chime’s have since picked it up and started playing it live and recorded it for our recent Daytrotter session. The song has an almost uncomfortable honesty but a feeling I believe all people can relate to. In the end we are telling stories from our live’s in hopes that someone, somewhere might relate to it in a positive way, and know that they are not alone in the universe.

Thank you to Inaiah for taking the time to answer my questions.  I hope that this is the first of many interviews to come.  I will continue to wokr at trying to live this small dream of mine!  Please check out Inaiah and The Haunted Windchimes  at www.inaiahlujan.com

Listen to This Now: The Haunted Windchimes.

Earlier this year when I started to pick up writing on this blog again I wanted to be able to share my love of music with everyone.  One of the big things that I wanted to do was to share with you the reader some awesome bands that you may or may not know of.  In return I want you to share bands with me so I can expand my musical horizon as well.  I love it when someone tells me to go listen to a band and I immediately get hooked on them.  This next band was just that.  An instant favorite of mine.

Before I wrote this post I reached out to Inaiah Lujan to ask if they would be okay with my promoting their band and sharing my review.  I wasn't sure if I would ever hear back but almost immediately I did and even got an awesome opportunity, but I am not going to share it all on this post you will have to come back and read the next post.  

The band I want to highlight today is: The Haunted Windchimes.  After this post I hope you will go out and but their album and support these amazing artists.  

Back in December I went to a SoFar Sounds concert here in Denver.  I got the privilege of seeing several bands in a very small venue, I mean probably 30 people.  I heard Inaiah and his wife Desirae perform and this is the first time I had ever heard of The Haunted Windchimes.  I came home that night and found them on iTunes and downloaded all of their albums.

This band has an extremely unique sound.  When I listen to them I feel like I am taken to a different world.  I do not know how you would classify them, are they folk, or are the bluegrass or old time Americana?  I don't know if you can put a label on them besides FREAKING AMAZING!!  This band not only includes a brother and sister playing together but a husband and wife,  They hail from Pueblo, Colorado, what you do not know where that is?  Its in southern Colorado and the population of Pueblo is just a little over 108,000 people.  

The Haunted Windchimes are a band that you would expect to hear on an old vintage radio during the dust bowl.  Their sound is honest and pure.  Inaiah's guitar playing is so fluid and precise.  He makes the guitar sing each note with ease while setting the mood, immediately my mind compared him to Arlo Guthrie.  The band together is what makes The Haunted Windchimes a perfect combination.  Inaiah has his guitar playing and a very soulful voice coming from him that when I saw him I didn't expect.  Desirae and Chela harmonize their voices to the point that it gives me chills, all while they are playing the banjo and ukulele.  They bring a soul and peace to the music that I wasn't expecting.  Its deep and meaningful.  

This is not music that you can listen to if you do not want to feel anything, they have a way of transporting you to a different world with the lyrics and sound.  Just take a look at these lyrics:  

When I come around
I'd really like to see you
Kiss you on the lips before I go
Wrap my arms around your little body
Squeeze you 'till the moonlight takes our soul

I'm leaving here, I'll see you when I see you
Leaving this ghost town, this time for good
Meet me by a train just after midnight
Meet me just like you said you would

When I am listening to them in my car people probably think I am nuts because I am tapping my hands and signing along.  You cant help but become completely engrossed in their sounds and the music.  They have been featured on Prairie Home Companion in 2011 and 2012 and won the Indy Music Award for Americana in 2012.  If  you are looking at buying any music spend your money on The Haunted Windchimes you will not regret it.  Please check back within the next couple of days for an interview I completed with Inaiah and The Haunted Windchimes. 

Here is the bands website complete with bios and videos:  http://inaiahlujan.com/

How do you get your music?

This question came up today between a couple of co-workers and myself today.  How do you get your music?  Do you buy Cd's or records? Do you download music digitally on iTunes, Amazon music? do you stream your music Spotify, Pandora for free of do you pay for streaming services?

I would have never thought that I would be having this conversation 15 years ago.  When I was in high school I was as much into music as I am today.  I remember walking around with my Discman in my back pack or in the back pocket of my JNCO jeans.  I kept my huge CD case in my car and was always listening to music.  I also remember trying to have money so I could go to the store and buy that CD that I had been waiting so long to come out.  I remember going through my parent's old records and realizing how big of hippies they were and are. (side note you know your parents were hippies when you tell your mom "Play Free Bird" and she responds back, no thank you the keyboard part in that song is so boring to play!)  I found a love of music on vinyl records during middle school and now have been able to continue that love of music on vinyl records thanks to the the resurgence of vinyl records. Also who from my generation doesn't remember sitting around the radio trying to make a mixtape for a love interest or friends. I do and it still haunts me when you would hit record too late or stop too early!  

