Muzak ‘n Me

Nov 14th 2007
Karen HawkinsGoddess Grins

43 Responses to “Muzak ‘n Me”

1. Buffie on 15 Nov 2007 at 6:30 am #

   I think I am just like you Karen. I can’t sing with a darn. I have never had music lessons. Heck, I can’t even kept the rhythm of a song by clapping. It’s just not in me. I wish it was. I have always wanted to learn the play the piano. Now my husband’s family, they are all musically inclined. My father-in-law plays the piano, the steel guitar, and sings a little. My mother-in-law plays the drums. My hubby used to play the trombone, and his brother can play the sax and the trumpet. I am just praying that my boys get their talent. My oldest (who is only 9) is playing the baratone (baby tuba) in band this year. I haven’t decided yet if he is good

2. Stacy ~ on 15 Nov 2007 at 6:44 am #

   Definitely an audience member. Can’t play to save my life, but part of it might be that I had no patience to practice either. I would have liked to play the saxophone or the guitar.

   Cool band! I wish your daughter and her bandmates the best of luck getting signed.

3. PJ on 15 Nov 2007 at 6:57 am #

   I can play the piano and organ…a little. I would probably be better if I had practiced more while taking all those lessons as a kid but I got tired of being compared to my cousin. He’s two months older, was a child prodigy and I knew I’d never be anywhere near as good. Stupid decision on my part but what can I say? I was a kid. My singing is best done in the shower with nobody else in the house. Even the dogs cringe. lol!

   Two of my younger brothers have beautiful voices. One of them was a member of his high school’s madrigal group that toured, by invitation, all over Europe. The youngest was a member of a boys choir that performed all over the southeast as well as in Washington, DC and at Carnegie Hall in NYC. My other two brothers both play guitar. Obviously, the musical talent in our family was gender selective.

   Karen, your daughter is very talented!

4. freshechelle on 15 Nov 2007 at 7:48 am #

   After 13 years of “studying” piano, you’d think I had some talent but not so much. I have been playing the same 20 songs for the past 15 yrs. No ability to fake it through a pop song. I envy the talent of Karen’s musically gifted prodigy. I wish I could sing as well as I think I can. My car gets to hear me sing at the top of my lungs. My dad had a bar band and my sis and bro and I used to have to get on stage and sing from about 5-11 yrs old. I do a mean version of “A white sport coat and a pink carnation” from those old gigs. Don’t forget to tip your waitress. I’m here all week.

5. Santa on 15 Nov 2007 at 7:53 am #

   I can’t read a note of music. I just follow the bouncing ball and know to hold the note when it’s not colored in. Having said that, I’ve been in choirs or choruses since grade school. I used to be a soprano but my singing voice now matches my speaking voice which is a bit on the husky side. I am now a first alto/second soprano.

   My oldest is learning the violin and they’ll all be starting piano lessons in the near future. I’ve always wanted to learn to play the harmonica. Did you know that harmonicas come in different keys. I attended an open mike night at a local bar and there was a man there with a bandalero full of harmonicas. I thought that was the coolest thing!

6. Cookiedough on 15 Nov 2007 at 8:16 am #

   I love your daughter’s music Karen! I listened to all the songs on the page..very good feel.
   I love all kinds of music. I once drove my best friend crazy on a road trip. As the driver I pick the music. I played the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, Mika, All American Rejects, and Spamalot. five hrs up, 5hrs back. I took pity on her and let her play the best of Bread.
   I’ve been playing the piano by ear since I was very little. I took vocal in high school, and learned to read music, and taught myself how to play Fur Elise when I was 17. I am so proud of myself. I even poke around on the accordian
   My four sisters got the piano lessons, I just listened to them and stole their books when they were otherwise engaged. Numbers for notes worked great for me.
   We all sing. I think fairly well. most of the kids have carried it on too with many a guitar player in the bunch.
   My own twin I gave up for adoption plays and sings. His brother cooks.
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O7gb2WsVrg

7. Darla on 15 Nov 2007 at 8:25 am #

   No musical talent here! I don’t even make a good audience member any more. I have Menieres Diease whose symptoms include, tonal & directionality hearing loss, also high pitch tone sensetivity. So I pretty much stay away from music anymore.

