Author Archives: Marie

Happy Birthday, Stephen Pearcy

Happy Birthday to rocker Stephen Pearcy, b. 1959, best known for his lead vocals of the 80s metal band Ratt. He worked with numerous other bands, collaborated with artists from other music genres, and has recorded as a solo artist. … Continue reading

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How to Help With Rhythm

Q: When my daughter practices a popular or folk song, she plays the notes right, but her rhythm is wrong. How can I help her between lessons? A: Sing the melody that she is practicing. Do so while clapping your … Continue reading

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Today in Music History, 1714

Today in music history, 1714, Christoph Willibald Gluck is born in Bavaria, Germany. A trendsetter in operas, Gluck’s work influenced Sacchini, Berlioz, and Wagner among other composers. Enjoy this song from the opera Alceste, in which courtiers celebrate a king’s … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, Debbie Harry

Happy Birthday to rocker and Miami native Debbie Harry, b. 1945. She is best known as the lead vocalist for the group Blondie, which had many radio hits such as “Heart of Glass,” “One Way Or Another,” “The Tide is … Continue reading

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Today in Music History, 1943

Today in music history, 1943, Florence Ballard is born. A founding member of the Motown group The Supremes, she was posthumously inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Enjoy her birthday with a top single in … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, Colin Hay

Happy Birthday to Colin Hay, b. 1953, best known as the lead vocalist of the Australian band Men At Work. Hay was born in Scotland and moved to Australia at age 14 with his family. Celebrate his birthday with Men … Continue reading

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Today in Music History, 1902

Today in music history, 1902: Birthday of Richard Rodgers, an American composer and winner of several awards of the entertainment industry. Among his works are the beloved musicals Carousel (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951), and The … Continue reading

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Today in Music History, 1913

Today marks the one hundredth anniversary of country artist Elton Britt‘s birth. Born in Arkansas, Britt was a singer, songwriter, and radio and television performer. Enjoy this little ditty.

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Happy Birthday, Patty Smyth

Happy Birthday to American singer/songwriter Patty Smyth, who began her career in the 1980s as the lead singer for the band Scandal. In the 1990s, she won a Grammy and an Academy Award for her songwriting efforts. Here, she sings … Continue reading

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Poaching Students

Here is the scenario: Johnny began taking piano lessons at a private school. His teacher was moving and mentioned it in passing to Johnny’s mother. They were happy to learn that the teacher was moving closer to Johnny’s house. “Can we … Continue reading

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