Inspirational Music Stories and Quotes From Around The World

by Vincent James & Joann Pierdomenico

Vincent James has been circulating in the musical world for over 3 decades. He first began as a songwriter penning “Rock & Roll and Wrestling Connection” in the mid-80s that was made into a music video by PRISM Television staring Cyndi Lauper, Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper. James later began managing local bands helping to book and promote hundreds of live shows. Eventually, he elected to go the artist route and released several recordings including two national singles. Highlights included the humorous “Y2K” song that landed a local FOX news spot, a Billboard review and an appearance on the nationally syndicated Jenny Jones Show. A few years later, James’ single “One More Night” aired on over 80 radio stations nationwide, landed a spot on the FMQB chart and launched his transition to Mr. Love Songs. Over the next decade James wrote dozens of custom love songs for weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions through his LoveSongs.com website.

Change came knocking in 2014, when James realized he wasn’t serving his true purpose. After listening to a tele seminar entitled “How Everyone Has a Book Inside Them,” James decided to publish a book along featuring inspirational music stories about how music changed people’s lives. Co-authored with his wife Joann, “88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life” was first published in June 2015 and features stories and anecdotes from both regular and famous musicians. Story contributors include Rick Wakeman (YES), Vanessa Carlton, Simon Kirke (Bad Company/FREE), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Bill Champlin (Chicago), Rob Hyman & Eric Bazilian (The Hooters) along with hit songwriters Seidah Garrett (Michael Jackson), Billy Steinberg (Madonna) and Bobby Hart (The Monkees). The sequel to “88+ Ways Music” was published on New Years Eve 2020 and is entitled “88 MORE Ways Music Can Change Your Life.”

80% of all “88 Ways Music” proceeds from both books are donated to music education and service non-profits.

While publishing and promoting “88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life”, James began to discover his true passion for music education. Along with his wife, they formed the Keep Music Alive organization www.KeepMusicAlive.org and launched the 1st Annual Teach Music Week in March 2015 and the first Annual Kids Music Day in October 2016.

Keep Music Alive officially became a non-profit in October 2017 and now partners with over 1,000 music schools, music stores and other organizations to offer free lessons to new students and special events that benefit and celebrate kids playing music. These events range from student performances, instrument petting zoos, drum & ukulele circles, instrument donation drives and more.

March 15 to March 21, 2021 is Teach Music Week. Over 1,000 music schools, music stores as well as music and movement groups offer a free lessons or class to new students.

Read An Excerpt of The Book

‘88 More Ways Music Can Change Your Life’

Ricky Remembered

I grew up in a small town where receiving a strong music education was not only valued, but essential. The music teachers were given an almost celebrity status. The decision to become a music educator felt obvious to me. In fact, it felt like more like a calling than a choice. Even after moving away, I have stayed in close contact with most of my former music teachers.

Several years ago, our choir’s tour itinerary had us performing an evening concert in my old hometown. Immediately, I reached out to all of my former teachers, to let them know that I would be in town with my choir. The morning after the concert, we had several hours of free time before we would need to depart for the next destination. I filled this time by confirming a performance at a local nursing home.

As expected, the evening concert was emotional and it gave me great pride and joy to introduce my students to my former teachers. These teachers had taken a special interest in me at an early age and, as a result, had empowered me with confidence and direction. During post-concert discussions, I mentioned that we would be singing at the local nursing home the following morning. I was told that Mrs. Tarbell, my junior high choral director, was a resident there. I was also told that I shouldn’t expect a grand homecoming, as she was suffering from the late stages of dementia. I prepared myself and my students for this. 

When we arrived at the nursing home, we were escorted to the performance area and told they would be bringing the residents in within the next 20 minutes. When I entered the room, I discovered she was already there - sitting in her wheelchair, looking just as elegant as she did 45 years ago. She had snow-white hair and a face that encouraged and made you want to perform at your highest level. This was the woman who put me on a stage to sing my first solo. This was the woman who saw great potential in me. It occurred to me that, had it not been for Mrs. Tarbell, I wouldn’t be standing where I was.

I knelt down and took her hand. “Mrs. Tarbell, my name is Richard Nickerson and I was a student of yours right before you retired.”  She barely acknowledged my presence. Instead, she stared blankly off in the distance.  She said nothing, nor did she show any expression. She was completely detached from the moment. It didn’t matter. Even if she didn’t know me, I knew who she was. It saddened me to think that, while she had influenced hundreds of young musicians, her life was now confined to a wheelchair - a prisoner of her own mind. I had been through this several years earlier with my own mother, so I knew not to take anything personally.  

When the concert finally started, there is nothing that could have prepared me for what followed. From the very first note, Mrs. Tarbell came to life. She was smiling, moving and singing along (to a piece that was in Latin)!  I could sense the surprise in my students’ faces and it wasn’t long before tears were falling.  

At one point, Mrs. Tarbell yelled out, “Oh, Ricky, this is wonderful!” I had introduced myself as Richard.  Ricky is what she called me 45 years earlier.

For the next half hour, she was engaged and fully aware. After the performance, I went over to her and we had a discussion that I will never forget. While she was very complimentary of the choir’s performance, it was how she articulated it to me that was so impressive. She talked about tone quality, intonation, repertoire selection, dynamics and other musical elements. It was, as though, I was having a discussion with a colleague. Just 30 minutes earlier, she didn’t know me. I have heard of the power of music on people suffering from various forms of dementia, but to see it unfold in such a dramatic manner, was an experience I will never forget.  

Eventually, I made my way back to the tour bus and saw my students had already boarded. When I entered, I noticed that many of them were talking on their phones. So many, that it made me wonder if everything was okay. I found the choir president and asked what was going on. Through tears, she told me that they were all on the phone with their grandparents.

In my 35 years of teaching, this may have been the most significant concert I have conducted. I don’t remember how the choir sounded. I don’t remember what we sang.  In truth, it doesn’t matter. On this day, we learned first-hand, what the power of music really is.

By Richard Nickerson

https://www.richardnickerson.com

From the Book ‘88 More Ways Music Can Change Your Life’

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