“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him”
Psalm 103:13
Daddy had been saving for months. He walked many miles along the streets of our hometown delivering mail so that he could make that big purchase…a RCA Victor console stereo. To a six year old, that beautiful mohagony cabinet that played music was magical! When that delivery arrived from Ross-Grambling Furniture, we all gathered around and admired the lovely wood cabinet that added character to the 1960’s decor of our little house! Not only was it a nice furniture addition, but the beautiful sounds that came from its speakers filled the entire house! 
The music playing was my Daddy’s music-the music of his generation…”back when music was music” as he often says.
“Gonna take a sentimental journey, gonna set my heart at ease
Gonna make a sentimental journey, to renew old memories”
Bud Green
The old 78 rpm’s spinning on the turntable were his favorite Big Bands such as Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Glenn Miller!
The male singers were crooners like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Perry Como!
The ones that I identified with were the rich and pure vocals of female singers like Jo Stafford and Rosemary Clooney. 
Realizing very quickly how much I loved music, Daddy gave me money and I bought my first 45 rpm record…Travelin’ Man by Ricky Nelson (my first singer crush)! It is funny that I have such vivid memories from so long ago! 
The gift of music has a way of spanning time and generations! A few years ago, during what turned out to be one of the hardest years for our family, this gift of music gave us a memory of a lifetime! Daddy, Butch and I went over to the Fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta to hear one of our favorites, Johnny Mathis perform. His performance with a full orchestra and all of his standards gave us such a beautiful night of music and a memory we will always treasure!
On one occasion, our city hosted The Glenn Miller Band and boy, was it a sight! People of all ages gathered together for a night of dancing and good music! We sat in the balcony, and I loved watching my Daddy take in the night! Again, memories that I will never forget! I remember so many details of that evening…down to the food that I packed for our picnic! 
Oh, the joy that music has and continues to bring to my life! At a small 80th birthday party for Daddy, I tearfully sang one of our favorite songs, “You Belong To Me”, recorded by Jo Stafford! The love of music runs deep in my family, and to think…it all started with a stereo. Today, the sounds from the RCA Victor console stereo have been replaced by the 40’s station on his Sirius/XM Radio. The subscription I gave him many years ago keeps “his music” filling his days!
All of these years have passed, and music is still as magical as it was when I was a little girl. The sound of Daddy’s music is what awakened a desire in me to play and sing-one that was cultivated by my parents with piano and voice lessons for many years. Looking back, I know that they sacrificed to provide those for me. And another thing I know: my love for music was not coincidental, but God-ordained. Music introduced me to the love of my life…my all-time favorite singer! And each Sunday, as we see our son leading us in worship at our church, we are reminded that the music continues. What began so long ago when my Daddy was just a little boy listening to music on the radio is still alive in our family!
May the gift of music always be a sweet, sweet sound in our Father’s ear.
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Aww loved this post! Thanks for sharing! My family also had the console record player. I would listen to my 45’s over and over. Mine were the Supremes! Great memories.
Karen, thank you for sharing your memories! Music has a way of stirring our memories of events, time, places, and most importantly those we love! Blessings!
Your post brought back many happy memories of my dad and the love for music that we shared. He played the clarinet and I played the violin but we both played the piano and attended many classical music concerts together. As he used to say, “A world without music would B-flat.” Thank you so much for sharing!
Beautiful, sweet tribute to your Daddy! I remember my Mom playing all those old songs too. We had a console record player that also had a radio.
Jeanie, our console didn’t have the radio. Thank you for sharing! Have a lovely Thursday!
Michelle, thank you for sharing your beautiful memories of your musical legacy! Wishing you joy-filled Thursday!
What a beautiful post – brought back so many memories of my own ( all standing around the colored t.v. with big beaming faces back in the 60’s !!! )
Thanks so much for sharing – I just loved this!
xxx
Suzan, thank you for sharing your memories around the color TV! I can remember that, also! Have a lovely weekend!
Pam, I too grew up with a console stereo which I purchased myself when I was 15 years old, the front was half octagon shaped was actually a beautiful piece of furniture and it still worked perfectly when I gave it away 10 years ago. And your Dad …not a sweeter man to be found..you’re blessed to call him Dad… the rest of us, just blessed to know him!
Joann, I so love to look back on sweet memories! Yes, Daddy is the best! Love you!
You have the gift of writing also. What a special tribute to your father for Father’s Day. Sentimental Journey is the perfect name for this post.
Bonnie, you are so encouraging! Wishing you and yours a lovely weekend!
Beautiful post Pam and a wonderful tribute to your father. Music is such a special thing, although my son, when he has to be “persuaded” to practice his flute and piano might not agree so wholeheartedly!!
Thank you, Joy! Our son didn’t want to practice, but it paid off! Have a lovely weekend!
Enjoyed reading this so very much. Happy Father’s day to the special men in your life!
Shirley, thanks so much! Wishing you a lovely week!
What a sweet post, this brought back so many memories for me as well, though I am not 80, (yet)`smile~ I enjoy all the music that you mentioned !
Sue, thank you for taking time to comment! I love the music from my Daddy’s era! Blessings, Pam
How lovely! I love, love, love music from this era. So nice to see a little tribute and compilation of it!
Kira, thank you for your sweet comments. I enjoyed talking to my Daddy about these musical memories! Blessings, Pam
Dearest Pam, what a precious and heartfelt post, my friend! I was reminded of my sweet Grandpa as I read your words for he loved his music. Most times when I would visit him he would be sitting on his stool with headphones on recording tapes for his family 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this delightful post with Roses of Inspiration. Have a wonderful week!
Thank you sweet, Stephanie! Blessings and hugs!
What a beautiful post! My mother is 87 and this music was what she grew up listening to and dancing to at dances. Sentimental Journey, String of Pearls, Moonlight Serenade, Pennsylvania 65000, and all of those fabulous big band tunes remind me of my mom. And Rosemary Clooney how I loved her in White Christmas. Thank you so much for reminding us of that amazing era.
Happy 80th to your daddy!
XO Barbara
Barbara, thank you for your sweet, sweet comments. I loved White Christmas and make a point to watch it each December! Truly a wonderful era of music! Have a wonderful 4th! Pam