Fast forward to present day and I am always asking for iTunes gift cards so I have a consistent balance on my account so I can buy music whenever I want.  A CD will come out and I can buy it and download it with a touch of a finger first thing that morning or as I lie awake in bed looking at the new music.  I can also stream music with the free services on my phone or iPod while at work through the internet but it is limited unless I want to pay for the monthly service.  Gone are the days of listening to the radio and trying to find out what is new, or waiting for a video to come on MTV and here are the days of opening streaming where you can find new music on a whim and you can pull up a video at any time online.

Has this changed music and the type of music being created?  There are many individuals that have become huge successes because of YouTube or social media.  Can you imagine the hype that the Beatles would have had if social media was around?  Would John Lennon been ripped to pieces when he made his comment about The Beatles being more popular than Jesus?  The Beatles catalog just started being available on Sptotify, this is great for those that do not have their music but I was not overly joyed as I already own almost their complete collection.  I love that I can share my love of music with my children.  Tonight on the way home the kids asked to listen to "Hey Jude" and "Yellow Submarine"..  I was able to plug into my car radio and we listened and sang to these songs all the way home.   I have to say I am so thankful for the download stores and then the current music stores like 2nd and Charles where I can go there and flip through records and share that excitement again of finding that record I was looking for and holding it in my hands

I think feel that this is an interesting conversation that can go in many directions.  Some consider downloading music a crime and then those that feel that Cd's and records are outdated and dying.   My opinion is I could care less how you get music as long as you are listening to music.  I love having my iPod where I have all my music at my finger tips, I like the streaming options so I can find new artists and find new recommendations, but I also love the smell of vinyl records and sharing the experience of having to get up and turn a record over with my kids.  How do you get your music?  Do you have any suggestions or thoughts that you want to share with others?  Please leave comments about your musical taste and band recommendations!

RIP Ziggy Stardust

"Oh no love! you're not alone
You're watching yourself but you're too unfair
You got your head all tangled up but if I could only make you care
Oh no love! you're not alone
No matter what or who you've been
No matter when or where you've seen
All the knives seem to lacerate your brain
I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain
You're not alone"

"Rock 'N' Roll Suicide" -David Bowie

Again I woke up this morning to sad news from the musical world.  I opened my Facebook news feed and I saw a ton of posts about the death of David Bowie.  I immediately thought this is a hoax its not true so I started trying to look into it more and more and all I could find was this was true.  How can it be?  Didn't David Bowie just release an album how could he be dead? 

Blackstar was released on January 8th, 2016.  Now in all fairness I had not listened to it but in my many times of searching around iTunes I had seen that there was a new album.  Immediately when I heard the news my mind started playing the songs and lyrics through my head.  I have said that my brain is full of worthless musical knowledge and song lyrics but moments like this send all those sounds and words flooding into my mind.

Tonight when I got home I pulled up "Space Oddity" on my phone and showed my 5 year old son the video.  David Bowie in all his glory with red fire hair sitting with a guitar singing about Major Tom.  I have loved this song from the very first time I heard it.  I do not know why but it has resonated with me.  It is simple and acoustic but the lyrics tell a vibrant story.  I could always sing along with it and always wanted to learn how to play it on my guitar.  I even bought a book of guitar music for the sole reason that it had this song in it.  Sadly I have never learned how to play it but maybe someday.

David Bowie was Art in its true form.  He was Art, he lived Art and I am thankful that he was never afraid to show this.  He released 27 total studio albums.  Let that sink in for just a little bit, 27 studio albums.  He was relentless in his music and lyrics.  He stated that when he created Ziggy Stardust that he had committed himself so much to this persona that it actually was making him ill and that he was questioning his sanity. 

His voice has an amazing quality to it and when you hear a song you can almost immediately say that is David Bowie.  Even tonight I was watching the "Lazarus" video again and my wife said that still sounds like him.  I thank him for being willing to show the world who he really was and not being afraid of criticism or not fitting the mold.  He said in an interview with Rolling Stone "A song has to take on character, shape, body and influence people to an extent that they use it for their own devices,  It must affect them not just as a song, but as a lifestyle,  The rock stars have assimilated all kinds of philosophies, styles, histories, writings and they throw out what they have cleaned from that."

I for one love David Bowie's music and if you have not listened to any before please do yourself a favor and go find some and listen to it.  Take it in let the sound and lyrics resonate with you.  Listen to the story and allow yourself to go on the adventure with him.  

