Sharing a "Proud Dad" moment
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Posted on Jan 27, 2007 06:19 pm
guitar_jim
Czar of Cheese
Member Since: Jun 09, 2004
The moment came, as it comes to many, that I went down to the music store with my 13 year-old son to buy him his first "real" electric guitar. He's been teaching himself to play, using one of my old pawn shop clunkers that finally rendered itself useless. So with $400 of his hard-earned lawn mowing money, we got in the truck and headed over to Brickhouse Music in River Falls, to see what they had.
He pretty much had his heart set on an Epiphone Les Paul, and after trying several diferent makes and models, he did indeed settle on a cherry-burst Epi LP. He's upstaris rockin' out on it right now...
Anybody else had one of these proud dad experiences?
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Jan 27, 2007 08:05 pm Nice, very cool story, Jim.
Moments like that make it all worth while...when my oldest starts a beat on the drums and I plug in and jam along, or when we spar and she lands a nice strike on me...yeah, that's good stuff.
I am thinking of getting back in to the aquarium hobby, which at one time before kids I was heavily into (I had almost a dozen tanks, bred fish to sell and all that)...today me and my oldest went to a few stores looking at fish, she was asking all kinds of questions and stuff, it was a great bonding day.
Jan 28, 2007 03:56 am My son took an interest in keyboards when he was 12 and self taught was soon playing tunes with both hands.Then after a couple of years he just stopped and took up rollerblades so his sister took over on the piano.The same thing happened and I thought well at least they tried it.Now they are 22 and 19 this Christmas he wanted a guitar and she wanted a new keyboard!They are both improving at a rapid pace.Since December she is playing Moon River,The Entertainer and classical tunes and he is doing well too, its fantastic to see that enthusiasm again.
Jan 28, 2007 08:33 am The thing I am most bummed out about is having to quit the karate gym. Both kids were pretty good at it, but that instructor just pushed little kids too hard and taught them thing I don't think kids should be taught.
The worst part is all the other gyms suck and teach kids nothing useful or practical at all...and are super expensive...
Jan 28, 2007 09:26 am I guess I haven't been paying attention very well, dB, because I didn't realize you had to quit the gym. I sensed your passion for it, and was always interested to hear of your exploits there, especially since it's something I could never do!
That must have been pretty tough to have to end it like that. I remember that i had to quit a band once, when my third son came along (you know...parental duties and all). ONe of the hardest things I ever had to do. Ironically, that was the same son that bought his first guitar yesterday! I guess that life really is a circle game.
Jan 28, 2007 09:30 am Yeah, it was too tough for kids, he treated them like little soldiers...WAY too much P.T. which makes it hard to keep a kid interested in it if they know it's not "fun" to some extent. I haven't trained much for two months due to an injury that was just re-inflamed a couple days ago. I need to see a surgeon and have my knee's scoped.
I reallyt miss it, but still work out at a fitness club and work the heavy bag at home. Tried Tae Kwon Do, but that art is just senseless unless you are a hollywood stunt man, none of it would ever really work in the real world.
Jan 28, 2007 01:44 pm That story took me back to getting My 1st guitar from my dad, he was in the hospital after having a heart attack, unfortunately he passed away a week or so after this. I had been wanting to play the guitar for a while I was 15 at the time, and my dad asked to come to the hospital to talk. He told to to go home and look in the attic behind some things and I would find a old guitar and a old reel to reel machine that I could use as an amp. When I got home I found an old kingston guitar, and a beat up old reel to reel. But that old reel sounded great. I learned to play on that set up. It sure made buying my first stratocaster mean a lot more. That was about 30 years ago and it still feels good.
Jan 28, 2007 02:27 pm My dad still says the money he wasn't sure he had being spent on my first electric guitar was probably the best money he ever spent on me...he often says it's the only thing I have ever stuck with :-)
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 28, 2007 05:22 pm My 4 month old stomps her right foot all the time. I keep trying to get a kick pedal underneath but she squirms too much :)
Musically though, I can put her to sleep with acoustic guitar, she smiles and laughs when I sing to her, and she loves sitting on my lap while I mix because of all the peak indicators jumping around.
