The Sounds of Music

I enjoy creating. It is a great stress reliever for me. I wrote the song "Do Ya Thank?" in 2000. This song is from my cd 'Cruise Control'.

Since I was a very young child, I have sang. My mother used to sing in a kind of humming way. She didn't sing much but played a lot of music. As a young child music was all around. When mom was in a jovial mood she would play any and all kinds of music on the radio and on the stereo. Her musical variety included: soul, rock, soft rock, jazz, instrumental, orchestra and country. In times of sadness mom would play the blues. I remember hearing BB King while strumming Lucy(his guitar), bellow in his voice full of memories, experience and pain about his troubles. I guess maybe the blues made momma feel better. I personally don't like the blues. I find it depressing. That's the great thing about music, there's a song for everyone, every mood or emotion.

When I wasn't submersed in sounds of music, I started creating my own. I started making up my own lyrics and melodies. One year when I was 7, mom sis and I were in a consignment shop. My sister and I spotted an electric piano. I remember being so excited and asking mom if she would get. The price was right! Sis and I played and played that little electric piano a lot. Sometimes, we would argue about who was on it longer. "It's my turn now. Get off. You've been on it too long...Mom!!!"

I have cassette tapes of songs I have written 20 years ago. Mostly, the music I make is just for me. However, that changed a couple of years ago when I was brainstorming for a fundraiser for The Leukemia Society. I was inspired to fund raise for LS on behalf of my niece Renee. She has Hodgkins Disease which is now in remission. After years of chemotherapy and blood transfusions, my niece is doing well. Despite her initial grim prognosis, Renee gave birth to a healthy baby girl in September 2009. My commitment along with other participants was to run a min-marathon and raised $2,000. While working out at the gym, I happened to mention my fundraising dilemma to one of the gals in my cycling class. Maria said she would gladly contribute. I told Maria about my songwriting. I had just finished making my cd "Cruise Control". I didn't have any plans for my music except maybe sharing with friends. Maria said she'd purchase my cd. Thus, my fundraising was on the way. For a contribution of $10 to The Leukemia Society, my donors received a cd. All things worked out well. I completed the mini-marathon and met my fundraising goal. Thanks to all the great people who donated.

How did I create the music for this video? Yeah, that's me a-playing and a-singing on a full sized Yamaha keyboard. I purchased it at a pawn shop. The price was right!

"Copyright Michelle Peterson 2010. Some rights reserved. miva-music.icopyright.com ."