Sing a Family Song

I just got a new batch of music the other day and I heard this song for what seemed like the first time:

There’s got to be some folks around with memories just like mine

Who’d give the world to stop the clock and turn back the hands of time

To an evening spent like so many spent with Mom and Dad at home

When Dad would get the old guitar down and sing a family song

Sing a family song, oh, sing a family song

When mom and me sang harmony, little sister she hummed along,

Sing a family song, oh, sing a family song

When Dad would get the old guitar down and sing a family song

Now maybe your first memories of home won’t resemble mine at all

But I know there’s one thing I know we all have in common

And that’s the God given gift to recall

Maybe your dad didn’t play no guitar but I know there was something he did

That doesn’t make your old heart well up and sad when you relive your life as a kid

Sing a family song, oh, sing a family song

When mom and me sang harmony, little sister she hummed along,

Sing a family song, oh, sing a family song

(words & music by Merle Haggard)

It got me to thinking of family reunions that I attended, as a kid, on my mother's side of the family. After they had lunch, everyone would start taking out their instruments: fiddles, accordions, guitars, banjos and start playing. Those who didn't play would sing along. When I was little this would last FOREVER! That's what I grew up with expecting family reunions to be.

Now, in the case of the Knox Family, I don't recall everyone getting together to sing. Like the song says, my memories weren't of my dad playing and singing a song at home. Mom did all that in our house, but most of our singing was in church (though when we would make long drives, she and I would sing along with the AM radio. When we got tired of that, we'd just start singing and take turns harmonizing with each other). I don't know how many of us play any sort of instrument. But, this is my idea for the reunion this year: If there's some song that is near and dear to your heart from your childhood, let me know. I want to get a collection of songs together in a Power Point slide show so we can sing them together at the reunion.

This is where it will get interesting - if you play an instrument that can be carried into the Malakoff Senior Citizen Center - bring it with you to the reunion. I'll put together chord charts and sheet music so we can play them together. [There is already a piano there (I think), so if you play piano, you'll be splitting time with my mother.] All I ask is that if you'd like to play, please let me know in advance so I can make arrangements for you. Of course nobody will NOT be allowed to play, but it'll be easier if I'm already expecting you.

So, if you have a favorite song you'd like to sing, let me know. And, if you play an instrument, dust it off and bring it with you. Who knows, maybe we'll be starting a whole new family tradition!

Would You Want To Be Remembered Like This?

I recently saw an ad campaign that shows a series of obituaries. One died a military hero. One was a fireman who died in the line of duty. Another died of natural causes, but was a great dad. The last one was "electrocuted while trying to steal copper." Then the tag line says "How would you like to be remembered?"

I remember learning who Steve McNair was. My family and I lived in Mississippi for 2 years - 1993-95 - the same 2 years that McNair rose to national prominence playing quarterback at Alcorn State University. "Air McNair," as he was known in those days, was a household word. It was no surprise, after his stellar career, that McNair would go in the NFL draft. In fact, he was drafted the number 3 pick overall in the 1995 draft by the Houston Oilers, who went on to become the Tennessee Titans. He was the local boy who made good. He could play everything, but seemed to excel playing football. He retired last year after a star-studded 12-year NFL career with a good name and the respect of his colleages and fans from all over the country. If only that was the end of the story.

In the days since the story broke regarding the murder of Steve McNair, that silly ad about the copper thief has come to mind again and again. There was no way McNair saw this coming. How could he? He had only been carrying on like this for just a few months. Reports say that he had been seen at the condo so often that neighbors thought he lived there. The fact that he could carry on such a complete double life, as has been revealed in news reports, is nothing short of amazing. But as each new tidbit of info is leaked into the press, the story becomes more pathetic - kind of like the guy in the ad. Make no mistake, the REAL victims here are McNair's wife and children, and maybe some of his extended family. One has to wonder how many may have known that any of this was going on. What of his numerous "friends?" Whatever the case, I know neither the man in the ad nor Steve McNair ever imagined that things would come to such an end. But, here it is, something noone could have imagined, playing out in front of us like a bad script. It is only a matter of time before the next bit of sordid info to hits the wire. When it does, it brings with it the kind of mess that will not clean up in a thousand lifetimes.

All the stories I've read and heard in the press are about McNair, the football player, or McNair, the philanthropist, or even McNair, the family man. But, unfortunately we are learning the the real story about Steve McNair without the benefit of hearing from McNair himself. I know, if given the opportunity, he could probably offer no good explanation for his behavior over the past several months. I'm sure he would like to try. But, I know for an absolute certainty that Steve McNair definitely would not have wanted to be remembered for anything like this.