   My son however was in band all through school, he played the base clairnet. In high school he also added being a section leader to the marching band competitions. I never knew there was such a thing. It is so cool to sit high up in a stadium and watch these bands play and march precision patterns. The marching is not just walking there is a certain way they have to walk. It took me a while before I realized how difficult a thing it was to do. There is a yearly competition around Halloween in the Kansas town called Neewollah, which is Halloween spelled backwards. If you ever get a chance to go its great to see.

8. Karen Hawkins on 15 Nov 2007 at 8:30 am #

   Buffie, I think you’re right and musical talent is inherited. I’m glad my daughter takes after her father in that respect. My son hasn’t displayed the patience yet to be good, but I think he could if he wanted. He has ‘the ear.’ I’ll keep my fingers crossed your son enjoys the baritone!

   Stacy, the sax would be incredible! That’s one of my favorite instruments — always classy and sassy.

   PJ, I get you on the ‘comparisons.’ It’s a tough enough row to hoe without that. Perhaps you can take some now, though? I have a cousin who just started piano lessons and is loving them.

   FreshE, I always tip the help. AND the band. I wish I could sing, too. That’s the one thing I’d really love to be able to do. But I’m flatter than a pancake in all of the puffy parts. Can’t do it, but looooove listening to it.

   Santa, the violin? I’ve hard that’s VERY difficult. I had no ideas that harmonicas were different. I bought my daughter one last year and she was so excited about it!

9. Karen Hawkins on 15 Nov 2007 at 8:35 am #

   CookieD, she wrote all of the songs, too. She is just outrageously talented. And you play an accordian? Very cool! I can’t play a thing by ear and I don’t understand the process where people can do that. I just can’t ‘hear’ it. Sounds like your whole family has talent — that’s AWESOME!

   Darla, I LOVE marching bands — especially the ones who do the cool moves. I’m in awe they can do all of that while playing the right song. I can’t even brush my teeth and walk at the same time. I’m going to have to check out that competition. It sounds like a great setting for a book!

10. twolilhahas on 15 Nov 2007 at 8:39 am #

    My dad is a musician. Has been all my life. He plays guitar and sings and produces his own tracks from his little spare room studio. He plays country. http://www.myspace.com/montysavitz

    Me, I got Dad’s love of singing and Mom’s talent for it. lol Which means I love singing but am not terribly good at it. But, since I love it, I sing out loud in my car all the time. And my daughters (7 & 4) are really nice and say from the back, “We love your singing, Mom.” So, that makes me feel great.

    If I could play anything, I would play the violin. I would even be tempted to take lessons now, but there are no teachers available in this area. I can read the right hand for piano, but have trouble with the left. So, while I can plunk out a simple kids tune by note on a piano, that’s about it.

11. Cookiedough on 15 Nov 2007 at 9:06 am #

    Karen, my friend started calling our family the Von Trites family singers when she heard about my brother’s 50th birthday party sing along. My sister took the tune of deck the halls and wrote a ditty about growing up with him, passed out sheets of paper and we all sang it.

12. Lisa H on 15 Nov 2007 at 9:25 am #

    Hi Karen - Your daughter’s band is very cool, if I must say so myself. And your daughter is beautiful.

    I have no musical talent, although I always wished I could play the piano. My daughter plays beautifully and also plays the guitar. My son took lessons too, but quit. It’s a shame because he had so much talent.

    I always wished I could be a lead singer in a rock band, ala Gloria Estephan. (I love her!)

    I cannot carry a tune in a bucket or play anything, but I enjoy listening very much. Everything from The 3 Tenors to “I’m so much cooler on line” (Love that song!)

