My grandfather Philip Arkansas was a proficient musician. He moved from Ft Duchesne, UT in the 1930s to teach music at the Cherokee School. I never met him but know of his musical prowess from all who did. He could play each instrument he taught and music was as much of his life as the sun in the sky.
His 2 daughters are also famous in these parts for their musical ability. Melba sang like a song bird. My favorite song she sang was "Without a Song". I can still hear her beautiful voice ringing true and clear. I've never heard a better rendition than hers. Her sister Azalea aka "Aunt Ozzi" played the french horn and piano and organ. She played with both the Utah and NC state Orchestras at different times.
A humorous aside here might be the nicknames my family has for each other. Aunt Ozzi's full name is beautiful. Azalea Arkansas Oocumma. There is also John Michael Arkansas aka "Dobbs". Steven Walker Arkansas aka "Stebo". And Max Hawk Saunooke aka "Max Hawkie Bird". As you can see the more phonetically pleasing the name , the sillier the nickname. But that's just us.
My mother's side is musically gifted as well. My Grandmother Yoder played the piano at church for more than 60 years. My mother played the piano and was a prolific song writer with a trunk full of songs. A favorite childhood memory is singing those songs as we barreled down the highway on the way to a ball game or a concert. (Both frequent adventures to be discussed in future blogs!)
Music was a part of my childhood. I had four older teenage siblings in the 70s. I cut my musical teeth on Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones. I can remember the Stones album cover with a cake on the front and the one with a zipper that actually zipped.
So I've been listening to this CD over and over for weeks and cannot get enough of it. I'm looking forward to hearing the finished album. Regina always sang to us. She is 10 years older than I am. Some of my earliest memories are of singing with her. The Morning After, Down in the Valley, Little Bunny Foofoo and Cumbaya. Later I remember Bob Seger and Rod Stewart coming from the radio as she drove us around in her red 1979 Camaro with the wind in our hair and not a care in the world except keeping our hair out of our ice cream cones and the ice cream off the white leather seats.
She was and is the ultimate big sister. She never made us feel silly or bothersome. Ask her high school friends and they'll remember all the little Arkies hanging around. I know I was lucky. I remember a childhood of love, acceptance and feeling appreciated. Maybe luckiest of all to have a childhood filled with song. When I hear her sing I remember all of that. When she sings I know I'm lucky. My childhood has a voice and it is Regina Arkansas Swimmer aka "Sissy".
http://www.lori-h.com/reginaswimmer/
MOUNTAIN MUSIC
by Carmen Arkansas Nations
My Grandaddy came to teach the band
at the Government School on Indian Land
Left his home far away in the West
for that sweet mt music he loved best
Let the sound break forth
like water from stone
with a need to be heard
a desire to be known
Music to many
Gospel to a few
it ain't got to be pretty
but it has to ring true
It's a way of living/It's a way to be.
It's a way of loving that can set you free.
My song is not a secret/It's an open heart
As I take my place/As I sing my part
Let the sound break forth
like water from stone
with a need to be heard
a desire to be known
Music to many
Gospel to a few
it ain't got to be pretty
but it has to ring true
