Music

I drove home to Panhandle today for Christmas vacation. I love traveling, especially when it means I get to be in the car for an extended period of time. I enjoy riding with others, but I really enjoy driving by myself in my own car. I let my mind wander a lot and I am usually pretty surprised at where it takes me. This trip was no different.

Just like every trip, I usually end up holding a concert in my car to a variety of cds that I have not listened to in a long time. One of the first I busted out from my ridiculously large repertoire of music was an old Clint Black cd. One of the first songs I listened to was State of Mind. "Ain't if funny how a melody, can bring back a memory. Take you to another place and time, completely change your state of mind." I have listened to that song a million times, but for some reason it struck a chord with me tonight. I thought a lot about this the rest of the trip as I listened to many other cds that had not been in my player in a while.

• Blues Traveler reminds me of junior high and how I used to be an active member of the Columbia House cd and record club. That was one of the first 12 cds I got with Columbia House. I think I also got Yanni: Live at the Acropolis. You win some, you lose some.
• Journey reminded me of a couple of things. Don't Stop Believin' always reminds me of good times with my Barnes & Noble family. The rest of the cd, however, reminds me of my dad. Needless to say, I skipped around on this cd and replaced it quickly. Sorry Steve Perry, but you had to go!
• Clint Black harkens the better days of country music. I love country music, but some things have changed over the past twenty years. Clint Black and others from his hay day are no longer the chart toppers they were. George Strait is still hanging in there, but I do not like his new stuff. I know every word to every song on Black's Killin' Time album and listen to it repeatedly.
• Bob Schneider! Lonelyland is such an amazing cd! I always think of the great times I had with my college friends and the fun we had seeing Bob in concert. The first time I saw him was at the Willie Nelson Picnic. It was an all day affair and hot as all get out. The weather began to turn around as he came out onto the stage. He played "Blue Skies for Everyone" while clouds rolled in and the wind started to blow. It began to rain and cool off and it totally re-energized the crowd. I have seen him several times, but this is the one that will always stick with me.
• Jack Johnson. I listen to Jack Johnson a lot, but have not heard anything from him in about six months. I used to go to the beach in Corpus Christi with a cooler, a six pack and a book. I would prop open the back of my car, crank up the tunes, pop a top and kick back in a lawn chair. Good times.
• The Judds. I know what you're thinking. The Judds? Seriously? Yes, seriously! "Grandpa, Tell Me Bout the Good 'Ol Days," makes me think about my Granddad and what a great guy he was. Pappy lived with us for about a year when we were kids in Denton. I used to go to the fishing barge with him every Saturday morning at 5:00 a.m. to fish for catfish with his own concoction of stink bait. That stuff would singe your nose hairs, but it attracted a lot of catfish! I have been fishing a few times since he passed away, but I have never really enjoyed it. I really miss him.
• I also listened to lots and lots of Christmas music. Harry Connick Jr., Kristin Chenoweth, Straight No Chaser, Burl Ives, and many, many more. I love Christmas music. I have fond memories of Christmases past. Some were great and some were not, but I appreciate the memories all the same.

I'm looking forward to the drive home now.......