I am a firm believer that certain people have an intimate connection with music that fuels their life. Like a producer in a movie, these “music people” often use songs in good and bad times to enhance the moment. I am always keen to notice this dynamic in people around me. Today was a first, and quite touching. 

In closing the eulogy for his mother, my friend (Lance) asked everyone driving from the funeral to the cemetery to listen to “Alice’s Restaurant” by Arlo Guthrie. He explained that every Thanksgiving his mother (Linda) would time their drive upstate NY to visit family around the airing of the beloved Guthrie song so the family could listen together. These were the days before Spotify and CDs, so listening options were limited to the radio while in the car. Timing was everything.

Lance talked with a smile when sharing stories about growing up listening to country music on the ground-breaking WHN radio station. In the house and car, Linda was always tuned in at 1050 on the AM dial. Although I knew his mom for a long time, I didn’t know she was a music person and was able to pass that love on to her kids. Good for her, and good for them. In fact, all of Linda’s kids talked about her love of music when remembering her today.

Oddly enough and likely a gesture from the man above, the exact song (“Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton) that Lance’s brother referenced in his eulogy played on the radio just after the leaving Higgins Funeral Home in Congers. I had never heard that song before.

One of the great music scenes in a movie was the playing of “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” in The Big Chill during the funeral procession for “Alex”. 

Two ramble notes:

1. “Alex” was played by Kevin Costner. All his scenes were cut from the movie by producer Larry Kasdan.

2. This movie had one of the great soundtracks and introduced a whole generation (like myself) to great Sixties artists.

As a gesture in respect to a friend and a timely treat for Thunderbird Ranch Ramble readers here is an easy link to listen to “Alice’s Restaurant”. Be careful, the song is almost 20 minutes long.

Peace…