Music and Family

There is only so much I can say about music before you all tune out. SOOOO I decided to interview my mom's good friend. My sister and I call him Uncle D. Even though we aren't technically related, he is still family to us. I chose to interview him because he enjoys talking, and second. After all, I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about him and his upbringing. 

╔══ ❀•°❀°•❀ ══╗  ╔══ ❀•°❀°•❀ ══╗

Here is a little backstory of his childhood.

As a kid, rap, hip-hop, and blues music were the most popular, and were thought of as "day-to-day music" for him. On a rainy day, it would be more of gospel or Jazz music. He mentioned that his mom would play songs by Whitney Houston, especially her song called Nobody Loves Me Like You Do. She would also listen to Commodore Ominous and Tina Turner.

He mentioned that his mom did love to listen to music, but she had no interest in making music or even playing an instrument. His music journey started in school. During his time in school, he felt more encouraged to come out of his shell and try new things because he and his peers shared the same interests. His sister also had a major role in his musical journey. She pushed him to do many things, like learn how to play the piano, enter a talent show, and join the band. As he got older, he then picked up a new hobby of singing. I wanted to throw in a fun question, so I asked if he remembered any jingles from his childhood. He said that he remembers Oscar Wiener commercials. He says that those commercials would make him get up and dance and do the wiggle dance! That leads me to talk about technology. During his childhood, technology was definitely not as advanced as it is now. I asked him what kind of technology he used to listen to music as a kid, a teen, and a college student. He said, "I can remember experiencing vinyl records and cassette tapes. He said he would always use his player before going to bed, and when he wanted to listen to a specific part of the song, he would have to push the rewind button and thoroughly search for it. "It was annoying," he says, and he was so fascinated with that kind of technology at the time, but he knew it was trash. In college, it was popular to use a bag phone, but he never had one. I then asked him what sort of music had a big influence on him growing up? Here is his reply, "probably Gospel, growing up my mom would play gosepel music, sometime I would hate it because it would always be so loud, but the other times I felt like it rejuvenated my spirit."

On to some final thoughts...

I asked him how music has evolved over the course of his life, He replied with, "I don't know, music has been involved in my own perspective more than me exploring the different ways. Music can be used in different cultures. How can you know how you can make music, you know, there's technology that might evolve, but like the basics. Cause their phone file and you know a song can have a message and it can be expression of you. I enjoy being able to connect with that so I think that I don't really stop looking on where you feel like it evolves more like we just kind of explore it. I think more of how it has grown because I love to experience different genres, and cultures."

Lastly, I asked if music wasn't a part of his life, would he try and find something to fill that void? His response was, "Man, I don't think I would have any other way, like music has been so impactful for me. Music speaks a message, and is so eye opening. There is something about music that just speaks to me. It helped pulled me out of the dark. I don't know why music has such a strong attachment to me, but I like how it makes me feel. It's like if someone keeps asking why their favorite color is red. What is so special about it? I don't know what it is. So, I don't know if there would be another avenue for me honestly.  I don't know what I would do, that sounds cliché but like I would die without music."

I have thourougly enjoyed interviewing Mr.Derick. Asking him questions have helped me understand more of why I am also so attached to music. This has left some great thoughts in my head. Here is another song that he wanted to share with you all. I hope you all have enjoyed reading! Bye!