For the Love of Music

Loving music came easy to me. I had a young mother who loved to go out, so before she did, she always played the latest hits. But let’s take it back a tad bit farther, to my Papa’s love of music, which is probably where my mother inherited that same adoration herself.

My grandfather had what they called a Hi-Fi turntable, and he possessed a plethora of records. My father also loved music and had a large variety of CDs. I can vividly remember my mother and aunt recording the remake of Lean on Me by Club Nouveau from a record, or maybe it was the radio, onto a cassette tape. They explained with both excitement and deep loss how their dad would have loved the remake because he loved Bill Withers’ original.

I also remember hearing songs like I Want Her by Keith Sweat and Hanging on a String by Loose Ends for the very first time. Songs like Love No Limit by Mary J. Blige remind me of my grandmother & You Know What’s Up by Donnell Jones will always make me think of my husband. And I was obsessed with The Boys. I had a record player as a child, and my mother bought me their album. That was my first piece of music treasure.

Snoop Dogg’s first album played back-to-back. I honestly couldn’t believe some of his lyrics; I was so intrigued, to say the least. 😂 Then I remember going to Mr. Freeze and buying Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt. That era of music was unexplainable. The artists were literally having lyrical exercises… iykyk. 😉

My son is also a music lover, as he recently asked me to create a playlist of songs I used to listen to when he and his sister were younger. I remember hearing him listening to Do For Love by Bobby Caldwell. It was so funny- my husband and I looked at each other, confused…like, is he listening to what we think he is listening to? 🤣

My First Solo Concert

Fast forward to my first solo concert.

I bought two tickets to see Elmiene on April 8th. The moment I heard his voice through the speakers, I knew I wanted to see him perform in person. At the time, I didn’t know anyone who listened to him, but I figured I had time to ask someone to accompany me.

Well… I didn’t.

At first, I was hesitant about attending alone. But I kept reflecting on missing out on seeing Leon Thomas because I didn’t have anyone to go with. I didn’t want to let that happen again.

The concert started at 7:00, and I didn’t even start getting ready until 6:45. 😂

I am so grateful I attended that show.

Elmiene has such a soulful voice; it’s truly one of a kind, and his band was exceptional. I love a good live band!

If you ever decide to attend a concert alone, I’d suggest paying for parking in advance- if it’s available- and parking as close to the venue as possible, preferably in a well-lit area. Arrive early to avoid traffic and long lines. Dress comfortably, don’t carry unnecessary items, and have your keys in your hands while walking back to your car.

I highly recommend solo concerts, especially if an artist you love is coming to your city. Honestly, I would even travel solo. The crowd is all there for the same reason: the love of music. There’s something special about singing along and vibing with people who share the same appreciation for an artist. The energy is transferable, and you’re creating memories that belong entirely to you.

My mother loved going to a nightclub called Gwendolyn’s to see the one-man band perform, and I guess I’m taking after her by seeking out live music myself.

Maybe that’s what I inherited all along, not just a love for music, but a love for the way it makes people feel.

Music has always been woven into my life. It connected generations before me, filled my childhood with memories, and now it’s giving me the courage to create new ones on my own. It’s fascinating how creators can put words and melodies together in a way that reaches complete strangers.

Music is an emotional experience. It can make you happy, sad, nostalgic, energized, reflective, or soothe your soul when you can’t quite find the words yourself.

Looking back, I don’t think this story was ever just about my first solo concert. It was about realizing that music has been part of my story all along. From my Papa’s Hi-Fi turntable, to my parents’ love of music, to my own record player as a little girl, and now to buying tickets and experiencing live performances on my own.

I guess I’m simply continuing the tradition.

And for that, I’m grateful.

For the love of music. Always. 🎶

P.S. Kris Kross was my first concert.