13. doglady on 15 Nov 2007 at 9:44 am #

    Gorgeous daughter, Karen, and extremely talented. I love their sound. You all know I can sing. I wanted to be an opera singer from the time I was nine years old. My Nana played Maria Calls records in my nursery so my mother said it was Nana’s fault. I also play the piano, the clarinet and the bassoon. I have two brothers - one of whom can play any stringed instrument by ear and has a great singing voice. The other brother? We used to fight over who stood next to him in church because the boy cannot carry a tune! Very few people are actually tone-deaf, many people are just untrained. Singing is not necessarily as easy as it looks.

14. Julia London on 15 Nov 2007 at 10:02 am #

    I was forced to take ten years of piano lessons and two years of violin, which I finally whined my way out of. The moment I could quit lessons, I did. I prefer to listen to music, not make it. But I will admit that all those years gave me an appreciation of classical music. I still listen to a lot of it. and I know enough to know when something is played really well, so I can sit back and listen in awe.

    My mother once told me she was going to leave me her baby grand piano I begged for the diamond necklace instead. It made her so mad she said she’d just leave me the china and see how I liked that. She knows me well :-).

    I think music is sort of like writing. You have that innate ability and desire to make it, or you don’t.

    Karen, I think your daughter sounds amazing. She sounds like that chick on the ipod ads.

15. Cookiedough on 15 Nov 2007 at 10:13 am #

    doglady, I remember my high school semester of breathing lessons from vocal. I loved that semester’s afternoon in grade ten. 80 min of vocal, followed by 80 min of drama.
    I got to play all afternoon at school. It was a pretty progessive school for the early 80’s- plus being in the smallest province’s countryside. in gym, we had archery and a golf range, racketball and squash courts.

16. Claudia Dain on 15 Nov 2007 at 10:38 am #

    Karen, you and Kym look so much alike! Both gorgeous, and she shares your artistic ability. How cool is that?

    My mom played the piano and organ. We had both when I was a kid and it was wonderful to hear the music filling the house. My dad could play anything by ear, including the harmonica. He was amazing. My dad knew the words to every song he’d ever heard, while my mom was an enthusiastic and off-key singer who only remembered the odd word here and there; my dad would laugh while he supplied her with the next word.

    One of the many things I am thankful to my parents for is that they did not insist I take piano lessons. My mom dearly wanted me to since she had begged her mother for them as a kid. But I wasn’t interested and they took me at my word.

    Thanks, Mom! I would have been miserable (and I would have made you miserable). LOL

17. Mia Rose on 15 Nov 2007 at 11:01 am #

    Oh Karen, your daughter’s voice is awesome… I’m so jealous! I wish them the best of luck, they’re really great!
    I have no musical talent whatsoever, but I’ve always desperately wished that I did. As far as instruments go, I can play one hand of ‘heart and soul’ on the piano, i played clarinet for a year or so in elementary school… but I just don’t have the patience for things like that long term. I sing constantly though… in the car, in the shower, in my office even though I know I don’t sound good. I just love it. If I know the words, I’m singing along.
    But, unless I magically transform into a great singer… I’m definitely a roadie. We have friend’s that are in a band and we see them everywhere they play… and they were the band at our wedding. http://www.myspace.com/hotsalad They do their own songs too, but they are the BEST at old rock and classic country covers. It’s always a good time when they play, as their pictures show.

18. Julia London on 15 Nov 2007 at 11:02 am #

    HA — Claudia, my mother believed in torturing us, LOL. She even made my brother take lessons. My sisters are accomplished. My brother and I are not. So a 50% return on her investment isn’t too bad, right?

19. Claudia Dain on 15 Nov 2007 at 11:13 am #

    50% return on investment is never a bad thing, Julia, and since you’ve forgiven her for the 10 years of torture in the name of Culture, I’d say your mom came out way ahead.

    Plus, you can read music! You can’t put a price on that, though maybe your mom could. *G*

20. Sabrina Jeffries on 15 Nov 2007 at 11:20 am #

    First of all, Karen, I hate you. You’re talented and your daughter is talented, too? It’s disgusting! Her band is really good–I hope to hear them on the radio soon. Keeping my fingers crossed for their success!

