Talking Music with a 3 Month Old

      Hola!  As some of you may know, I have recently become the proud hillbilly daddy of a beautiful little girl, Miss Samantha Rose Ballengee!!  Becoming a parent opens your eyes to a lot of things!!  Often times I find myself thinking, "how would I tell her this?"  or "how would I explain that!" lol.  I then (as always) turn to thinking about music, and thought, how would I tell her about music, and how would I express my feelings and love for music....so I put it down...off the top of my head of course so don't judge me...the top 5 things I'd tell Samantha Rose about Music...so here we go!      

      1.       There is no right or wrong.  In the world of music, people will argue and sometimes even fight over their opinion.  I've heard it said so many times, that there is no “sharp…or flat” (which can be compared to right or wrong)….really…it’s just a note(s) put together that doesn't sound that appeasing to the ear.  No one ever said, “This is the right note to hit…” it was just hit and someone said, “Oh…that don’t sound right…” whereas someone else could say, “Hell yeah man that’s awesome!”  As Dave Grohl said in his recent SXSW Keynote Speech, “Could you imagine Bob Dylan singing in front of the judges on ‘The Voice’ ??” So with that being said, I would tell Samantha, “If you like it then like it!!  If you like it chances are there’s someone else out there that likes it.  You have to get out there and explore and experience it for yourself that's the most fun of it!!”

      

      2.   Think for yourself.  Just because they are playing it on the radio, doesn't mean it’s the only thing out there.  And to further that note… “Thank God for Satellite Radio!!”  I can remember being younger and someone telling me , “you need to broaden your horizon’s musically!!”  I thought, “What…I play Metallica and Megadeth!!  What else is there??”  LOL.  Since then I have expanded quite colorfully.  Just look at my Pandora Stations(a quick overview):  The Allman Brothers, Twisted Sister, Van Halen, Black Label Society, Steve Ray Vaughn, Motorhead, Ludovico Einaudi, Trent Reznor, Cinderella, Claude Debussy…so I would say to Samantha, "There’s more than one flavor out there in life...so musically try them all…”

      3.       Give it a listen…and I mean that literally.  Give it a Listen.  So many times I've heard something the first time and thought, “Meh…” but then I continue to jam it and the next thing you know…I’m hooked!!   So I would definitely say, “Give it a listen, give it a chance to grow on you.”

      4.       Get to know the artist/band.  This can be a 2 way street.  I know some artists that I really like their music but I can’t stand their personality…and/or vice versa.  But…I think it’s knowledgeable to be able to make that distinction.  I mean how about this scenario:  “Hey Mom check out my new EyeHateGod tattoo…”  “Nice Matthew, that’ll look great as your singing in the choir on Sunday…”  Again…I’m not personally telling you what to like or dislike, but as I would tell Samantha   “…get out there and get the knowledge….THINK FOR YOUSELF!...Decide for yourself.”

      5.       Music is Time Travel.  This one…I mean…when I wrapped my mind around this I thought I had found the Golden Ticket.  How many times have you been sitting somewhere, doing anything, hear a song and for a split second…just for a moment, you’re transported back to a previous time…and you remember everything.  And I mean EVERYTHING!!  I love when that happens.  A song I heard in high school, or an Album we played over and over in the weight room during our football off season.  Or how about a cover song SSP learned way back…that comes on and I automatically remember me and Keith trying to figure it out!!  So I would tell Samantha:  “Music is Time Travel…remember that…the music you are listening to will shape, define, and help tell your story for the rest of your life…so choose it wisely!!”

Finally, and this really doesn’t get a number because I think it’s an “all encompassing” blanket statement.  Music will never leave you.  Music loves you…and will love you forever.  Music will never hurt you and will never mistreat you.  Just as Nikki Sixx said in an interview a little while back (after the resurgence of Motley Crue)…he was asked, “What’s it like to have Rock N Roll coming back in popularity..??..”  and he responded… “Rock N Roll never left…you did…the people did…they turned to other styles…etc…Rock N Roll has always been here…”  So I would tell Samantha, “Just like your Daddy…music will never leave you, music will love you forever, music will be with you always…forever and ever and ever!”

Then I would say, “Now crank up that Lynyrd Skynyrd and watch me play some AIR GUITAR!!”

Don’t forget NEXT Friday is my 4^th Annual Birthday Show at Red Eyed Fly!!  Hitting the big 32!!! Ow Yeah!!  I hope you can make it!!  

You can get info on the show HERE  

RSVP To the Event on FB HERE

Yee HAW! 

Peace Love and Chicken Grease!

dMb