I may be trying hard but I just want one day for her to come home from junior high and say "Dad, are you ready to rock yet?". I will never force her into it, I'm just hoping to create some interest by exposing her to a lot of musical aspects at this young age.
Congratz to you JIM!!! I think that every musicians dream is to have there kids enjoy it as much as we do.
Jan 28, 2007 05:41 pm Talk about the best money spent, when my son who is 25 now, with a wife and 2 kids, came to me when he was 13-14 and said he wanted a program called adobe photo shop i had no idea what it was. After learning more about it and finding out what it cost, we really thought about this one. We broke down and got it for his b-day, hoping he would stick with it. Well he taught his self a lot on that program up to the point of having some of his work put on display in the Maryland state capital when he was in high school. Well he went in to business recently and I'm really proud to see him follow his passion. Take a look at a cd package he did, he just put the site together a little bit ago. www.acedro.com/dirty.html
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 28, 2007 05:43 pm So that means we get a deal if we go through him for album work? :)
But yeah, nice work, very professional indeed.
Jan 28, 2007 05:58 pm Thanks a bunch, but oh yeah actually he's of a mind that might actually be willing to work out a deal if it comes from HRC or something. He just recently picked up a label from a prominent jazz musician for their future projects.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 28, 2007 09:44 pm I think with 4 boys I've had many proud moments over the years. One would be finding out my second oldest was deeply into making and producing music. That of course was when he was 17, and the first time I had seen him since he was a newborn. He is now 23 and leaving LA for Portland to test some new ground. Another would be when Tuna discovered that he had an ear for finding sounds that fit well together. This came while I was stuck to find a synth patch to fit a piece of music. And while I was out in the garage having a smoke, he was in the room fiddling with my Juno 106 and upon my return he proudly announced he had just the right sound I was looking for. Indeed he had and from then on out he has been my extra set of ears in the studio when I get stuck or am unsure. Now he has discovered he as well has a knack for cooking, and I'm not just talking about macaroni and cheese here. The kid can whip up some tasty full on meals.
Ray, well he is just Ray. A rather large growing boy and getting bigger every day. He likes the drums but isn't really into that as a full time thing.
But the thing that makes me proudest with 3 of them is their love for every kind of music on the planet. And the willingness to at least give it a chance. It is always a good feeling when Tuna or Ray pop in some Johnny Cash, some odd jazz stuff or even a bit of classical now and then.
Jan 29, 2007 12:50 am And "proud BoysMum" moments. There have been many for me. But I think the proudest moment was when Colonel Sanders was born. Lol.
He was the loveliest baby that ever was born and the loveliest boy...until recent times *ahem.*
His biggest recent achievements include:
being able to open the door before trying to walk through it
tying his shoe laces
feeding himself without having to cut the evidence of that meal from his hair
Lol
tonyd1970The fat one always watches us.Member
Since: Nov 08, 2002
Jan 29, 2007 09:26 am I've got 12 more years till he's 13... but im looking forward to the same moment.......
good stuff that.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Jan 29, 2007 04:22 pm Man, I grew up on The Cash and I still hear kids listening all the time. It makes me happy for them.
Jan 29, 2007 05:03 pm I am in my office coding away and my five year old is sitting at the dinner table doing some craft and singing "Old king joe was a merry old soul"...but she only knows one verse...
Very cute.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Jan 30, 2007 03:07 pm BoysMum: You're cracking me up. And CS is probably going, "Aww....Mum...."
Jim (et al): Having your kid want to be "just like dad" means that you've really done something right. Kids are tough critics, and any 'bonding' action on their part usually means your good in their eyes. Well done.
On the other hand....I've tried threatening my kids that I'll disown them if they become musicians....Don't want them wasting away years on...hold on...I just turned into my dad, didn't I?
Jan 30, 2007 05:00 pm Yes Tallchap, the CS snippets are even funnier because they are completely true. In fact only two weeks ago I think, he had to pull food out of his hair. You also have to be careful about chasing him around the house...if the doors are closed.