    I come from a musical family. My mom used to teach piano lessons, and I wanted her to teach me, but I think she knew I’d never practice, so she gave me the books and left me to my own devices to see if I’d pursue it. It never came to anything. I took guitar, but never practiced that either. But I nearly became a singer–I was in several choirs and bands. I had to choose between music and writing. I chose writing, because I realized I didn’t have what it took to make a career out of performance, and I would never have been satisfied with anything less than top dog (I’m a WEE bit competitive that way ). I pretty much sing for my own enjoyment now, although I wouldn’t mind being in a choir again. I just don’t have time.

21. Karen Hawkins on 15 Nov 2007 at 11:23 am #

    twolils, your dad sounds like a pro! What a terrific voice! Very Kenny Chesney!

    doglady, no one who has EVER tried to sing our national anthem can say singing is easy. We all have the instrument, but few of us can wield it with any finesse. I, for our, would be the person no one in church wants to stand beside. In fact, I usually lip sync, just to be kind.

    Julia, ah the torture! It’s amazing how many people end up taking the lessons their own parents wanted to take and never did. I love classical, too, btw, and listen to that or jazz when I write. I am a HUGE Vivaldi fan and I also love anything Russian.

    cookied, wow! That WAS a great school! I wish I’d taken drama lessons, though I’ve been assured I’m plenty dramatic without them.

    Claudia, your parents sound like the perfect pair. Sometimes, it takes a great appreciator to compliment a great artistic sort. I like to think that, anyway!

    Mia, I’m off to check out your band! What a great name, too — hot salad. I like that!

22. Sabrina Jeffries on 15 Nov 2007 at 11:24 am #

    One of my brothers is a drummer–he was good enough in high school that he was asked to play with the warm-up band for Queen on tour in Japan. He turned them down to go to college. Idiot! HIS son is multi-talented and was in a band that hit the Billboard Top 50 Christian list, but he dropped out of the band to do his own stuff. He’s really good, but I think he can’t decide whether to pursue music full-time. My sister and mom sing. Dad is tone-deaf (he denies it when you say it, but he is, trust me). My other brother has no musical talent, but is a videographer, so that’s a whole ‘nother area of creativity. Neither of my brothers got the singing gene, though–apparently it was gender-specific in our family, too–only it was just the women. Tee-hee.

23. amy1242 on 15 Nov 2007 at 1:16 pm #

    Claudia was right, Karen, your daughter looks just like you! I started piano lessons in 3rd grade, violin in 5th, clarinet in 7th, guitar and harmonica in 9th and I’ve sung through it all. I am director of the youth group (3rd thru 6th grade) for a musical production our community puts on every year in January and I absolutely love it. No, I’m not extremely talented, but can hold my own. I’ve spent most of my life practicing, but found out at an early age that I have horrible stage fright. That’s why I enjoy directing and teaching. My DH and both kids have loads of talent and perform comfortably in front of large crowds. My cousin was with The Dave Mason band and wrote the song “We Just Dissagree” before he died. I love music as much as reading. You can take away my cell phone but I’d be lost without my ipod! Music and books, ahhhh it’s my personal heaven.

24. Buffie on 15 Nov 2007 at 2:08 pm #

    Sabrina — What was the name of the Christian band?

25. Ronlyn on 15 Nov 2007 at 2:47 pm #

    I love music. I used to play the flute and the piano regularly. I played the flute in the symphony while I was in college before I put it aside to do other things. And I sing. But, I can’t play by ear, I always wanted to. My sister used to play the violin by ear. Now, we both just sing along to the radio.

26. Ladytink_534 on 15 Nov 2007 at 2:56 pm #

    My husband and I would like to be able to ply the piano. I can’t play anything but he’s an awesome guitarist. He could play professionally if he wasn’t so shy. One of his uncles knows 3 Doors Down’s manager and one of the guys (don’t ask me which one, I never pay attention) in the band. The manager has expressed intertest in my hubby but like I said, he’s shy although he won’t admit it!

