Beginnings
I believe my love of music began before birth in part passed on genetically. I traveled in utero when my mom sang in prisons with the Gospel Echos. As a baby I continued to spent time on the bus rides. I grew up in a church that sang four part acepella. As I grew I sang in our junior choir. Although I did not see it as such at the time, I was given the opportunity to take piano lessons. I remember sitting at the piano and looking out the window to see my pony. I could hardly concentrate on what was in front of me. On that pony, I felt free and could get away from everyone. Aside from occasionally picking up a guitar, which was my instrument of choice at that time, my focus stayed with the horses.
With eight siblings, behaving like they were the main characters of Saturday Night Live, my mother’s family sang songs of old in beautiful sibling harmonies. At times accompanied by a guitar, they would all join in or pair off for special songs. There were the duets by Mel and Christ, the brothers. Christ and Leah brought the Swiss songs complete with yodeling. ( I have heard a great rendition by their grandson and his wife in recent years). Last but not least, was The Hoosieretts, the 3 youngest sisters, one of which was my mom.
My father sang in a gospel quartet for a couple of years. Attending practice, performances, and studio recording sessions with him as a part of The Good Shepherds Quartet gave me a look at what happens behind the scenes.
Experience
In high school as part of the FFA, I paired up with a friend and we sang in a few competitions. The biggest scariest audience was in a small auditorium(not the main one) at the state level. Being front and center felt nerve-racking to me.
Most of my singing after high school happened in church services and on the back of a horse as I conditioned or trained for whatever event I was aiming toward. I often entertained myself singing as I cleaned stalls or any other outdoor activity. I remember making up part of a song as I exercised a specific Thoroughbred race horse, Running from Rosie.
When the occasion presented itself, I would gather with friends and we would have our own jam sessions. We all moved on in life after a season. At summer gatherings a cousin who lived several hours away decided to put a second harmony to my Moms with me singing lead. A fun way to spend a few hours together once or twice a year.
Learning of local gospel jam sessions open to the public, my mom and I began attending. Here, we met Sheila and the three of us began singing together. She knew more local events to attend. Through her we practiced and made plans to sing as a part of the Bremen Holy Walk. For what ever reason, our Christmas songs came together best. Naturally, when we decided to make a CD Christmas music became the focal point. As we prepared for recording, I developed the desire to learn to play a fiddle.
Narrowing down 10 songs we were the best at and all agreed on, we entered the studio and the process began. The time spent creating all aspects of the CD was an education in itself, for me. I loved every part of it!
Beats that Matter… of music and heart!