One of the best things about music is the fact that people can enjoy music in so many different ways such as listening, singing along, dancing, playing an instrument, and even working out. Everyone can enjoy music because music is a universal language. One of my favorite music memories is when I played in the Houston Youth Symphony. Everyone in the symphony had worked hard for months and the concert was finally here. I especially enjoyed playing the piece “Polovetsian Dances from Prince Igor” by Borodine. Performing a great concert with challenging music is a great feeling.

Summer of 2010, one that I will never forget! My sister and I had tickets for several Adam Lambert concerts. By chance and being in the right place at the right time, we were given the honor of sitting in on his soundcheck at his Hyannis concert. It was by far the most FANTASTIC experience ever! That boy can SING!!! I sat about 50 feet from the stage in complete awe!! I think my eyeballs nearly popped out of my head, as I sat there in pure amazement  watching him prepare and perfect his show for his fans. He is an AMAZING performer, his vocals are flawless!! I consider it such an great honor to have had the priveledge to be behind the scenes and then just two hours later watch him emerge in ‘character’ larger than life … AMAZING!

My best music memory comes from when I signed up for school at Full Sail University in the music degree program. I have always love music and decided to take my love to another level when I signed up. Seeing all the musicians and future producers there made my love for music grow even more. Full Sail University as the best equipments there for students to make music.

Last summer when I was living in NYC, I remember walking out of my apartment, and there seemed to be a sort of mayhem in the air. I remember seeing a ton of people on the streets crying on the phone, and I knew something was wrong. I was on my way to dinner with a friend, and on the televisions at the restaurant, the Breaking News story was that Michael Jackson had just been rushed to the hospital, and later that day, he was pronounced dead. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and I finally understood everyone’s pain. Later that night, I went home and put his album collection on repeat on my stereo.

My biggest and greatest musical memory was October 20,2009 at Southern University College for Homecoming week when I was able to meet someone who I have been following since 1997 who everyone know as MONICA. Well after the concert, I was backstage and got the chance to talk with her and take a picture with her. She was so nice to me and she really went out of her way to see that I was able to meet her and from that moment on I have traveled from city to city to show my love and support at random concerts that she books. That was my favorite musical memory that I will never ever forget as long as I live.

We are so, so inspired by Justin Bieber!!! We don’t have much money and have never gone to a concert. He is our true hero – he was poor as a kid and got somewhere big! We have loved music ever since we were children. We can remember any song by just listening to it once! Music is a big part of our lives. It keeps us going and believing anything can happen, and to ‘NEVER SAY NEVER!!’ We believe that if Justin had a miracle come true than we can, too! Music gets us through the tough times!!!

My fondest music memory is one that is not actually a memory of my own, but a story that I am reminded of constantly throughout my life. When I was three years old, I gave my first performance on stage at my school’s talent show. I sang and “LOVE” by Natalie Cole, while tap-dancing in my heart-embelished tutu. No one can remember if I was nervous, but at the end of my performance I took a bow. This was not any bow, however. I kept bowing so long that my pre-school teacher had to come up, take me by the hand, and guide me off the stage. This was the beginning of a beautiful love, excuse the pun, for an art that has no bounds. In the years to follow, many days of sitting on my grandpa’s lap at the organ turned into years of piano lessons and vocal coaching. Although I eventually had to put performance on the back burner as I pursued other ventures, I will never abandon my passion. Three year-old me lives on, joyfully, inside the twenty-two year old version of me that is now a law student.

I have a few little memories leading up to the big main favorite. When I first started kindergarden, the first thing I did was stand on the top of my desk, let every kid know who I was, and that I will be their classmate. Then started to sing, ‘the sun with come out tomorrow,’ to the whole class. I would sing all the time in the house, and at school. Sang a christmas song for the family. And finally, my Sophomore year in high school, I performed in the Acoustic Rock Show we had. My friend played the guitar and I sang. First time live in front of a really big audience. I knew at that moment, all of the little hints I left myself all these years came out to be real.

One of my many memories of music is back in like 1994 when I was like 6. I remember driving to Kings Dominion in Virginia with my father’s mom and my uncles and they had Whitney Houston playing. I would be in the back seat singing along SOOO loudly. Every time they turned it down to hear me, I would stop singing. They would turn it up, I would start again! My dad wasn’t around to experience how talented I was, but its all good! I. Got over my stage freight and now music is all I want to do.

My gift of music has been a continuation of the gift that started with my son’s father (Robin), and continued with me to our son (Kellen). When my son was 9, his father purchased for him a used alto saxophone for him to take lessons. Since than he mastered this instrument, self taught himself keyboards, and learned to write, create and perform in other areas of musical production. I continued to nurture this gift after my husbands passing, with more instruments and lessons over the years. But, the passion for music was instilled in him from his father when even as a baby, all types of musical styles were played in our home from classical, to Jazz, to R&B and beyond. The root started with my husband’s love of music and performing and grew into his extension of this passion and love which is now my son. I am proud to watch my son amaze me with his instinct and style that can only be described as the quote states on some of his shirts that “I am music”, because he is, because he not only hears but sees and feels music. Now as he has accepted his call to produce and create, he will be attending music college.