27. Mia Rose on 15 Nov 2007 at 3:01 pm #

    Karen you’ll have to be sure to check out the picture’s on Hot Salad’s page of all of us roadies. Priceless.
    
    I have to admit, too, that my music tastes are extremely eclectic. All my friend’s make fun of me because I’ll burn mix CD’s that will go from Fall Out Boy to Dean Martin to Hank Jr. to The Doors to Timbaland to Little Feat to Dashboard Confessional to Garth Brooks to Rosemary Clooney to Nora Jones… and I think you get the picture. That is literally the mix I’m listening to right now.
    I love ALL kinds of music. And I love, which goes along with the music subject, dancing. I spent my entire wedding reception either on the dance floor, at the bar or standing over the AC vent on the floor (it was july in CA). I figure if I can’t sing or play an instrument I at least have to liven up the dance floor.

28. SuzyQ on 15 Nov 2007 at 3:06 pm #

    Karen, lots of luck to your daughter and the band. She sounds great.

    I took piano lessons when I was younger, but never kept up with it. Now adays I play Mary Had A Liitle Lamb on my daughter’s light-up keyboard and Deck the Halls during the holidays. Hey, she gets a kick out of it. I also love to sing but in the comfort of my own car with no passengers. I wouldn’t want to torture them.

29. Sherri Erwin on 15 Nov 2007 at 3:34 pm #

    Cool band! Karen H, your daughter is gorgeous. But I am sorry, you look way too young to have a daughter that old.

    My daughter is an incredible violinist. My son picks up instruments easily, but he’s just a dabbler. They get it from their former band geek (French Horn) father, also talented on the piano. I stick to my fantasies of being a tambourine girl/backup singer.

30. Santa on 15 Nov 2007 at 4:17 pm #

    Karen, I’ve been playing your daughter’s music to everyone at work today. Love her sound!

    Doglady, I grew up with a love of opera as well. I had an aunt who had a gorgeous contra-alto voice that I really miss hearing!

31. Suzanne Enoch on 15 Nov 2007 at 5:04 pm #

    I play the stereo. *g*

32. Karen Hawkins on 15 Nov 2007 at 5:12 pm #

    Ladytink, that man needs to PLAY! Wow! I hope he tried it one day.

    Mia, my daughter says the band LOVES the people who dance. It keeps the place hopping, and that’s soooo important! So dance on, sistah! Dance on! (Btw, the roadie pics are awesome and that band SMOKES! Terrific sound — I’m sending the link to Kim’s band.)

    SuzyQ, I think Car Singing is a different beast. Even I sing in the car, but I frequently stop and say aloud, “Man, that was HORRIBLE!”

    And Sherri, that’s so sweet of you to say, but alas I fear you’ve fallen for the old “but in her promo photo she looks so YOUNG!” routine. I do indeed look (and feel) old enough to have a daughter that age.

    Santa, thanks! I’ll tell Kym. She wants to hit it big, which is why she’s majoring in marketing and thinking of adding music theory of some sort. I love the bluesy sound of it — lots of fun, and I think the lyrics are so darn clever. Dickie T is my favorite song so far.

    Suzanne, I’m sure you play the stereo with panache.

33. Karen Hawkins on 15 Nov 2007 at 5:17 pm #

    ronlyn, my sister used to play the flute and her teacher told her it was one of the most difficult instruments out there. You and your sis ought to break out the instruments and learn to play a little something to amuse the fam over the holidays.

    Amy, stage fright’s tough. My daughter says that every once in a while, it gets her too. I told her to use the energy for the performance. I don’t think that helped her any, but she always seems relaxed on stage, so I suppose she’s found way to deal with it.

    Sabrina! Tell us about this Christian band? What was the name of it? That’s so COOL you have such a musical family! I am SO going to beg you to sing for us at Nationals. I want to hear!

34. Ellen on 15 Nov 2007 at 5:46 pm #

    I LOVE your daughters sound. I also think the song writing is first class. Very rock/indi/blues. Let us know when she puts out her first CD…I am DYING for new music in my car!

