Rediscovering My Folk Music Heritage

I was not raised on Celtic music. I heard a little bit of bagpipes growing up when my dad took me to some Highland Games like those at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. But that was about it.

When I was a kid, my dad's recreation involved playing folk music in the folk scene of Maryland. It involved a little bit of bluegrass and a lot of folk. He played the autoharp, mountain dulcimer, and other folk instruments, but the banjo is what I remember him playing the most. There were a lot of great songs from the 60s, 70s, and much, much older. I still have one of the song books he compiled.

I mention it, because yesterday, I was supposed to be working on my Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Instead, I fumbled around on the net, and at the end of the day, I went for a walk with my autoharp. I started writing.

It's kinda funny how I write sometimes. I start strumming. And then just let words flow from my mouth. Then I grab my recorder and start recording. But yesterday, something special emerged.

Yesterday, a chorus came to me inspired by Lil' Bit, a cat who lives at the Haeuser Hotel. I spurted lyrics. And inspired by the hostess of the house, I put a bluesy twist to the song. And the lyrics exploded forth. Voila'! A new song!

After making a rough recording to remember the song for later recording, I started looking at other music in a similar vein, and my folk heritage re-emerged. I think that's what I will record when I get to Germany.

Which is kinda funny now that I think about. Heidelberg, Germany was the first place I every busked. And what did I play when I was there? American folk songs.

It's like I've been rediscovering my musical heritage. And it makes me happy. Maybe eventually, I'll talk my dad into recording on an album with me.