I really remember watching the Grammy Awards in 1983 and was pleasantly surprised when Boy George and Culture Club came on live via satelite to accept their award as Best New Artist. Boy George remarked that America knows a good drag queen when they see one. I already thought Culture Club and Boy George were fantastic, however up until that point I was never much into music. I have been in to music ever since and I think of that night fairly often.

My oldest memory of music was sitting down at the piano when I was 3 years old and fumbling through a Michael Jackson song that I had heard on the radio. My Mom was in the other room and said something like “Mark! What are you doing!?” I knew from that point that music was something that came natural to me and I have always been drawn to it. It’s such a beautiful form of art – nothing gives me the chills through my whole body like an amazing song, a breathtaking live performance, a certain combination of melody and lyrics that really hits home. Music is love.

I had been looking for a CD of the “All This Love” DeBarge album. I had the music, but wanted the liner notes so I could see who wrote what, who played what instrument, etc. I found one that was the CD released in Japan with the liner notes in English and Japanese on eBay. I bought it and had it shipped from Japan. Months later, I had the chance to see El DeBarge live at a Christmas tree lighting appearance in LA. I brought the CD with me and was able to give it to El personally as a reminder that his family’s music had touched people throughout the world and to pass on to future generations. It was an honor for me to be able to give back to an artist who had given me so much great music.

My first memory of music is my father and mother was fans of Michael Jackson. Since I was born Michael Jackson music was always played in the house and everywhere. When I got my first tape/record player ‘Off The Wall’ was the first tape cassette I got for one Christmas. I’ve been a devoted fan/admirer/supporter since then. I don’t remember too much about the ‘Thriller’ album year when Michael won 8 GRAMMYs as I was 4, but one of the most memorable GRAMMY moments I remember That I LOVED was in Feb.1992 when sister Janet Jackson presented him with the Outstanding Achievement Award. It was really a precious brother/sister moment and Michael’s speech was outstanding and heartfelt as well. Now that I’m 29, I’m really still sad about the loss a few days after my birthday last year, but I’m thankful Michael is still getting recoginized by the GRAMMYs.

As a young girl, my mother always wanted me to play piano. I took piano lessons, performed in school plays and sang in church. Although she didn’t have a lot of money, she bought me a piano and I continued to practice and play. As I grew older, and for many different reasons, I lost interest in the piano and ultimately abandoned it. In moving, the piano was damaged beyond repair and I got rid of it. Though I wasn’t playing, I missed that piano so much I bought another one. The piano sat and sat. Finally I started watching the video of EL Debarge (Second Chance) and I became inspired to return to the piano. I’m rusty, much much older, but I practice daily. That video gave me hope that anything is possible. Maybe one day, I can play like EL does. Though my mom is long gone, she can be happy that her baby girl is back to the piano and she can thank EL for inspiring me.

I currently live in Spicewood, Texas, which is out in the middle of no where, and have to drive at leave 20 miles to where ever I want to go. It takes me 30 minutes to get to work, an hour to get into Austin, and an hour and 20 minutes to reach my boyfiend’s apartment in San Marcos. I go to all these places weekely, so I put A LOT more miles on my car than the average person. Most people would see driving long distances as a bad thing, but I love it, and for only one reason, Music. My car rides are my jam out sessions, my time to pretend I’m on stage with Michael singing “Earch Song”, and the best part of my day. I come alive in my car when singing along with my favorites: Michael, Britney, Gaga, my boy Justin Timberlake, Madonna, and the list goes on and on. So thank you to all my heroes for allowing me to make my favorite music memories everyday.

My interest in the music business definitely started when I attended my first concert … none other than the pop goddess, Ms. Britney Spears! I was in awe of her talent, the show, the audience and the experience. From that day, I have been obsessed with not only attending concerts, but the prospect of creating, organizing and executing one!

My favorite musical memories was at church when I had my first big solo. I was so nervous that in the beginning of the song you could hear the trembling in my voice. I didn’t know what to do. Everyone in the pews was silent until my mom just yelled out “Come on Corie!” Then I knew I had a true supporter. So, I sang to the best of my capability. I had the choir as my background vocals and received a standing ovation. I even shed a couple tears.

My favorite song is “Somewhere over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (it’s my favorite version)
When I heard this song, I feel me in an other world without war, trouble and illness. This song represent the enjoy moments, love, frienship and the world discribes in this song look like astounding paradise.
I come from Switzerland and I’m in San Diego for improve my English during several months and before to come here I hearded this song only in the Americain movies and I fall in love. Finally, now I know the name of the song and I’m very happy. I’m thankful for my host family cause now I know all about this song.

The greatest gift I ever received was a violin, and since my mom bought it for me in high school, I have been able to give the gift of music through my symphony concerts, the private lessons I taught, the weddings I’ve played, and all the neighbors I’ve kept awake through the years!