Music and Family

For this blog I chose to interview my mom, Cherissa Wilkins, she is 56 and is a kindergarten teacher in Hendersonville NC. 

What sort of music-culture did you grow up in?

I grew up in whatever was popular on the radio, a lot Herb Albert and the Tiawana Brass as I got older I listened to a lot of different music, Motown, beach music, reggae  

Where did you grow up?

Hendersonville, NC 

What kind of music did you grow up with? What did it mean to you and the people around you? Did music have any particular function? When and where did you listen to it?

We listened a lot in the house and in the car. We had a stereo in the house. 

Was the kind of music you listened to growing up popular at the time, either in general or within your friend group?

Yes, both. As a teen I listened to the B-52’s, disco, beach music, Motown, R&B and some rock but that was not my favorite. 

Were you involved in any music groups at school or church or anywhere else? Your garage?

Yes, I was. I was in the chorus in high school and in college I was in choral ( the traveling chorus). 

How did you listen to music? What kind of technology did you have? 

I had cassette players until CD’s came out, and I had 45’s and albums when I was a kid. 

Did you go to concerts? What were they like? What was the first concert you went to?

Yes I did, they were usually big arena concerts. The first concert I ever went to was Elvis, I was 9 years old. The best concert I ever went to was Pink Floyd, that was in the late 90’s. Harry Conic Junior was also good, he played every instrument in the band, that was a much smaller arena. 

Have you ever met any famous-y musicians? 

Yes I have! I met Sting from the Police, I met Kevin Russel from the Gourds. 

Has any musician inspired you?

Frank Sinatra, because he was the epitome of cool. He was just right on, he knew when the lady was a tramp and that was okay. He knew how to pull chicks.  

Did you play any instruments or sing growing up? How did you feel about that? Do you still play/sing? Do you regret anything?

I sing loudly in the car alone, I sing with my class everyday. I played the piano for 8 years, and can still play the drums, I play the radio now. 

How did your parents influence what you listened to? 

I started listening to what they listened to, I like a lot of live instruments from my dad and love some soul music from my mom and her love of Berry White. I also have a huge knowledge of hymns from growing up and going to church fundraisers.

Was music a priority in your family? How so?

I don’t think it was a priority, but it was there a lot. Not nearly the priority that it is in our home now 

What is your first memory of music?

Sitting in front of the stereo and watching my parents load albums into the record player. As a child I loved watching the albums drop. Also there were mini jukeboxes at the booths at restaurants, and as a child I loved playing music at dinner. 

What do you think of popular music today? Do you like my music?

I like some of your music, there is a lot of profanity and too much sexual explicitly. It is not something that all ages can enjoy together. 

Are there any special pieces of music in your life? What’s your favorite piece of music or artist?

You are my sunshine, because I sang that to you when you were little. That’s how I used to wake you and your brother up. Also, Burning Down the House by the Talking Heads, I spent forever teaching that song hoping to give him some rhythm. 

If you had to describe your life in one song, what would you choose?

I would say September by Earth Wind and Fire, it is such a happy song that always puts me in such a good mood and makes me wanna dance.