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This has been a pretty fun subject for our family in the last week. Since Jesse and I met, music has always been a subject, a game and just what we do. So, since he’s asking for input and not just (Jess) saying, I thought I’d share some of my influences. Although, it’s too hard to limit to just bands, so I’ve got to include artists.

My family definitely influenced my likes, but I’ve always been a little rebellious and went out on my own limb. My first love was Charlie Rich. I remember arguing with my aunt, cousin and mom about how he was so much better than Elvis, but I was really young (3ish.) Of course, things changed and soon Elvis became an idol. The day he died broke the hearts of my entire family. Our families always had music on, especially through the weekends. Dad was notorious for waking us up with some kind of 50s music. We sure woke up happy and ready to go.

My Uncle, Ron Sieker, always hooked me up with great music. He taught me how to record records to tape and to handle them like a pro. Some favorites from him were; Shaken Stevens, Stray Cats, Queen and Prince.

Some of the goodies from my dad were Donna Summer, Eddie and the Cruizers, ZZ Top, Alabama, The BeeGee’s and Foreigner.

My Mom got me hooked on Samantha Fox and Rod Stewart. My sibling and I always had good collections as well. Here are the ones that I hold on to: Kiss, ACDC, Michael Jackson, Ratt, Journey, Chicago, Blondie, and Jon Bon Jovi. Man, I could just keep going.

This is a little past ten influences, but, a lot of these shaped who I became. Worship music fills up most of the spots in our stereo and is usually at the tip of my tongue, but there’s nothing like getting the older stuff out to get you going.

What’s your top ten, Scott?

Keep on Rocking.

Karrie Utz

[Editor’s response: It starts with my learning to harmonize to the hum of my mom’s vacuum cleaner at the age of 4, listening to my parents sing barbershop, singing hymns in church, then progresses to The Beatles, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Dylan, Beethoven and a lot of folk music few would recognize, Cash, Nelson, Antonio Carlos Jobim and more, who now filter through 366 albums in my iTunes library (and much more that I haven’t converted). Top 10? I’m just not that focused.]

Jess, in response to your article on bands: For your friend, Frank, when he was 2 years old, I would play eight-track tapes or records. Frank would get all excited and say, “Play Go Go, Mama, Play Go Go.” Johnny Be Good, by Chuck Berry.

Bonnice Sieker