When CS was about three, we were just finishing lunch I think, and I was talking to my husband and called him darling. CS's eyes never left his fathers when he replied, "I'm her darling." Lol. Ahhh. They were the days. Lol
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 30, 2007 05:28 pm awwww, how sweet =)
heh heh,
My 12yo skipped on band last year, but still plays piano and keyboard, often with both hands, playing different parts. I showed him a few different songs I've learned through the years, so he's playing them by ear, but still doing well.
My youngest is now in the band at school, her first year, playing my old alto saxophone. We had it re-fitted all around to make it ship-shape, and she's been doing very well. We got to watch her at the school Christmas program. It was great.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 30, 2007 10:28 pm BoysMum, that paints a new image of CS for sure. Although I do remember having long hair and finding snacks in it on occasion in my younger days.
I think for me the proudest moment with Tuna would be when someone asked him about his relationship with me and his reply was something like, "Ya he's my dad, but he is really my best friend". Needless to say I had to leave the room for a few minutes to regain my composure.
Jan 31, 2007 06:49 pm Tuna's a similar age to CS? Well that speaks volumes about the both of you then Noize.
And I must talk to CS about his new "best friend"....ME! Lol
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Jan 31, 2007 07:06 pm Man, if I didn't know better, I'd think Boys Mum was my mum and I was CS....
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Feb 01, 2007 11:54 am Just reminded me...
Last father's day, my daughter (15) gave me a framed photograph of her when she was a baby on my lap wearing my sunglasses (big ol' Rayban II's). It's one of the few pictures I have of her at that age (lost the lot in the divorce from her mom). Around the frame she added stickers that she'd made herself that said, "Cool Dad!", "Weird Dad", "Happy Fathers Day!", "I love you", and my favourite..."My best friend!"
Yeah, I cried.
Feb 01, 2007 03:44 pm Although for you to be CS Coolo, you'd need to have had so many years product consuming experience, to be able to blind test and correctly identify KFC from all other fried chicken burgers in the universe. Lol.
That was a lovely story TallChap. Sounds like even though its tough being a teenager, people here seem to be getting through this stage, with respect in tact. No mean feat that.
Feb 01, 2007 04:54 pm Hey, you bought the KFC for me.
steveopop musicMember
Since: Sep 27, 2005
Feb 01, 2007 05:24 pm >So with $400 of his hard-earned lawn mowing money
To my thinking, that's what I'd be most proud of. Good job Dad!
Feb 02, 2007 05:27 am Hey, you asked for it. And wth does editOR mean anyway? Lol
Feb 02, 2007 06:06 am Every time I notice "edit0r" I start having a spoof type Weird Al Yankovic version of Nugent's "Predator" start going through my head.
Feb 03, 2007 12:53 am Its like "Batman!".... but "edit0r!"... Some guy from a band started calling me it and it stuck.
Potential Client: "Help, edit0r! Our drummers **** house!"
edit0r: "$25 an hour!"
Feb 03, 2007 06:56 am New Best Friend: "editOr! I'll send the tracks but its pretty muddy. My sons shirts are bleeding all over his bedroom floor into the half empty freshly sqeezed OJ's, partially eaten choc wrappers and solder.
I don't know. Do I need more or less compression or just a broom?"
editOr: "No worries madam. I...editOr have a broom in my gear rack and what's more...I'll do it for free!"
Aww...(lol)
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Feb 03, 2007 08:19 am obviously EditOr is the evil clone of Edit0r...
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 03, 2007 05:13 pm You guys and gal are pretty funny here. Ya, KFC chicken little's, Tunas younger brother can plow through a dozen or more without even flinching. I fear he will hit or come close to the 200 pound mark this year at 14 years of age. And the chubby parts are almost all gone so it isn't just him being heavy anymore, he is just plain big.
Mum, ya I believe Tuna and CS must be pretty close in age. Tuna turned 17 on the 26th of this month so I think he is almost a year younger then CS. If I make the trip to NZ he would be my traveling partner. I fear what might be if he and CS met and started plotting as those their age do. But indeed, there are times when the best friend must turn to father and enlighten the son to right and wrong. But the tension now is usually very short lived, like 15 minutes, then Tuna usually figures out his mistake and all is good once again.
