The Rhythm Is Gonna Getcha
No disrespect to my mother, but growing up, we didn’t have much music in the house. Unless you count German oom-pah music, of course. It just was never something that was all that important to her. Still isn’t.
For whatever reason, it was important to me. My first job was working in a record store (granted, a record store in the mall not the cool indie shop like where my husband worked) and I quickly learned to appreciate all kinds of music styles (well, except maybe old school country). I saw my first concert at 15 and steadily pumped all my hard-earned record store earnings into live shows all around Maryland and that love (and expense) continued through my college years in Florida.
When we moved to Colorado, we discovered the granddaddy of all places to see a show (insert angelic choir sounds): R-E-D R-O-C-K-S. This is what U2 what talking about, baby. We have seen so many shows at Red Rocks, and other venues around the state, that when people ask for a concert count, I don’t have near enough body parts to count them on anymore.
When my son Declan came along, we decided a few things early. First, NO KIDDIE MUSIC IN THE CAR. Yes, I appreciate the music and grammar basics these songs will teach him, but my car is my sanctuary, OK? A girl needs her sanctuary. The last thing I want is to be stuck driving around in July with some Kiddie Winter Wonderland CD stuck in the radio because Declan insists on hearing Jingle Bells over and over. I’m sorry, kid. I love you but not that much.
The second rule: HE WILL BE EXPOSED TO ALL KINDS OF MUSIC. That means Bill Withers, The Descendants, Shawn Colvin, Crowded House, Kelly Clarkson, Sade, The Clash, Wham!, King Crimson, The Roots and maybe even some of that dreaded old school country if I could actually scrounge some up. Currently, his two favorite groups are The Wiggles and The Beatles.
And our third and final rule? HIS FIRST CONCERT WILL BE AT RED ROCKS. Family and friends are shaking their collective heads at this, because technically Declan has sort of been to two concerts before. Sorry, The Wiggles are Child Event. And the evening we spent where multiple bands played and the proceeds went to benefit his school? That’s a Fundraiser. No, no, no. His first show will be something cool at Red Rocks. Something he can be proud to say to his friends when the topic invariably comes up at company picnics and parties later in life. We just need to get him old enough to go with us.
I am counting the minutes.
The car IS sacred for music. And so is Red Rocks. I could not agree more!
My dad believes we choose our parents before we’re even born. If he’s right, then Declan has got to be one of the smartest kids ever incarnated.
Ah, you are speaking my language. Funny you should mention this, because just last month, I was scouring the Red Rocks schedule and looking up the rules on taking babies to concerts. Kids under 2 are free! Woohoo!
I think I need to invest in baby earplugs…
- Sarah
http://www.imaginarybinky.com
This is a kiddie music must-have if you don’t normally like kiddie music. It my car compromise! http://www.amazon.com/Flow-Mother-Goose-Jazz-Band/dp/B000003A30
My daughter’s in the Hannah Montana/HS Musical stage, and I am so glad that I insisted that we listen to Mommy’s music in the car now. Can you imagine the torture I’d have to deal with now if I hadn’t made that rule when they were younger?lol
My husband is a music snob. You know, the kind of guy who sneers at everyone and is constantly surfing on I-Tunes for something “new.” He IS the character Rob from the book/movie “High Fidelity.” It’s not particularly attractive, frankly.
In fact, the man almost dumped me the first time he came over to my apartment (in the 90′s) and discovered all of my Hair Band cd’s. Hey, I’m sorry–Jon Bon Jovi can eat crackers in my bed ANY time. I am not ashamed, So shoot me.
A few weeks ago, KBCO radio sponsored a select-a-set weekend, and listeners were encouraged to send in 4 songs to make (duh) a set that was compelling.
I told him to ask our daughter, Miss D., who is six, to compile the list for us. She has VERY strong musical opinions, just like her dad. He was both wicked proud and totally dismayed with her choices.
Miss D’s Select a Set List:
1. Seven Nation Army-the White Stripes
2.Georgia-Hanson
3. Criminal-Fiona Apple
4. Banana Pancakes-Jack Johnson
5. Brown Sugar-The Rolling Stones
Needless to say, we didn’t submit that list. But hey, at least my daughter isn’t one dimensional, and my husband was very glad that not one Bon Jovi or Guns-N-Roses song made the list.
[...] how I said that my son Declan’s first major concert would be at Red Rocks, no matter what? Um. I think you all are gonna cry foul on this one. Because we are taking him to [...]