Dear Blogary,

I didn’t intend on writing today. And, I don’t know a great deal about music, so don’t ask me who is currently topping the charts. That said, I love music, and this morning I have the same song playing over and over in my head. The song, “Hammer’s Hum”, was written and sung by Uncle Mark Reynolds. Uncle Mark was a West Virgina native, but he spent many years of his life in Georgia. He had a huge following in Decatur, watching him perform at Trackside Tavern and Eddie’s Attic.

Uncle Mark died in September 2004. Though I met Uncle Mark countless times, I didn’t really know him, personally. Still, he was a fixture in my life for years. while listening to him at Trackside Tavern or getting my hand stamped by him and hearing him perform at Eddie’s Attic.

Blogary, I am amazed at the power of music. Life is literally a soundtrack. As I said earlier, I cannot tell you who is popular in music today, but I can rattle off countless of [now] oldies that still trigger memories galore for me. And, I love when my boys ask me to play John Denver, while riding in the car. John Denver is another lost musician, whose songs will remain in my head and heart forever.

[Please note for no reason other than I want to write it down: my boys like Alan Jackson, Anne Murray, John Denver, Brian Vander Ark, Moby, Evanescence, Mozart, Joplin, Pachebel, Corelli, etc.]

Blogary, this weekend The Verve Pipe is playing at Eddie’s Attic. Brian Vander Ark is the lead singer. Brian came to our house in 2008, and he played a private concert for us. We’ve also enjoyed watching him perform live at Eddie’s Attic several times. The performance on Saturday is promoting The Verve Pipe’s CD for children. I just bought four tickets, and I look forward to hearing the band play live. I know the boys love music, and I want to expose them to live music.

If Uncle Mark were still alive, I’d load the kids up and take them to see him. And, I’d take them to see John Denver, too.

Blogary, I’m not sure what my point is today. As I sit here missing Uncle Mark and the songs he sang, it reminds me of the incredible local talent that exists all around us. There is so much music to be heard. One does not need to know who is Billboard’s Top 25 artists to know great musical talent; instead, one just needs to head to their local music venue.

Hope you’ll go support your local music this weekend. And, I hope you are resting and singing in peace, Uncle Mark.

Love,
Me