Musical Muse

Mom, Great Uncle Chester and Dad

Music has always been one of my joys -- perhaps it was from growing up in a musical family; Dad played the concertina and Mom had this heavenly voice with a perfect pitch and range. Dad always hoped that we would be one of these traveling families like the Osmonds but us kids just weren't as much into polka music as he and mom were. Even so, they instilled in us a love of great music. My musical interests varied over the years from the K-Tel hits of the 60's and 70's (remember those 45 rpm's?) and to hard rock during my rebellious years and country in my 'trying to figure it out years' to folk and world music now. I still like rockin' to Neil Young when in my funk moods but my radio is mainly tuned to the XM-folk station nowadays.

When I went through my clinical depression, music rescued me from the darkness and dispair. One song that got alot of airplay at that time was 'The Only Way' by Ellis Paul. It goes something like this:

I'm gonna love

I'm gonna believe

I'm gonna dream

I'm gonna roll up my sleeves

And give everything until I've nothing left to give

That's the only way that I know how to live

Whenever I heard that song I felt just a little bit stronger until finally the meds kicked in and the depression started to release me. Years later Ellis was performing in Madison and I convinced Gregg to take me. Realize that Gregg is no folk-fan and had NEVER been to a live musical performance before that day. Those that know my wonderful hubby know how difficult it is for him to step out of his comfort zone but he knew how important this was for me and acquiesed. He watched for a time when I could meet Ellis to tell him my story. Ellis looked at me with a tear in his eye (perhaps because he saw mine) and told me how pleased he was that his message helped me. Even if you're not a dyed-in-the-wool folk fan, try on some of Ellis' music! He writes from the heart and is just as much an accomplished musician and singer as composer. Oh, and he's also a huge Woody Guthrie fan but that's another blog.

Click on this link for an intro to his latest album (which I helped to sponsor): The Day After Everything Changed and let me know how you liked it.