Album Inspiration #5 : Home & History
After releasing two small EP’s, one in 2011 and one in 2013, I've been thinking for the better part of a year and a half about developing this full-length album. What would it take to do that? Am I good enough? I began writing and have undertaken this with a great co-writer/co-producer and it feels more and more in my sights. More and more doable. This process also has me thinking a lot about my personal family history and how that lineage is connected to the larger musical history of the country. I've been reminded that I belong in this story of music makers and music lovers. I wonder just how far back that love goes....
My Dad and I when I was just under 1 years old.
My father’s mother and father were born in the early 1900’s in Arkansas and as part of the “Great Migration” (the relocation of more than 6 million African Americans from the rural South to the cities of the North, Midwest and West from 1916 to 1970) moved to the suburban town of Fort Wayne, Indiana in the late 1950’s to find work and raise their young family. My grandfather, Lawrence McPherson, worked in the steel mill for decades and also served in the military. My grandmother was a hard working woman as well and is alive today to remind us all of that.
Their travel and their journey impacted my father and he has been a huge influence in my life - always exposing me to new music and talking with me about who singers are, where they came from, what their music meant when their music came out...etc. My mother too! Such gifts bestowed upon me.
This week I'm inspired to think about and celebrate my family and their musical generosity.
