Aug 23, 2009
I think of it as promoting valuable musical diversity; Molly thinks I’m creating a dork.
Orison listens to rock-n-roll, classical, folk, kids’ music, etc.
I’m simply encouraging more worthwhile eclecticism by including Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Molly disagrees.
* * * * *
Uh… you need to repent.
z
Your poor child.
My dad raised me with big doses of Lawrence Welk. So based on how I turned out…
…I think Molly may be right.
I was also raised with Lawrence Welk and have the opposite opinion…
…I think Abraham may be right.
I vote for “worthwhile eclecticism.” He’ll be well rounded.
BTW Ernie had an amazing baritone timbre!
I hesitate to get involved in a parenting disagreement…
but I’m with Ethan.
Oh, come on, Molly!
I’ll never forget the day George Usery brought a Tennessee Ernie Ford record (you know, those large cd sort of things) to the 3rd grade for show and tell. I heard “16 Tons” for the first time–lasting impression.
In Molly’s defense, I didn’t get Orison good, classic country. I got him a $.99 CD of hymns from 1990.
That song reminds me of my grandpa and how much he loved God. So, I say bring it!
…AND, I’m trying to find an cheap old record player so I can listen to some of my grandpa’s old records. The lengths dorks will go to to remain so…
I grew up on Psalty, Barbara Mandrell and Lawrence Welk. I’m normal… I think.
Call in social services. Get Childline on speed dial. That moustache is illegal in 48 states. It follows me around the room.
This would have brought tears to my Grandma’s eyes for the beautiful rendition and for the love of her seaman son. By all means include T.E.F. in your eclecticism for the sake of your children and for the rich history!
I’m thinking that “in touch with his dorkiness” is a quality we’d like our sons to aspire to in becoming suitable men, but I’m not sure what a dork is anymore. I thought I did, but I’m not so sure. I always thought I was a dork and I was okay with that, but maybe not. Is a dork rather like a nerd or, you know, someone who “doesn’t know better” than to say she enjoyed Tenessee Ernie Ford and is becoming less proud by and being humbled and being okay with not being “cool” (Does that sound prideful?)or is a dork someone who irons jeans with a crease down the front? (ewww.) The more I wonder, the more I just don’t know. Is it a matter of opinion? Hmmmmmm. I don’t usually comment on your blog because I think I sound like a dork when I do. Maybe I haven’t really embraced my dorkiness. But here I am writing an unthought-out-free-write on dorkiness, thus proving mine. I can shut up. Thanks for the space to write and the post to ponder.
I kind of liked that. And I fully embrace my inner nerd/geek/dork. Some one has to carry on cultural knowledge of T.E.F…
My parents raised me listening to most of the Trinity Hymnal (see???? Nerd.), Bible verses to music, the Carpenters, The Kingston Trio, and Simon and Garfunkel. I was a walking music box. I was a nerd and never knew it until junior high. By then it was too late.
I grew up on a very broad range of music, and still enjoy everything from heavy metal to Christian hip-hop. I’m 100% Free-Range Corn-Fed USDA Prime Dork, and not afraid to say so–and I LOVED this!
The music TEF sang is part of the foundation of the progression of music. My 18 year old was mortified to hear a 16 year old bashing “Rock Bands” next game all based on the Beatles. ” How stupid is that. Who cares about the Beatles?” the other kid said.
It was cool to hear my son say – “if it weren’t for the Beatles that kid wouldn’t have the music he likes to listen too, Doesn’t he get the basis of progression?”
TEF is part of the greatest generation (as they are called) that is almost gone. When I hear him or Ed Ames (My Cup Runneth Over) or Andy Williams (Moon River) I am transported to a time of love and warmth and feeling safe and taken care of. When I lived at home with my parents and everything was right ( or so I believed) with the world.
Think of the progression of music for your sons generation. In 30 to 40 years what music will he recall having an impact on his life. What sounds will recreate memories for him of the environment you are cherishing creating with him right now?
Coming from a music teacher … I say give them a taste of everything! When they are about 14 they choose their own anyway.
i like it.
I think I’m being slightly misrepresented, being that this post can only be 22 words. He gave his side of the situation 90.9% of the words. Is this fair????
i’m with molly. this totally isn’t fair. :)
You’re winning the argument, though. He included the video.
And kudos on the maths, by the way.
Well,bless your pea-pickin’ heart!
I am musically eclectic and was a dork but now I am cool.
So…. she’s saying you’re a dork?
Well she married you right?
The problem is….?
My dad frequently sang 16-Tons around the house, so I have a special affinity for TEF. I think it’s great to expose O to different styles of music, but do it tastefully, Abraham…no more $.99 country hymn CDs from 1990.
Molly-
Your point is well taken.
Here’s an idea to aid in getting in touch with dorkiness as a family:
Learn the song as a couple. Abraham sings Tennesee Ernie’s part, you and “singing sons” sing background? (Sing it “Piper family style”)Youtube it and post it.
Dorks Unite. It would be a valuable
promotion of musical diversity!
I love Tennesse Ernie Ford, especially his rendition of Ol Man River.
I love it! But then I’m very eclectic in my music tastes… :)
You could have done worse and bought a CD of CCM music from 2005.
TEF beats most modern stuff by a mile.
I’m all for your eclecticism. If you’re going to go with TEF, then you have to include Sixteen Tons. My boys listen to Johnny Cash, Psalty, Bruce Springsteen, Cities 97, classical, Wierd Al and worship music. It’s an important gift for any father to give.
I hope you get “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” by TEF so yu can expose him to ancient history too.
How can anyone question TEF? You may want to include some Marty Robbins also (Gunfighter Ballads and Trailsongs is great for any boy).
Warning: an irritation to contemporary Christian music may develop in the future.
Make sure he sees the episodes of I Love Lucy that feature TEF. Hilarity.
Mommy knows best!
It would be a terrible shame for a child to grow up without ever hearing TEF. I need to expose my children to such. Thanks for the reminder.
We all need a bit of dorkdom to remind us to stay normal.
Repeat after me, “My wife is right”, “My wife is right”.
Plus 16 Tons has much healthy instruction about debt and the Boss and the Company and St. Peter.
Having grown up on Lawrence Welk I say, “Classic!” Anders and Mari say “I’m bored.” Guess I have some work to do.
There’s nothing wrong with Tennessee Ernie Ford unless he also wears hand-knit sweaters. Might as well teach him to wear his pants up around his sternum if that’s what’s happening.
I’m just sayin’ …
You need to get him some decent recordings of the (relatively) young George Beverly Shea. The early recordings are poor quality, so you can’t appreciate his voice. The late recordings are well done, and his voice is still impressive, but only a shadow of what it once was.
BTW, I first heard the spiritual “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” on a GBS record. Great song, even with the style mismatch.
This post reminds me of Good Morning, Vietnam. In case any of you haven’t seen it, it takes place in 1965, and focuses on Adrian Cronauer, an irreverent, fast-talking DJ who offends the military top brass with his rapid-fire style and preference for rock ‘n’ roll. Anyway, there’s a hilarious scene in which one of Cronauer’s superiors, Adrian Hauk, tells him that artists that the Army find acceptable include Lawrence Welk, Jim Nabors, Mantovani, Percy Faith, Andy Williams, Perry Como, and certain ballads by Frank Sinatra. Cronauer responds by asking if Bob Dylan would be out of line.
Sorry, that should be Lieutenant (Steven) Hauk.