I couldn't exactly tell you how far back or from whom the musicality stems, but I can tell you with confidence that my grandfather had some natural genius. He built many instruments with his own two hands... banjos, fiddles, guitars... and with those same two hands taught himself how to play any instrument within reach. Folk music was more his jam than the pop of my childhood, and I can remember the country/folk/bluegrass tunes spinning off the record player, filling the house with glorious sound, and mingling with the smells of his always delicious cooking.

Mom inherited some of those genes. Not only is she a good cook, but she can sing and she taught herself the guitar as a teenager. Her record player would blast Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Billy Joel, Elton John, The Beatles, and so much more that gave me understanding and respect for all sorts of music. I probably didn't appreciate that influence much as a child, but as I got into my teen years and definitely into my adult years, I am thankful for the exposure. I have impressed many an older colleague with my knowledge of the likes of Joe Cocker and Bonnie Raitt.

I appreciate all the musical inspiration you gave us, Mom, but could you have not spared a couple of those genes? At least enough to offset the tone-deafness Dad handed down?