The Next Generation
The Post-World War II Baby Boomer generation enjoyed the innocent and yet not so innocent years of youth listening to groups such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Now, 50 years later, that style of music is still popular, even loved by teenagers like Colton Sherrill, seen in the photo above.
Colton’s mother, April, has memories as a little girl during the late ’60’s and early ’70’s of going to sleep hearing her two brothers (Colton’s uncles) practice music by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones on their guitars. Now, as a mother, she’s hearing her son play the same songs.
A senior in high school, today, it was while practicing the Beatles’ Rock Band on his Wii during his middle school years that Colton first developed a love for this style of music. Having a desire to play for real, he learned his first chord from his grandfather at thirteen. Later taking lessons from his Uncle Rodney and Uncle Kevin, he was hooked for good. Since then, it’s been practice, practice, practice.
Colton’s Uncle Rodney says, “That practicing paid off because now Colton’s a gifted musician far exceeding expectations. He learns music quickly and is dedicated to writing, playing and sharing his musical talent with others. As an uncle, it makes me proud to have had a small part in his love for music by enhancing the kind of music he already had an affinity for.”
With that passion visible in his room, Colton has Beatles’ posters covering the walls and Beatles’ music lying open on a music stand. He also has a Robert Johnson poster hanging on the wall. Introduced to Johnson when his Uncle Kevin played several legendary compositions including, Cross Road Blues and Love in Vain, Colton now believes, “Without Robert Johnson, we wouldn’t have the music we have today.”
Intrigued, I discovered Robert Johnson changed the face of blues music by singing songs of hardship in a way everyone could understand. Even though his music was written almost a hundred years ago, some of his songs have been recorded by major rock stars, including the Rolling Stones. To learn more about the history of Johnson’s humble beginnings and how even today his music is touching lives, click here for his official website.
There’s no doubt music of the 20th century has a richness and diversity about it that has withstood the test of time. Hopefully, Colton will pass down a love for this style of music to his children and grandchildren, crossing boundaries all the way into the next century. Now that would be “cool.”
To read more about Colton’s musical journey and where it will lead next, check out his story in the Salisbury Post.
Do you know someone whose love of music, like Colton’s, has been passed down from one generation to the next? Leave a comment, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Dicy
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