    Because I am passionate about pushing our children to a higher level, tell them to look into adjusting their sound technology. Kym’s voice is what will set them apart from the other bands, but sometimes it gets bullied by the instrumentation. If they find a way to showcase her voice first and instruments second, I AM SURE we will all be seeing you at the Grammys crying with pride.

    And just think…now you know what back lighting does to a black blouse.

35. Ellen on 15 Nov 2007 at 5:50 pm #

    One more thing….Your daughter DEFINATELY has the “IT” factor. She is so beautiful.

36. Sabrina Jeffries on 15 Nov 2007 at 6:06 pm #

    My nephew’s band was called Iconoclast (not the heavy metal group from the 80’s). I think they’ve all split, although you can still find some copies of Burn Your Bridges on Amazon used. Their single, “Walk on In,” debuted Sept. 3, 2005, at No. 38 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs. After just three weeks, the track rose to No. 18. Not sure how long it stayed on there, but they did it all themselves without representation or a label. Their website is defunct, so I’m assuming that they all went their separate ways, which is a shame, because I thought they were pretty good. I guess that’s the way of bands sometimes.

37. Sabrina Jeffries on 15 Nov 2007 at 6:08 pm #

    Karen, your daughter really is gorgeous, not to mention talented. She’s bound to get there one day, and then we can all hang on your coat-tails while you live the high life (Hollywood, here we come!).

38. ladydawgfan on 15 Nov 2007 at 6:26 pm #

    Great band!! I wish them a lot of success!

    As for me, I sing first soprano in my church choir. My little known (before now, that is) secret is that I cannot read music. I learn my pieces by ear, sometimes listening to pre-recorded versions downloaded from the internet, or from listening very carefully to our organist. I can follow when the notes go up and down, but ask me what tone goes with what note on a page and I will give you the blank stare of the dead.

39. cail on 15 Nov 2007 at 6:37 pm #

    chiming in late here- work’s been crazy recently.

    i’m a singer. i read music, i learn it by ear. i studied classical techniques the abandoned that for an irish folk group with college friends. now i spend occasional evenings at a friends house singing showtunes as they play the piano. I can slowly plink out tunes on the piano, and can play some raffi on my guitar. i have a tendency to quit every instrument that i try, so i have what has been called ‘the discarded instrument room.’

    i really wish i had time to play/sing more often.

40. darkshire007 on 15 Nov 2007 at 7:22 pm #

    Plainclothes Tracy is awesome! I am going to give the link to my husband so he can listen to them. I have played the violin for almost (gosh, I can’t believe it’s been this long!) 27 years. I did have a tutor back when I started but now I play the music I like and for my entertainment. The piano is what I really wanted to play but my parents couldn’t afford it (not with six children anyway). Two of my brothers play the guitar, my sister (now that she can afford it) plays the piano, my niece plays the flute/piccalo, my aunt plays the drums and trumpet and everybody else sings. (I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket that’s why I play!)

41. camerondarling on 15 Nov 2007 at 11:35 pm #

    I sing and play the piano. Next August I’ll graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Comprehensive Music with voice as my major instrument. But I’m not going to do a thing with that degree, unfortunately. I’m going to enroll in cosmetology school as soon as I finish classes, but I’m very happy about that.
    However, I will tell you that I was not born with some of my musical ability. When I look back on what I knew about my voice and the piano before I entered college and compare it to what I know now, I knew jack-squat then. Especially about the piano. I never touched the piano until two and a half years ago. But it turns out I’m pretty good. So not everyone is doomed at musical ability just because they didn’t get it as a kid.

42. twolilhahas on 15 Nov 2007 at 11:44 pm #

    Thanks, Karen. Dad’ll be glad someone thinks he’s good. All he gets from us around here is, “Turn it down!” We hear it ALL the time. So, I don’t even always listen to music anymore. I really enjoyed your daughter’s sound. Very cool.

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