Who influenced you to choose the music profession?

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 6 Nov 2000 5:31 am

I am sure we all have had many influences,Growing up in a household (Sacramento Calif)that played only Classical,Opera,and shows like the Howard Barlows Firestone Orchestra...I probably would never have got into Country Music if it wasn't for the Sunday Night show's broadcasted from Hawaii...Hawaii Calls...Then my station surfing when I was home alone on the old Philco stumbled onto a song called "Green Light" by Hank Thompson...Later it would be meeting Billy Jack Wills,and later Steeler"Okie"Paul Westmoreland (who penned the great hit Detour and was a part owner of the Bell Avenue Coral. "to whom I am forever grateful". Opps: I almost forgot Jack Vaughn who would let me up on his bandstand when I was learning and timing was well,he wasn't afraid to tell me what I needed to do to continue to get back up on the bandstand, And I learned fast.

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CJC

[This message was edited by Joe Casey on 06 November 2000 at 05:40 AM.][This message was edited by Joe Casey on 13 November 2000 at 08:49 PM.]

P Gleespen · Post by **P Gleespen** » 6 Nov 2000 8:12 am

My Parents.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 6 Nov 2000 8:45 am

A neighbor-kid,who was playing an "electric-Hawaiian guitar",which is what they were called,at the time.
I'll say this much Joe. YOU have influenced me,very much,into getting OUT of the music business. At this point,so far,you've been successful.

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Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 6 Nov 2000 8:58 am

I don't know, but if I ever find out, I'm gonna wring his neck!

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www.jimcohen.com

Kenny Forbess · Post by **Kenny Forbess** » 6 Nov 2000 9:25 am

My brother-in-law gave me a Tenor Banjer when I was ten years old.

But, he's not around anymore.

Bob Carlson · Post by **Bob Carlson** » 6 Nov 2000 3:46 pm

Little Roy and Shot.

Bob Carlson

Uff Da!

Tommy Mark · Post by **Tommy Mark** » 6 Nov 2000 4:18 pm

I had twin uncles who played out in this area.One played flattop the other played Dobro. They covered all of the old Louvin Bros. tunes with real tight harmony.I remember when they started teaching me the ropes how my dad would cringe at the thought of me being in the busness.Now its my turn as my son is following in my footsteps(some of them).

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 6 Nov 2000 4:36 pm

I got absolutely no encouragement from my parents to choose music as a business, matter of fact, they spent the rest of their lives trying to shame me out of it. Being the obstinate S.O.B. that I am, that drove me further into it and away from them. I don't remember any one person trying to talk me into music but I guess I can thank Raffi for giving me my first "home away from home" living with him in Toronto in 1970.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 6 Nov 2000 5:05 pm

My Dad (who just played a little), my Uncle (who played a lot around Wash. D.C.), "pro" players like Stu Basore, Reece Anderson, Jim Webb, Jim Murphy, Ray Scearce, and a host of others, including one unknown steeler who worked in Bob Sandy's band (the first steel I ever heard...about 1953.)

Oh yeah, and a real "old timer" named Slim Idaho, who was way ahead of his time!

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 6 Nov 2000 5:35 pm

From about the age of 14 I guess I kinda knew that I would be a working musician someday. When still a small boy I used to rig up a longwire antenna upstairs in our old farmhouse so that I could pull in those clear-channel AM country stations late at night. I listened to the Opry every Saturday night, and the Friday Night Frolic, and Ernest Tubb, and Wheeling when it was on, and the Bill Mack show, you name it.

Although my dad could play the guitar and piano by ear and my mother could play piano by note, my parents definitely did everything in their power to discourage me from playing outside of the home or anywhere other than a "church" setting. They were sure I was hellbound but I couldn't help it, music was in my blood and I had to work with the good players who could play by ear and make up licks in any key, on the spot, and not be a slave to their sheet music. There were a number of pretty good country pickers in the rural area where I grew up, so I hung around and soaked up all their stuff and when I turned 18 I put that music to work for me.

I'm 46 years old now and my dad is 83. In the past couple of years now he seems to have begun to understand and appreciate what I've accomplished musically over the years. Now I have a 17 year-old son who plays the drums (hard rock/heavy metal style), a 16 year-old daughter who sings in the school choir, and a 13 year-old daughter who plays clarinet and trumpet in junior high band. These are good kids, they are active in the church and stay out of trouble. If they choose to be working musicians when they grow up, I won't stop them. I'll help them if I can. Maybe they will someday say, "my dad influenced me to choose the music profession". If so, I'll be proud.

Tim R.

Joel Glassman · Post by **Joel Glassman** » 13 Nov 2000 1:08 pm

My mom's collection of folk music in the 1950s which included all sorts of stuff. Also a cousin's violin given to me at age 11 after hearing a violin player at a school concert (which just blew me away) Starting to hear some of the folk country and blues music again in the mid 60s by groups like the Byrds Burritos and John Mayall--and following that music back to its roots.