Music and Family

I interviewed my dad about his experience with music since I've never actually asked him about his music. Here is the transcript of that interview:

Me:
What kind of experience with music did you have?

Dad:
Like currently or as a kid?

Me:
Just throughout your life.

Dad:
What kind of experience do I have on music?

Me:
I guess did you? 

Dad:
Not really

Me:
What was your favorite kind of music growing up?

Dad:
OK, I like your country music or classic rock. Like 70s rock, 60s.

Me:
Was the same throughout your life, or did it ever change at any point?

Dad:
I guess it may be changed a little because I like most all music other than Hard rap music.

Me:
Was there any particular and the song, album, or group that you really enjoyed or you know you had any particular attachment to? Even just for a short period of time or a longer time.

Dad:
I don't know that I have a favorite, but I like my Jimmy Buffett/beach kind of music, or I don't know of a favorite country group.

Me:
Yeah

(Mom suggests a group or two)

Dad:
Yeah, like Toby Keith or those kind, and rock music? Just like classic stuff; I don't know the group.

Me:
Yeah

Dad:
I like patriotic music. I don't mean patriotic like Symphony Orchestra music. I mean, like country songs or rock songs that are patriotic in nature.

Me:
OK What is the most out there weird song you've ever heard?

Dad:
I don't know I guess there's some kind of, I think like Marilyn Manson kind of songs are probably the craziest songs.

Me:
OK, what are those like? I don't know off the top of my head.

Dad:
Like really hard rock like psycho. It's like extreme alternative mixed with rock, mixed with like... insanity.

Me:
Ok. Bit of a Deeper question: what is the purpose of music to you?

Dad:
I usually use music to relax. Get your mind off of other stuff. Was that what you mean?

Me:
Yeah, kind of. And how would you define music?

Dad:
How do I define music?

Me:
Yeah, what is music?

Dad:
What is music? OK so music's gotta have rhythm and it could be just words it doesn't have to have instrumental, but has to have a flow to it like a beat and the rhythm. And I don't know how to describe it, sounds but they need to be in like a pattern of some sort. That's a crazy question.

Me:
Yeah. Have you ever met any famous musicians or, more specifically, ones that you listen to and liked?

Dad:
Right, I'm trying to think. Actually met them? No. I don't think so. I don't think I've ever met any famous musicians. I've been to concerts and stuff, but I don't think I've ever met any.

Me:
OK. Do you think your taste in music says something about you and your personality or you know, you?

Dad:
I think so. I think more specifically someone else's taste of music says something about them, so I would assume that applies in reverse. but yeah. Because I'm I mean, not just like the music that relaxes you usually. The country, little bit of rock, classic stuff, patriotic stuff so yeah, I guess that does kinda go with me.

Me:
And like, if someone else, I don't know. What are some things that someone's music, someone else's music, might say about them. Like, if you only knew their music taste what are some things you might assume?

Dad:
I think there's like someone who's really into alternative music we might think they're gonna be a little more liberal in their views and things. Or someone that's, like, heavy metal head banging rock 'n' roll is gonna be a wilder type of person. You know what I mean?

Me:
And you said you don't like rap right?

Dad:
I don't like the rap that's what we used to call gangsta rap. Like heavy rap. "Heavy rap," mom says.

Me:
What makes it heavier rap and not something else?

Dad:
The curse words, the violence in it, that type of thing. Like I like rap like the Beastie Boys kind of rap some of this early on; like Eminem or early rap.

Me:
Ok. A fun one: how did you listen to the music you were interested in and how did that change over time?

Dad:
OK So how did I first listen to it? So on the radio or cassette tapes. Is that what you mean like the method

Me:
Yeah

Dad:
Then we had CDs and then we went to like MP3 players and now we don't have any of that and everything is just radio or digital.

Me:
Which one of those which one was your favorite? Did you have a particular older method that you miss?

Dad:
No, I don't think any of them are all that good. I mean, I think it's gotten better. The only problem is now you have to pre-download your stuff, but it's still easier than having to go to a store and buy it I guess. I never was a vinyl record person. I've never had those.

Me:
Did you ever have any experience making music? Singing, playing an instrument, or something?

Dad:
My only time ever singing was in sixth grade. I sang in the Christmas thing, but that's it. Probably before my voice changed or something because now I can't sing.

Me:
I think I think that might be enough. Thank you.