Well all the people have got their problems
That ain't nothing new
With the help of the good Lord
We can all pull on through
We can all pull on through
Get there in the end
Sometimes it'll take you right up and sometimes down again

"It Ain't Easy"-David Bowie

The Day John Lennon Died

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

"Imagine" by John Lennon

On this day in 1980 John Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman outside his New York apartment just hours after John Lennon had signed an autograph for him on his Double Fantasy Album.  I wasn't even born yet and had no idea how much his music would mean to me or play a role in my life.  

When I was growing up my parents were pretty strict with music and my father was/is quite into country music.  Now, if you know me you know that I am not a fan of country music at all so we didn't really bond over this, but we did over the Beatles.  On our way to church on Sunday mornings we would often times listen to Breakfast with the Beatles.  I then found the awe that is their music and the poetry within their lyrics.

Now I know that John Lennon was not a perfect person by no means.  I have read a lot about him as I have grown up and taken an interest in him.  So please do not feel like you need to tell me how horrible of a person he was, however his music was amazing and his lyrics still have a special place in my heart and will always resonate with me.

We're playing those mind games together
Pushing the barriers planting seeds
Playing the mind guerrilla
Chanting the Mantra peace on earth
We all been playing those mind games forever
Some kinda druid dudes lifting the veil
Doing the mind guerrilla
Some call it magic the search for the grail

Love is the answer and you know that for sure
Love is a flower you got to let it grow.

"Mind Games" by John Lennon

I have shared my love for the Beatles with my son, Jude.  He knows who they all are and whenever he hears "Hey Jude" he says that is his song.  It is something that we have been able to bond over and I hope he will continue to share with me as he grows older.  We listened to "Imagine" tonight on the record player and I sang along with all the words.  Is it wrong to imagine the world living in peace?  Yes some of his thoughts maybe considered "Radical" but sometimes we need those to make us think about things from a different perspective. 

I think that I will continue my tradition of listening to John Lennon's music on this day and like I said I hope that his music will continue to be part of my life with the kids.  Thank you Mr. Lennon and my your dream live on!

My top 5 underrated singer/songwriters

As many of you know I have a huge love of music and love sharing music with others and with my family.  I have tried to expose my children to many different types of music.  They listen to records with me, dance to Sammy Davis Jr., sing along to the Beatles, and (thanks to Censie) make me sing along with Kelly Clarkson!  

Music has been something that has gotten me through a lot of tough times and brought me close to others.  While I was in the hospital recovering from my Ileostomy surgery I listened to music quite a bit, it helped me immensely during that time.  

This brings me to our current conversation.  Who are my top five singer/songwriters?  Why did this come up?  I was talking to a co-worker the other day I brought up Jim Croce and the co-worker had no idea who I was talking about!  I was shocked so I wanted to compose this list and share my musical thoughts. 

Top Five Singer/Songwriters

#5 Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm:  

Levon Helm was born in Arkansas and was the drummer and multi instrument member of "The Band".  The Band is often times known for their southern Roots Rock band, but all other members of The Band were from Canada, Levon Helm was the only American born member.  Robbie Robertson is often times credited for writing all the songs but Levon Helm has claimed that they were mostly written collaboratively, this was an ongoing feud.  The Band had many notable songs and The Last Waltz was an amazing collaboration last concert between many musicians.  I am actually going to see a Last Waltz Revisited concert in Denver here in a couple of weeks.  Some of the best songs from The Band are:  Up On Cripple Creek, The Weight, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Atlantic City, Rag Mama Rag, and Ophelia.  

#4 Randy Newman

Randy Newman is probably best known for writing songs for Pixar Movies, most notable Toy Story.  The kids and I will sing "You've got a Friend in me" all the time when listening to Toy Story.  Many though do not know that he had a great musical career prior to these movies.  Randy Newman has been a professional songwriter since he was a teen.  He is an amazing singer and piano player and is great to listen to.  Some of his greatest songs are:  Mama Told Me (Not to Come), You can leave your hat on, Short People, and I Love L.A.

#3 Jim Croce

I grew up listening to Jim Croce songs before I knew who he was.  I have shared my love for his music and story telling with my family.  More than likely you have probably heard his songs before and probably sang some of them without knowing they were written and sung by him.  Jim Croce's career was unfortunately cut short when the plane he was on clipped a pecan tree causing it to crash.  Jim Croce had a great way of telling a story during his songs so that as the listener you could see in your head everything he was talking about.  Some of his best songs are :  Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, You Don't Mess Around with Jim, Time in a Bottle, Operator, New York's Not My Home, Roller Derby Queen,. Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy), I Got a Name, and I'll Have to Say I Love You In a Song.

