Tune In

No, not "turn on, tune in, and drop out." Tune in as in tunes, songs, music. You know, RPMs. Not engines, turntables. A what? Record player. Vinyl. And I'm not talking countertops or floor covering.

One day one of the sons of a woman young enough to be my daughter came home from school. He was very excited about something his teacher showed them. "Mom, you should have seen what the teacher brought. It was a big flat black plastic disk that played songs! She said it's what they used back in the old days."

The mom glared. "That was a record. I used to play them. I am not old."

And now as I approach another turning point in life—60 in a little more than two years--I remember the evolution of the devices we've listened to over our years. We started with 78s, then 45s, and by the time we went to college LPs that had been the product of choice gave way to 8-tracks. Then came cassettes which were replaced by CDs. And now MP3s are yielding their market share to MP4s and MP5s and who knows what's next. Like "K" played by Tommy Lee Jones in Men In Black, we'll soon have to buy the White Album again.

But my reminiscing carried me away to the days of jukeboxes. Drop in a few coins and listen to some tunes. And if you were lucky enough to work at the Streamliner, after closing you could turn up the volume and enjoy great hits including Classical Gas.

So, what was your favorite song from 1969? And what memories are associated with that song? A dance at the prom? Homecoming? Did you and someone special cruise around the lake or hang out at the A&W, hoping to hear the one tune that the two of you called "our song?"

And perhaps what reveals more about us than our preferences today. Who is your favorite artist? Your favorite song? I suppose it's hard to choose. And if you're like me, you mark the passing of time by the music you enjoyed over the years. College, Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon & Garfunkle. The early 70's, John Denver's Sunshine and Rocky Mountain High. Later, Fleetwood Mac, The Doobie Brothers, and of course The Eagles and Hotel California.

In the 80s, Maranatha Music with Phil Keggy, and Don Fransisco's ballads gave voice to my speechless soul. Then Keith Green and later Carmen challenged me. Today, I most enjoy the simple tunes often written by unknowns. Music that the world listens to via YouTube, such as Revelation Song.

Oh, don't think for a minute that I don't still enjoy oldies but goodies, as well as favorites from over the decades. But after almost 28 years, nothing draws me close as much as songs that help this once wayward son carry on. And after I died, that first Sunday back with friends and family I could barely mouth the words, "You are the air I breathe."