Feb 03, 2007 05:49 pm Lol zek. and vice versa. lol
Well Noize you and Tuna are most welcome. And yes there is nearly a year between them. Arie is 18 in May. Look out tho, he got a car before xmas last year. He couldn't afford the Firebird he so wants, but it gets him around.
So I'll tell you and Tuna a bit about where we live in Christchurch. Just at the end of last year we bought a home just out of the city. 30 mins from the airport. It is 15ha and was run previously as an ostrich farm and bed and breakfast. Every bedroom has an ensuite, so we are visitor capable. Lol.
My mother and soon-to-be 8 yr old niece live in the lovely cottage also on the property. My niece is also a budding musician. She plays piano and violin. This year she starts classical guitar as well. Her passion is dancing and she does ballet and starts jazz this year.
On the farm on the other side of the island in South Westland in a place called Whataroa and also in Franz Josef, we are still milking. Next month we start gearing up for spring and the 1750 cows will be dry about CS's bdy.
South Westland provides some of the most beautiful and spectacular vistas. It is unique in that native bush runs down to the sea. Very mild temperate climate but a bit of rain. On a clear day...it feels like nothing else on earth.
We have already planned your tour of the South Island. hehe. Let us know if you'd like any input. Lol.
Feb 03, 2007 05:53 pm Lovin readin this thread!!!
I got my 5 year old daughter a kids acoustic - she loves it. She cant really play of course but she'll learn...given time, patience and of course, if she wants too.
Felt good tho jammin out a basic 3 note thing with her trying to fret the darn wee guitar!! Alas, it sounds almost banjo-esque but aye, I Can relate to this thread big time!!!
I also have a wee boy (2 years old)...he loves banging things with sticks, hammers (TOY HAMMERS I ADD) so, there might be a wee drummer there!! Who knows....in any case, all cool to read this stuff.
Awra best
Coco
Feb 17, 2007 09:51 pm The "Proud Dad" saga continues, as my son and a few of his buddies have a band, and they played for the Middle School Talent Show the other night.
I don't have a video camera, but our cheapo HP digital camera does have a movie mode. So I held up the camera while they were playing and I shot this little low-resolution video clip:
Keep in mind...they're 13 years old! (But I couldn't have been prouder!) My son is the one on the left, playing his new cherryburst Epiphone Les Paul.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 17, 2007 10:07 pm Way cool Jim, nice medley they put together indeed. And chick singer, thats moving up at that age. And one of em blowin a harp, thats class I tell ya!
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Feb 17, 2007 10:14 pm yah know... a efw years ago I saw a group of 13yo's cover MXPX... an they were significantly better than MXPX... midleskoolers can be amazing if given the direction.
That chick has a deep voice for being 13 too... Now if they would just stand up...and one of them shave their head or they get a black kid they'd be perfectly marketable... :)
Feb 18, 2007 12:05 am Let's see...13 year old (black optional) chicks with deep voices, shaved heads, wrapping their lips around SM58s. tick tick tick.. My brief market analysis suggests a winner!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 18, 2007 01:00 am Ah, is that your brain abandoning ship there Herb?
Nice lips by the way.
Feb 18, 2007 02:33 am Thanks. Grew them myself.
Feb 18, 2007 07:16 am i am 32 and still dont have a pro guitar. i keep going back to these squiers.
will u be my dad
Feb 18, 2007 09:40 am Yes, son, I've always wanted a child named after a measurement of distance! Ha! :-)
By the way, his guitar is way better than mine too. All I have now is one of those Squier 51s and a piece of crap Tele copy that I bought at a pawn shop for $50.
Feb 18, 2007 09:51 am I love the song Big Ol' Jet Airliner, one of my all time favs.
Very cool vid, really takes me back to my high school band days...lots of people (parents and some stuffy staff) weren't real happy when we played though, it was a religious school...we ruffled quite a few feathers.
You should be proud, very cool.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 19, 2007 08:44 pm And nice new avatar for you as well dB!
