As a kid my Dad loved country music, the good stuff, the honky tonk stuff. There would always be Dwight Yoakam, The Nitty Gritty Dirt band, or Clint Black playing on the stereo or in the truck. I loved this stuff and still do. There is something about the big guitar and the twangy voice that I relate to. Lyrically they there seems to be more sadness than happiness in their songs which I am a sucker for. Though shortly after childhood I would run far from this form of country music by college I found my way back to it and now my perennial favorites are Buddy and Julie Miller.
Next we'll enter into middle school and what I'll call my heavy rock phase. By no means was it hard rock. I listened to Bush, and Bush alone for most of the seventh grade and all through eighth grade. We can do a psychological study on why this type of music dominated my middle school years but I think its safe to say I was angry and alone and expressed it through what I was listening to.
High School. I don't know if this is true for most people but this is the place where I learned a ton about music and some of my favorite genres were acquired. Through all the friends I made and kept I learned of new music and new ways of listening.
Freshman year: I became a rap fan. The first concert I payed for was to see Wyclef Jean and the Refugee Allstars on the carnival tour. This was the seal the deal concert experience for me. Wyclef prolonged the show for 4 hours, the last 2 just being him DJing on the stage while the JMU convocation center broke it down. He was forced to stop at midnight and a small part of me hoped all concerts would be like this.
Sophomore Year: My sister started dating this guy who was in a punk band. He made her a couple mixtapes (literally) that I then stole and listened to. I couldn't get over the fast beats and loud voices of the garage and pop punk scene. I probably never have or will listen to what would be viewed as PUNK but the angst that was found in early emo and still exist in mainstream emo has a special place in my heart. I think if someone finds emo at the right time they will love it always, and if they don't they just think its whiny boys not getting what they want.
Junior Year: I met Nick and really started hanging out with Maggie. These two I would say have had the strongest musical influence on me. Maggie was my introduction to bluegrass, folk and my first glimpse into the indie scene. Nick and I would check out all the local band shows and what was going on in town. They both loved the classics, jazz and things not of the mainstream. I believe I can say I owe my appreciation for all times of music and a desire to seek out the best from the two of them.
Senior Year: Not much had changed I was simply beginning to walk in the new music shoes I had established the year before.
Now lets talk about a few more people from high school. Joe Glick: Biology teacher and friend. He introduced me to Daniel Lanois and got me to love the Indigo Girls. Davey: Debate coach and friend: introduced me to Ben Harper (and the singer songwriter) and to James Brown Fridays. He also gave me a view into what college and music would be like. Carolyn and Erin: best friends and music lovers. Carolyn made me my first burned cds and Erin always had something new for us to listen to.
The compilation. I have always been a big fan of compilation cds, both for causes and trendy give aways from clothing stores. You might not remember but American Eagle and others, would have cds to go along with purchases ever so often. These cds introduced me to 2 of my favorite artists (whiskeytown (leading the Ryan) and Jimmy Eat World). Also opening my eyes even more to the world of indie music and what was out there past the mainstream music stores in the mall.
As we head into college and post college, I've continually expanded what I've listened to with in the genres I learned to love in high school. The notables are Dom, he and I would go over possible new artist and cds and always rate what we thought would be good. He also helped to cultivate my love of pop culture. Brett, he might be my musical soulmate (creepy I know) or really just the greatest music friend (and friend) a guy could have. He solidified my pop culture love, And then there is Kari, though we quickly came to realize we don't like the same things, our paths cross at some pivotal points and our mutual love of music is understood and appreciated.
I know there are more people and genres I could continue to mention but this is long and I think you get the idea. It seems I loved music long before I knew and my dad once again had the starting say. Where some follow trends in fashion I follow trends in music (and yes in fashion) I love what is new and cherish what is old. I'll leave you with a list of songs you just might want to check out:
Little Sister by Dwight Yoakam
Killing Time by Clint Black
Machinehead by Bush
Little Things by Bush
Swallowed by Bush
Bubblegoose by Wyclef Jean
Poly Sci by John Forte
Guns don't Kill Ducklings, Ducklings Kill Ducklings by I don't remember
16 Days by Whiskeytown
For Me This is Heaven by Jimmy Eat World
Long Black Veil sung by Johnny Cash
Off to Sea Once More by David Grissom and Gerry Garcia
SoWhat by Miles Davis
Desire by Ryan Adams
The Island by the Decemberist
Prostitute 2 by Lil' Wayne
Good Morning by Kayne West
Rock Salt and Nails by Buddy and Julie Miller
