| Diedre I grew up in a house filled with music and believe I was predestined (genetically bound) to make music. At an exuberant and experimental age, my brothers and I frequently raided Mom's kitchen cupboards for pots and pans which we would hit with various utensils (also found in Mother's kitchen.) We made quite a racket. Mother sang often it seemed, but I'm not sure if she sang to drown out the banging of pots and pans or simply because she enjoyed singing. In addition to teaching and performing on the accordion, Mom also sang in the church choir. At home she often sang "Oh Holy Night" (during any season) accompanied by our three dogs. We all loved that, as did our friends....I think. Mom's mother played the organ and Great Aunt Mae played a little bit on the piano...I think it was a set-up; Slam, dunk, and score. We were a musical family. Dad played the steel guitar, though he never really played in front of us that I can remember. He did let me learn to play the guitar on his very own "ancient" antique guitar..till I left it ouside in the yard one night up at the cabin. Of course it rained that night. So much for Dad's guitar. To his extreme credit he never said much about that...which is actually worse that getting yelled at. I felt awful. By the time I hit the 4th grade, both of my brothers were playing coronet and I was taking violin lessons and performing in talent contests with guitar and vocals thrown in. About that time Grandma Schmidt obtained a piano from a relative and that instrument also found its way into my bedroom. I grew up listening to Tijuana Brass albums, Big Band and Swing, Mom's accordion, my Suzuki violin records and of course the Beatles. After years in Suzuki with the violin and later a few semesters with the university orchestra, I bought a mandolin, replaced Dad's guitar, received a lap-dulcimer made just for me, and the rest as they say is history. I've played in four bands, but have never enjoyed making music more than I do right now. In addition to performing with Chambray, I'm on the worship team along with our son at Highland Church in Stevens Point....and the beat goes on. Mom still sings. |