#2 Harry Chapin

There are many songs that were written or sung by Harry Chapin that many individuals know of the song, but like Jim Croce, they do not know that they were written by Harry Chapin.  Harry Chapin is probably best known for his song "Cats in the Cradle" a song about a father being too busy with work to spend time with his son. One of my favorite songs.  Chapin, like Croce, as well died in an accident but a motor vehicle accident.  Harry Chapin was also a great humanitarian trying to fight world hunger.  He started the Harry Chapin Food Bank (Long Island Food Bank) in 1980 a year before his death.  Harry Chapin was also a great story teller and could paint a picture with words and music that amaze me.  Some of my favorite songs are :Cats In The Cradle, Flowers are Red, Taxi, Mr. Tanner, I Wanna Learn a Love Song, 30,000 Pounds of Bananas, Circle and Dancing Boy.

#1 Warren Zevon

A great singer song writer that also suffered from a very bad case of OCD but was an amazing singer, song writer and story teller.  One of his compulsions was buying and hoarding grey Calvin Klein shirts.  He actually built a great friendship with Billy Bob Thornton around having OCD.  Warren Zevon played piano for Everly Brothers and actually played with REM.  Warren Zevon is probably best known for "Werewolves of London".  This has been played at almost every piano bar that I have been to, and is a crowd favorite.  Warren Zevon had many other great songs some of my favorites are: Lawyers, Guns and Money, Excitable Boy, Mr. Bad Example, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, Desperados Under the Eaves, Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner, and Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead.  

These are just a few of the musicians that I love and wanted to share with you.  I would enjoy hearing about some of the musicians that you enjoy so I can expand my musical knowledge and enjoyment as well.  I hope you will listen to these artists if you have never heard of them and maybe you will enjoy them as well.  

Third time's the charm!

So I know that I have tried this before but I am going to try and get my blog up and running again. I have been very busy with my new job and the family,  but I have a strong desire to have this blog be read by others and share my experiences as a husband, father and as a person. 

Everyone in this world has a story and has something to share and this is my attempt to share a part of who I am. My amazing wife Censie has had an amazing blog for quite some time now so I have a great coach on how to do this but just have to put forth the effort. 

This blog started while I was dealing with an Inflmatory Bowel Disease known as Ulcerative Colitis. This still continues to be a huge part of my life but since my ostomy surgery I have tried to make it a smaller part of my life than it has been. 

Here is a little about me for those of you who do not know me. I love being a father and daddy. It is amazing, I never thought I could feel this way and that I would love this role in my life so much. They challenge me on a daily basis but I love them and would do anything for them.

I have been married to Censie for twelve years, I know I can't believe that she has put up with me for that long either. I am the luckiest man because she chose to be with me and I am so thankful for that. 

I am a huge sports freak. I love watching sports and pretty much anything to do with sports. I am a huge Red Sox fan and a Broncos fan, although I don't get to watch many sports any more because I am usually watching kids shows like "Miles from Tomorrowland " with the kiddos.  

As you can tell I am also a huge music lover, especially classic rock!  I am working on building my vinyl music collection and working to teach my kids about great music, but despite my best efforts they also love listening to pop music. 

I look forward to sharing more experiences and stories with everyone!

Mom, Mother, Moeder, Mutter, Madre, and Maman!

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it."

Mark Twain

No matter how you say it she is my mom and I am thankful for her.  She has been my best friend and a rock for my whole life and now I get the pleasure of seeing her as a grandmother and being able to share her love with my children. I always get a little smile on my face every time Jude asks if we can go to see his Arizona Grrmama.  I am glad that my children love her as much as I do!

My mother had a lot to put up with as I was growing up, I know this comes as a surprise but I was a little bit of a headache growing up and we went through many, many, many growing pains together.  The best part of it is that no matter how much I may have tried to push them away or no matter how bad I screwed up my mom was always right there standing by my side loving me and supporting me.  

My mother has been there for me when I would wake up in the middle of then night crying because my legs hurt so bad from growing pains and she also was the one walking around with me outside in the middle of the night because I had croup so bad that we had to try to get out in to the cold air.  My mother dealt with me coming home in jeans that were so big you could have smuggled a family in them and also my multiple, multiple hair colors, piercings and tattoos.  Still no matter what my mother always came to me and told me "I Love You!"

