Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Thirty One Years of Music: Part 1



My mama tells the story of a little Nigel standing on the counter at the Dairy Queen singing the song Elvira. I was probably two or three years old and loved the attention. That has not changed. I guess I was destined to love music. My parents chose to name me Nigel from the drummer in Elton John's band, Nigel Olsen.
My story today will hopefully take you through my thirty one year old love affair with music. Another story I have is one of a sick little Nigel who was in the hospital as a baby. Mama tells me that she slept in the bed next to mine and I would reach out my little hands and ask her to sing Jesus Loves Me over and over again I guess those are two of my earliest song choices. Now mind you I dont remember either of these events I have just been told about them.
The first music event I remember was the song Man-eater by Hall & Oates. I remember this song playing over and over when we would go to the city pool in Ideal. The water was so cold there and Hall & Oates played, what else could you need. I also remember Daddy getting the new Toto album and having Rosanna play on repeat. I think we may have lived in a mobile home during this part of my life.
Those were just two songs that stick out to me from childhood and two songs that immediately bring back memories. Growing up I remember singing and dancing with my sister. She and her bff Molly would make up dance routines to songs like Motown Philly and Leader of the Pack and Wild Thing and Baby Baby. Those songs remind me of my little sister and playing in our old house on Baker Street. I remember in that house also one Christmas getting the Faith Cassette Tape one year by George Michael. I remember my neighbor bringing over the new Motley Crue tape and listening to it all night. I remember all these Elementary school songs and Junior High songs. Then I remember going to High School. My life took two very different musical directions at the same time.
One of the paths that my life took during this time was the path of show choir. I loved our show choir. Made great life long friends and learned about music. At this point I realized that I could sing. I could sing very well. We sang very little contemporary songs. Most were classics and some strange stuff. We sang Aura Lee, Danny Boy, Pie Jesu, and TV Theme Song Medleys. At the same time my personal music life changed too. I was driving and every 16 year old boy needs music to drive to. My favorite songs at this point were Everclear's Santa Monica and Local God. I also took to rap at this age. I did go to Macon County. I still enjoy rap. I loved Timbaland & Magoo's Love to Love Ya and OutKast's Elevators.
I know this has been a very rambling blog but I have had a blast writing it. This gets us through High School Sophmore year. 1980-1996. I will update soon with more. Make sure to click the songs and some bands to hear the songs and take the trip down memory lane with me

1 comment:

  1. Nothing like a song book for your crazy and wonderful life, Nigel. I haven't even heard of most of the latter ones, which makes me feel even older than I am.

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