Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Music Fest….

   I lost my dad back in 1993 and my mom in 1998. I miss them every day but by 2001, I was really missing them and their wonderful music. I was talking it over one day with my mother in law Alice Mary. Between the two of us, we came up with a plan. We decided to have a big party in memory of my folks and their music. I can’t exactly remember when that was but the results I do remember. It would be in August of 2001 and it would be held at Alice’s farm because she had a huge back yard. We sent out invitations to everyone we could think of to include both sides of my family and many of hers. I don’t remember the exact number of people that came but it was very well attended. I had some of my dads old sheet music that he so lovingly collected over the years. Some were stained and torn and should have been thrown out, but instead, I salvaged pieces of them. These pieces ended up going into a poster made by Alice for the party. The party was called The Music Fest.  Alice took old photos of my folks, some of my fathers musician friends, information I had given her about their lives and more, and made 2 wonderful posters that hung outside at the event. Here are some pictures of them….DSC04095 Here’s the poster in full. Here are some close ups..DSC04096 That’s me playing guitar with my folks on the couch to the right. My brother is top left at another celebration some years earlier. These are all photos from the past so we could feel as if they were there with us.DSC04097 Alice added many pictures of old instruments and typed in sayings she thought someone in the photo may have been saying…really cute.DSC04098 This is a family friend named Edgar who played an unbelievable piano. He played like Scott Joplin…..many rag time tunes. The blue piano is him playing at my wedding reception. My dad had passed but my mom was there.DSC04099 This man is Edgar’s brother Kenny and in this photo he was tap dancing to an old tune. That man was one of the funniest men I have ever met. He also played a mean mandolin. I have great memories of him from my childhood and of Edgar too. This poster is a treasure.DSC04100 This is my fathers band he played with at his 60 plus club once a month in Portland. Alice also dropped in info regarding my dad’s being in the Army.DSC04101 More….with the same idea in mind about my mom being a nurse.DSC04102 My mom performing one New Year’s Eve at a local club.DSC04103 They truly loved one another.DSC04104 The dedication section of the poster.DSC04105 An old sheet music cutout about unlocking a door she put in. It was a wonderful, wonderful celebration. There were many old musicians that were there that played in remembrance of Paul and Lydia that day. Two trumpet players, two drummers, several guitar players, banjo, tambourine, an electric piano, a saxophone and more entertained us all. I played a little guitar and sang one of my favorite Lydia tunes…..yup….you guessed it….Bill Bailey!! In my next post, I will show you some of the actual photographs of the gathering. It was awesome and I hope, someday to have a Music Fest II. :)

                    lh

10 comments:

The cottage by the Cranelake said...

What a great idea! I can imagine that it must have been a success!
AliceMary do have a great artistic talent putting the posters together so good!
Christer.

Anonymous said...

I remembered some of this from your telling me about , but it was nice seening and reading about it. Great pictures and I liked the one of your mother singing.They sure enjoyed music and each other.

Dawn said...

What a nice celebration of love, and life! You guys did a great job and Alice is a gem!
Madame is playing the piano and saxophone, she likes the arts. I must admit, I love the sound of the paino throughout the house and will miss it.

Anonymous said...

Yup was a happy day for many and one more goodoldtime to remember for the goodoldbeans and the younger ones too.

Anonymous said...

Oh, this is such a lovely way to keep some memories! You did a beautiful job on this!
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Kathleen said...

I lost my Dad in 1993. I lost my Mom in 2002...she was a nurse, too. What a wonderful celebration of your parent's lives! What a joyous day that must have been. The posters are such beautiful keepsakes, both of their lives, and of that special day. And how appropriate to celebrate with music, their great love. They must have had so much fun together. I am so glad you have such wonderful memories...Hugs, Kathleen

Debbie said...

Christer:...Thanks! It was a blast!! Yes...Alice Mary is so talented in many, many, ways!
Margaret:...Yes my dear cousin!...You were invited too!!
Dawn: Thanks friend...you will not be sorry your Madame is learning to play instruments. It will always be with her. Music is magic.
Sheila:...Thanks Sweetie...we really enjoy this kind of thing.
Kathleen:...That's unbelievable that we lost our dads the same year and our moms within 4 years of each other? Wow! It was a joyous celebration and many people worked together to make it happen...thanks Kathleen for your kind words.:)

Smart Mouth Broad said...

What a great idea and tribute to your parents. It's extra special that your MIL helped you do it. I still have my dad but my mom passed 5 years ago Feb. I miss her so much. Hugs,SMB

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Hi Debbie..
What a talented set of parents you had! I can tell you are proud of them! They would be so pleased to know you remembered them in this way. There is nothing like old photo's to make the past come alive to others. Whereever they are you can bet they are smiling down on you!
Have a wonderful Sunday..
~Smiles and love~
Mona

Anonymous said...

... Well presented, dearest Debbie ... I look forward to your other posts regarding our successful "Music Fest-Tribute to Lydia and Paul Landry" ...
To your parents, I curtsey ...
Love, GeeGee

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