We have had yelling matches in high school about how mean she was and how I was never going to live up to her expectations but here I sit today thankful that she never gave up and had such high expectations for me because I am the man I am today because of my mom.  She is one of the first people I call when things are going tough and she is always there with an open ear and allows me to vent and also will try to make me laugh. I remember when I had my Ostomy surgery in January my mom sat next to my bed and rubbed my arm while I was running a fever and was in pain so I could go to sleep, see even at 31 I needed my mom.   I would not be half the man I am today without my mother.  You can call me a mamma's boy all you want I will always be thankful and attached to my mom.  

Its funny I was listening to a song by Slim Cessna's Auto Club the other day "Children of the Lord" it takes a part from the Sunday School Song.  It has a part in it that goes "Rise and shine and give God the Glory, Glory" and I had to laugh some while singing this because I couldn't do anything but think of my mom singing this to me while I yelled at her to go away while I was trying to sleep!  Thank you mom! I love you more than I could ever tell you!  

John, Paul, George and Ringo!

I am just going to go ahead and put it out there The Beatles are the best band ever!!!! 

 

The Beatles were formed in 1957 but even here in 2012 they play a huge role in my life and the band and music are things that I hold very close to my heart.  I remember listening to my father's old vinyl records and being complete enthralled with the music.  As soon as I was able to get him to change the radio station we would listen to "Breakfast with the Beatles" as we would drive to church on Sundays.  Now besides baseball this was something that I was able to have a close connection with my father with. 

 

So how much did the band play a role in my life at this point.  Our two year old son is Jude, and yes he is named after the song "Hey Jude."  The only time that someone thinks different is when talking to my old Pastor and he puts out that it is also one of the twelve apostles and is referred to as Jude the brother of Jesus.  Sure if he wants to go with that then who am I to step in but it is definitely from the song (Shh don't tell him, good thing he doesn't read my blog :)  I am very proud of this because it is something that we hold very close and we share together.   

 

If you have ever spent any time with me you know that I have a huge love for music.  I am constantly listening to music in my car, at work, and at home as much as I can.  I am a huge fan of classic rock and have shared this love of music with my son Jude.  It is something that we have been able to bond over and share a love for. 

 

My wife recently took Jude to a library reading time and they sang some classic child songs.  Now don't get me wrong they all are great and Jude does love doing the "Hokey Pokey" and also "Head, Shoulder. Knees and Toes" but he also loves listening to music with mommy and daddy.  Censie posted something on facebook questioning on whether or not we should be teaching him more kids songs or continuing to share or love of music with him. Most people agreed that we should continue to foster he love for all different types of music, YAY US!!!!! Now Jude is only two years old but today on the way home from Grandma and Grandpa's he sang the first minute and a half of "Hey Jude" almost word for word.  My heart jumps for joy as I hear him singing in the back seat.  He knows that this is "His Song" as he says it.  Maybe someday I will tell him about the true story of the song. 

 

After partaking in "Hey Jude" we proceeded to listen/sing "Yellow Submarine".  Again my heart is just beaming with joy that we can share this time together.  I am glad that Jude enjoys music and has already started picking up the melody and the differences in the music as well.  I feel that there is a complexity in The Beatles music with all their different styles and sounds.  Jude also at this point can tell you who is in The Beatles and what instrument they play.  He will assign you instruments to play while singing the songs with him,.  He likes to play the guitar and piano, he really likes playing the piano with his grandma.  I am so thankful that he enjoys music, I am not going to force what music he has to listen to but I do want him to enjoy music.  I feel that listening to music is a great stress relief and provides individuals with a deep connection with something. 

 

So maybe I am not teaching him all the traditional child songs, I will be working on that so that he does feel like he knows those songs but will continue to foster the love for music within him.  I feel that there is nothing wrong with it, at least it isn't country music right?  

FAC

F. A. C

      It is called the Infamous Friday Afternoon Club.  This used to have a whole new meaning to me prior to being a parent.  I used to look forward to Friday nights because Censie and I usually had plans to go out with someone. 

Now that I am a parent this is why I look forward to Friday.

    I am a very lucky father because I get to work a half day and then go pick up Jude on Friday afternoons.  He is usually very excited to see me when I get to go pick him up because it is different.  This is a picture of Jude coming home from Grrmama's and Pa's house as he calls them.  He typically does not make it all the way home but that is ok with me.  I LOVE the time that I get to spend with him and I hope that it will be something special to him as he gets older. 

Today as typical we had to listen to "Yellow Submarine" and "Hey Jude" on our way home and he sang the whole way home then fell asleep.  This is an image that I love seeing as a father and it holds a special place in my heart.  I have to say even though I am not going out and "tearing up the town" I am even more excited to spend my Friday Afternoon Club with Jude.  I am one lucky daddy!  Have a great weekend everyone!