| Dayton Music Guide -Get The Full Effect John Mortimer Well, the webmaster has assigned me to report on my most difficult subject; myself. But, I like a challenge, so I'll do my best. I guess you could say that my musical career has been, in the immortal words of Paul MaCartney, a "long and winding road", of trials and triumphs, incidents and accidents, faces and places, hotels, motels and no-tells. Tying it all together is a common thread. I've come to know that music is not just what I do, it's what I am. I am sometimes asked which came first, singing or playing instruments, it's hard to say, it seems to have all been bubbling inside me since I was a toddler, face glued to the tv screen, busily memorizing all the commercials, (I remember them to this day), and carefully scrutinizing the entertainers of the time, people like Sam Cooke, Lionel Hampton, Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat King Cole. (Guess I'm dating myself here.) Mom liked to sleep with the radio on, so I heard other music during the night, and by the time we got a record player, I was hooked! As mentioned my uncle Charles (aka Fudge) always seemed to have a singing group going and when someone missed rehearsal, he grabbed me to fill out the harmony, at home, there was R&B in the living room and jazz playing in dad's den, so I was immersed in music as a youngster. I learned to play music whenever I got access to an instrument, a piano at school, or a friends drums, until I got my own (thanks MOM!!) and developed some skill over time, and the rest, as they say, is history. My one regret (I've been told that it's a gift) is that I went straight to playing without learning the theory. (ahh, the impatience of youth!), anyway, I realize that my talents come from HE who bestows all blessings, and I give thanks to HIM. I still play and record music at home and occasionally perform in public, now my music is more innovation, and less imitation, and I still get great joy and peace from it . But my real gratification comes when someone approaches me, asks if I still sing or play, and tells me with a smile, of somewhere they saw me perform. That always makes my day. P.S. Thanks to all the wonderful musicians and singers I've worked with, both past and present. Let the music play on!! |
©
1999/All Rights Reserved