I was born in 1953 when music was woven into everyday life but was often experienced differently than today. Before the Beatles’ explosion on The Ed Sullivan Show and rock and roll swept over the world, my musical influences were shaped by family traditions, church hymns, and the sounds that drifted from my grandmother’s favorite TV show. Each of these played a role in shaping my understanding of music, but it wasn’t until a few years later, in a darkened movie theater, that I felt the soul-stirring power of music for the first time.
Early Years: Hymns and Holiday Carols
Some of my earliest memories of music are wrapped up in church hymns. Singing with the congregation was more than just a weekly ritual; it was a shared experience, a place where voices came together to fill the air with hope, reverence, and tradition. Those hymns carried messages I could feel, even if I didn’t fully understand them. They introduced me to the idea that music could create a sense of belonging and connection to something larger than myself.
Alongside the hymns, holiday carols held a special place in my childhood. Every Christmas, I would join in singing songs like Silent Night and O Holy Night, and there was a warmth and nostalgia that came with these carols. They marked the passing of seasons, and each year, they returned with a familiar comfort. I remember my family gathering around, singing together, and feeling a closeness that only music seemed to bring.
The Lawrence Welk Show: Music in My Living Room
Music also entered my life through my grandmother’s love for The Lawrence Welk Show. Every week, we would gather around the television as Mr. Welk led his orchestra, presenting a range of popular tunes, big band numbers, and classic American standards. The music was elegant, soothing, and, in many ways, a reflection of my grandmother’s world. Watching it became a ritual, and while I may not have fully understood the appeal at the time, it taught me that music could be a source of joy and relaxation.
The performances on The Lawrence Welk Show weren’t just about the songs—they were about the experience. My grandmother and I would sit side by side, listening as the orchestra played, and in that shared space, I came to see music as something that could bring people together. It was my first taste of how music could evoke a certain lifestyle filled with nostalgia and gentle simplicity.
The Beatles and the Noise of Change
By 1964, the music world was shifting in ways I didn’t yet understand. When the Beatles made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, I was 10 years old. The sound, the energy, and especially the screaming fans were unlike anything I’d ever seen. I remember watching the screen, unsure what to make of it all. There was so much noise and excitement, and it was difficult to focus on the music.
The Beatles, with their energy and charisma, introduced a new kind of music that would soon transform the world. But for me, music still felt gentle, reverent, and contained within the spaces of church pews and my grandmother’s living room. It wasn’t yet something that could truly move me, at least not in the way I would soon experience.
The Awakening: The Sound of Music (1965)
In 1965, everything changed. I went to see The Sound of Music, and from the very first notes of Julie Andrews singing, “The hills are alive with the sound of music,” I was captivated. Something about how she stood on that hill, the mountains stretching behind her, her voice echoing through the landscape, felt transcendent. At that moment, I felt as though music could reach into the core of my being, touching emotions I hadn’t known were there.
This differed from church hymns or holiday carols—it was deeply personal. The music wasn’t just beautiful; it felt like a language that could speak to parts of myself I didn’t yet understand. Watching The Sound of Music opened my eyes to the idea that music could move me in ways that went beyond words. It was as if Julie Andrews’ voice awakened something within me, a new awareness of how powerful music could be.
Reflecting on the Beginnings of My Musical Journey
Looking back, I realize that these experiences laid the groundwork for my love of music. The church hymns and carols gave me a sense of music as something sacred, while The Lawrence Welk Show offered me music as comfort and companionship. The Beatles may have signaled a new direction in music, but The Sound of Music truly showed me how music could touch my soul.
In revisiting these memories, I hope to reconnect with the parts of myself shaped by these songs and moments. Each post in The Music of My Life series will explore how music has helped me discover, and now rediscover my authentic self.