Mountain Music...
"Play me some mountain music, like Grandma and Grandpa used to play..." -Alabama
You know, I have come to really love and appreciate "bluegrass" or "mountain" music. This morning, we ended our worship service with "I'll Fly Away"; to add to the effect of the song, I played mandolin, and Jerry played banjo, along with the normal guitar, bass, drums, piano. SO FUN! It meant so much to me to play!
Why? A few reasons.
One--the mandolin I played belonged to Jerry's father-in-law (Debbie's father), who passed away earlier this year. He was such an incredible man! So playing his mandolin meant so much.
Two--my great-grandfather played many instruments, one of which was the mandolin, and one of my goals is to play everything he played.
Three--one of the songs I can remember him playing and singing was "I'll Fly Away." I really miss my great-grandparents, but feel privileged to have known them for the time I did.
People in my life have often called me a "redneck" because I like NASCAR, because I (now) enjoy bluegrass music, and because I come from Red Bluff (which is known for having the world's largest three-day rodeo). And I used to take offense at that--because I do not consider myself to be a redneck. These things in and of themselves do not make me a "redneck."
People have often been very blunt in their opinions of things such as these, trying to make me change who I am because they don't happen to be that way. And, for awhile, I did. I became someone that I am not, just to please these people.
But something that I am realizing is that I am proud of my "mountain" heritage. My grandparents are from Arkansas and Oklahoma. They play instruments like the mandolin, the banjo, and yes, I'm sure even the jaw harp. And you know what? I love it! It is so fun to sit and jam with family members (like we did at our reunion this year) with so many fun instruments, playing songs that everyone can play--meaning generally old hymns and "mountain songs". The younger and older generations can both participate...and it is seriously such a great time.
I am proud of the fact that my family enjoys NASCAR and various other types of racing together. I am proud that my father has taught my brother and I so much about automobiles and how to take care of them properly. Pretty much every Sunday after church was spent watching the race together, usually as a family. So when I think NASCAR, I think "family." There is nothing wrong with racing, and I am glad that I have grown up with it!
Do these things make me a redneck? Perhaps. Do I care? NO! I am who I am, and I am proud of my roots. I am not going to hide my heritage just to please anyone else. :)
Sorry for the strange post...I just have been doing a lot of thinking today, and in the past few weeks, and I decided it was time to share these thoughts with the world. :)
Time to listen to some Nickel Creek...:)
You know, I have come to really love and appreciate "bluegrass" or "mountain" music. This morning, we ended our worship service with "I'll Fly Away"; to add to the effect of the song, I played mandolin, and Jerry played banjo, along with the normal guitar, bass, drums, piano. SO FUN! It meant so much to me to play!
Why? A few reasons.
One--the mandolin I played belonged to Jerry's father-in-law (Debbie's father), who passed away earlier this year. He was such an incredible man! So playing his mandolin meant so much.
Two--my great-grandfather played many instruments, one of which was the mandolin, and one of my goals is to play everything he played.
Three--one of the songs I can remember him playing and singing was "I'll Fly Away." I really miss my great-grandparents, but feel privileged to have known them for the time I did.
People in my life have often called me a "redneck" because I like NASCAR, because I (now) enjoy bluegrass music, and because I come from Red Bluff (which is known for having the world's largest three-day rodeo). And I used to take offense at that--because I do not consider myself to be a redneck. These things in and of themselves do not make me a "redneck."
People have often been very blunt in their opinions of things such as these, trying to make me change who I am because they don't happen to be that way. And, for awhile, I did. I became someone that I am not, just to please these people.
But something that I am realizing is that I am proud of my "mountain" heritage. My grandparents are from Arkansas and Oklahoma. They play instruments like the mandolin, the banjo, and yes, I'm sure even the jaw harp. And you know what? I love it! It is so fun to sit and jam with family members (like we did at our reunion this year) with so many fun instruments, playing songs that everyone can play--meaning generally old hymns and "mountain songs". The younger and older generations can both participate...and it is seriously such a great time.
I am proud of the fact that my family enjoys NASCAR and various other types of racing together. I am proud that my father has taught my brother and I so much about automobiles and how to take care of them properly. Pretty much every Sunday after church was spent watching the race together, usually as a family. So when I think NASCAR, I think "family." There is nothing wrong with racing, and I am glad that I have grown up with it!
Do these things make me a redneck? Perhaps. Do I care? NO! I am who I am, and I am proud of my roots. I am not going to hide my heritage just to please anyone else. :)
Sorry for the strange post...I just have been doing a lot of thinking today, and in the past few weeks, and I decided it was time to share these thoughts with the world. :)
Time to listen to some Nickel Creek...:)
posted by Lesa at 9/19/2004 01:28:00 PM
<< Home