Soundtrack of Life

I've been spending a lot of time in my car over the last few months. Okay, let's be honest, the last 2 years. If I'm not running around town for errands, I'm more than likely on the road to the University Center or up until recent months, headed to a graduate class or workshop, or out with Cheney. I pretty much am not home 4 out of the 5 weekday evenings. With that being said, I spend a lot of time listening to the radio. It's my companion in the car, and if I am feeling like an adult (which happens very rarely), I may even talk out loud when listening to talk radio or a broadcast of the recent politico in which we live(which happens even rarer).But realistically, I am probably singing at the top of my lungs to Britney Spears' "Womanizer" (you may even hear it if my phone accidentally calls you). When you move around, the radio often becomes a friend because it is constant and you don't have to worry about first impressions or meeting someone new and striving to build a lasting friendship. The radio is there the moment you turn the key - hopefully, unless there are alternator issues. Anyhoo, while living in Juneau, there wasn't much choice for good radio. Seattle was well equipped to handle diverese tastes. Afterall, it was the birthplace of Jimmy Hendrix, Kirk Cobain, and Pearl Jam. Moving to Baton Rouge, I was introduced to my favorite morning show - the Kid Kraddick morning show on 102.5. It was actually housed out of Dallas, but I often found my self laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. What a way to start the day. Now, here in Greenville, I find the music community is lacking a great radio station for those of us who do not subscribe to XM satellite radio. My morning commute is all of 5 minutes, but I've found myself listening to B93.7 with the Hawk and Tom show in the morning. It's the best station that I have found to play a combination of music, but it's started leaning more toward the Hip Hop music when what I'd really like is more Pink!, Fall Out Boy, Plain White Tees, Foo Fighters, and the like.

Music has always been an important part of my life and I can't imagine going a day without hearing it, even if it is in the background. I find myself singing songs that were important during my life when I least expect it. My mom had a huge 8 track stereo that we would listen to from time to time growing up. I only remember 2 songs, but they are great - "Crocodile Rock" by Elton John and "ABC 123" by the Jackson 5. My passage from elementary school to junior high was played out to the tune of "Let's Go All The Way" which was performed by Jason Frizell, Walker Lidell, Dallas Montgomery, and someone else whose name escapes me at the 5th grade talent show. When I took piano, I remember Momma having the sheet music for "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night and I wanted to learn to play that song so bad. 8th grade was to the tune of "Walk Like An Egyptian" - still an all time favorite. Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places" and the rest of that album were a constant during high school as well as Reba McEntire. My senior year - "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix Alot - hate to admit it, but I knew all of the words - still know most of them. Young love was "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison, "Have I Told You Lately" by Rod Stewart, and "Mr. Jones" by Counting Crows. Songs that remind me of times with my husband - getting a ticket in Mississippi as we drove home from Louisiana while "In the Jungle" blared and we were singing at the top of our lungs and "Sweet Escape" causing fits of laughter as we tried to match A-kon's ooo-eee's.

Music ministers to my soul and provides stress relief, hope, comfort, and healing. When we lost the baby in 2006, on the way home from school after I received the phone call from the doctor, one song played that will forever be ingrained in my being. This one song has ministered to me over and over again - 3 years later - "I Will Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns. The timing was impeccable in the car alone not wanting to speak with anyone and it continues to be when the pain is still there.