As a child growing up, I remember listening to music. It was such a strong influence in my life. I can remember getting my first transistor radio. It came with a small earphone, which I used to hide under my pillow. I would lie in my bed and listen to music , long after all the lights were out all through the house.
I'd work and save, just to be able to buy batteries for that radio. On some nights I would be very lucky because my mom would play her records on the record player until late. I fell asleep listening to Nat King Cole, my favorite, but she played many others also. I learned the music of Frank Sinatra, and Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, and Perry Como, and so many more. What an influence listening to those songs has had on my life. My ideas of what love could be, or should be, grew from those roots. I remember seeing "Cinderella" by Rodgers and Hammerstein on TV in 1964. What an influence that had on a young boy, not just the story, but the music and singing. I've never forgotten. A fairy tale told in living color to a boy, who for what ever reason believed the things he saw and heard, could be true.....

so long ago, one of my favorites, Nat King Cole singing late in the night.

On Tuesday night I went to watch Justin Hayward in concert. It was close and personal, just he and a couple others who backed him up. I found it to be absolutely stunning. A well spent 2 1/2 hours of beautiful music. I wish I could spend much more time immersed in such peaceful pursuit. He wanted it close and personal, and only allowed 1000 tickets to be sold, I was seated about 100 foot away from him, on eye level with no one to block my view and eight seats open to my side.... perfect. I haven't seen him in concert alone before. He was always with the Moodie Blues , which is a beautiful and astounding experience all on its own, but is much more loud, and this time the peaceful gentility of it was wonderful. Western Skies.... I'd love to see it all over again.