Sugarwilla & Spice

“My life is a stereo, turn me on and let’s go…..”

Some of my first memories involve music. I used to sit on the living room at my Grandparents house and bounce up and down to the “Old Dutch” potato chip commercial. I was in diapers…must have been 18 months old. My Grandparents took care of me every summer from the age of 1-12. Their home was filled with music. Grandma played the piano, my Grandpa the accordion (he wrote a song just for me ) I’ve never been especially religious, but lived for Sundays so I could go to church with them and sing. There are pictures of me, as a wee one, sitting at my Gran’s piano plunking away…and even one of me in my parent’s living room with those enormous headphones and a big head of curls as I played with the knobs on the stereo.

“What songs do I know?…..”

We had a TV, but given the choice, my mom and I would have the stereo on. Nothing like the sound of the needle dropping on the vinyl and the indescribable sound the needle made as it found its groove. My mom would yell from her tub “Can you play that song again?” And I would….over and over. Her faves at the time were Bob Segers‘ “Against the Wind” and Helen Reddy’s ” I am Woman”, among many others. She introduced me to Joni Mitchell, ABBA, Carly Simon, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin. I love her for being so diverse. I remember going to the library and checking out all of the Floyd and Zepplin albums and locking myself in my room for hours. In junior high I got hooked on Metallica. I also mixed it up with Anthrax, Chicago, 2 Live Crew, Run DMC, Beasties, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Madonna…etc. Quite a mix. My mom came in one day and asked if I would put Metallica on. And she wasn’t kidding. She encouraged me to like all types of music. And I did.

“My life is a stereo, out phased but you know….”

My Dad helped with my love of music too. One day in particular always comes back to mind. Dad was taking me somewhere in our powder blue Datsun 510 (it was the 70′s) and in his 8-track was Queen’s “We are the Champions”. We had a blast singing it. We also had some “purple people eater” cassette, that I haven’t been able to shake either. That was another great one that made car trips so much fun. If you get in my dad’s car today, you will likely hear “Memory” from “Cats”, over and over, whether you like it or not. He loves how such a tiny little person can project such a powerful sound.

“My life is a stereo, how loud does it go?….”

My little brother must have been 3 or 4 when my Dad gave him a record player for some occasion. He loved Dire Straits “Walk of Life” and would play and then drag the needle over again to replay the song. This would go on for hours and hours. Several years ago, I made mixed CD’s for family members at Christmas. My mom got a mix of all of the music she introduced me to, Dad got a CD with many different versions of Memory and “Neil Diamond-esque” music. My brother got a CD with “Walk of Life” as every song. I think it fit 18 times. It was a hit. He told me once, that when he needed a pick me up and a laugh he would fish it out of his glove box and play it.

“Turn me up louder, I’ll scream as loud and clear as I can scream
And if you like what you’re hearing, please hang on to me…..”

I have a pretty good singing voice. It was a musical gift from my Grandma. I took voice lessons for years and did recitals and shows, but I am best at singing in my car. I harmonize with the Dixie Chicks, Dave Matthews, John Mayer; you name it. I secretly desire to sing in a band…the ones that are in small restaurants on a Friday night, or sing the national anthem at a hockey game, but I lack the stage presence and confidence. My voice is a lot quieter and shaky when I have an audience.

“My life is a Stereo…..”

My life has a soundtrack.

I look forward to sharing it with you.

“Life ends in a Stereo, pack me up and let’s go
Put me anywhere, please don’t think of leaving me behind
Whatever happens to you, I’ll get on just fine….”

Lyric segments taken from Canadian Band “The Watchmen”….”Stereo”