Soothing Sounds

As we baby boomers age, we often find ourselves needing more and more medical tests and procedures. I think you'll find this information from "Times Online" today very interesting:

Soothing sounds
MUSIC does not only soothe the savage breast, it is also the best way to calm people undergoing minor surgery or an invasive test, reports an authoritative study covering more than 1,400 women.
Researchers working for the Cochrane Collaboration scrutinised the results of 11 trials on anxiety in women undergoing a colposcopy, the cervical exam that follows a suspect smear result. They report that three common methods for lowering anxiety: leaflets, counselling and videos had no effect. But playing cool music to women undergoing the test reduced their fear levels significantly.

Some Musical Memories from this Baby Boomer

This plast week I had the pleasure of entertaining one of my former School of Music professors. Prof. Richard Spalding conducted the chorus at the music school for my last coupleof years there and I had not seen him in several years even though he is actually in the same neighborhood. I've been listening to some of the music that we sang in chorus recently and just decided that I'd like to have him and his wife over for lunch. It definitely brought back lots of great memories for me and, as they say, "a good time was had by all." The picture are of Prof. Spalding and myself and also a picture of the ice cream cake I made for our dessert. Now, on to the gym!! (to burn off some of those ice cream calories!)

Healing Music for Memorial Day

Many babyboomers went to Vietnam and the Vietnam War. Far too many never came back, including friends of mine and boyfriends of mine. It makes me very sad to think that the same thing is happening today with all the young men and women going overseas, never to return to their families and friends. Is there anything all that can help? Today, on Memorial Day, we're honoring all the fallen men and women in every war. One thing that will happen during every service will be the playing of some of our best patriotic music. Of course we'll hear "Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies," "My Country Tis of Thee," and "Proud to be an American," among other things. What will this mean for you? Do you find these songs healing, purposeful, and uplifting? I know that the composers who wrote them wanted them to make a difference in your loife and to inspire feelings of patriotism and gratitude. What songs do you want to hear today on Memorial Day? Please let me know.

Click Here to Hear this Music

Has George Bush heard about healing music?

I was listening to the news tonight, somewhat absent-mindedly, when I heard the say something about George Bush conducting an orchestra in Virginia?! I thought my ears had deceived me! George Bush? Conducting an orchestra? But then I did some research and found that it was true...George Bush was attending an event in the Jamestown 400-year anniversary celebration and decided he would like to try his hand and conducting an orchestra. He "slyly" tapped on the conductor's shoulder and indicated that he would like to give it a try. At first she didn't recognize him (Joanne Fallon) but when she realized who was asking to conduct, she turned the baton right over to him! Amazing!

What makes music healing for baby boomers?

Why do baby boomers have healing music that is different from anyone else's healing music? Well, one of the special categories of healing music is the music that an individual "fell in love to" or "courted to." For we baby boomers that's going to be anythings from the early rock and rollers like Elvis or Jimmy Dean to the Beatles, Jimi Hendricks or The Who. When we are in our 80's and 90's, there's a very good chance that we'll want to hear that music and that it will make us feel warm and fuzzy and really good inside. Strange? Not really. It's the music that first gave us a physical rush when we danced to it or kissed our boyfriend or girlfriend to. There's a powerful connection between our feelings, our hormone rushes and the music we're listening to at that moment.

I've already started trying to re-collect some of my favorites now that so much music is being re-issued on CD or MP3. How about you?

Baby Boomers at Carnegie Hall

You may have read in my other blogs about my recent trip to NYC to hear my sister conduct her orchestra at Carnegie Hall! I'm on my home now and thought you might enjoy seeing a few pictures from this fabulous and memorable trip! The concert on Tuesday night was just awesome and I was so proud of my baby sister. She, my other sister who was there, and I, were three babyboomers for whom music was extremely healing. Enjoy the pictures...you'll also see our mother in one of these pictures!

New Presentation for Baby Boomers Delivered Tonight

Tonight I gave a brand-new presentation. It was called "The Power of Music with Babyboomers and we had great time! We listened to lots of oldies from the 50's, 60's, 70's and even a few 80's ad had a contest where the winner got a free book and CD of mine! We also talked about all of the wonderful things that music can do for the mind, body and spirit.

If you're looking for a program or a presenter that knows the babyboomer music and loves it and IS a babyboomer, please give me call! I'd love to com to YOUR town!

Last Night at Riverdance

Well, I promised you last night in my Brain and Music blog that I would let you know how I liked Riverdance. As I expected, I loved it!

The haunting melodies, played on ancient Irish instruments, the fantastic dancing and the audience interaction combine to provide an evening of sheer and total jubilation. This was at least the third time I had seen it, not to mention that I own a videotape of the show. It changes just a little bit each year but it never fails to exhilerate me and make me want to learn more about Celtic and other ancient Irish music. Yes, Cash is an Irish name but it is my married name. Nevertheless, I must have some Irish blood or DNA in me or I don't think I would respond so powerfully to these melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. What about you? Do you like Riverdance?

What oldies do you like best?

What oldies do you like best? There are so many different kinds of oldies for us babyboomers depending on whether you were born closer to 1946 or 1964! Basically, the music that you listened to from ages 13-20 (give or take 2 or 3 years on either side) will be yor best "oldies" music! As we babyboomers age, the marketers are coming out with loads of CD collections of all kinds of "our" music. I'd love to see some DVD's of American Bandstand, wouldn't you? I never missed it! How about you?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all my babyboomer friends. This year, in honor of us, have written a short ebook to teach you how to use music (and the oldies for us!) to add passion and spice to your love life! Click on the link above or click on this one and you'll get a free ebook! Let me know what you think, if you don't mind!

Have a great day tomorrow!

Are you listening more to the Oldies?

Is it my imagination or are they playing more Oldies on TV shows and in movies these days? I hear old Eagles tunes and old Chicago tunes on CSI, ER, Law and Order and all kinds of shows it seems. Of course I love it! When I was actually living in the 60's and 70's, I was almost completely immersed in classical music so I heard this music but never knew the name of the song or the name of the band. It wasn't until the summer of 1970 when I worked at a beautiful outdoor Performing Arts Center that I finally got into the swing of things. I was a huge fan of Cat Stevens, Elton John, Chicago, Three Dog Night, and many, many others. It just seems a little strange that suddenly I'm hearing these songs everywhere I turn! How about you??

Baby Boomers and Music: Inseparably Connected

Baby Boomers, in case you've never heard of us, are folks that were born betweeb 1946 and 1964. My own family of origin happens to have five baby boomers: myself, born in 1948, a sister born in 1950, a brother born in 1952, a sister born in 1955 and a sister born in 1960. We all love music and grew up with radios, hifi's and finally stereo's blaring. Even though we were preacher's kids we loved the popular music of our day. I have fond memories of my sister and me standing on the sidewalk outside our home, holding sticks as pretend microphones and singing "Standing on the Sidewalk, Watching all the Girls Go By."
When I was about six years old I started hearing about Elvis. Now my Daddy was a preacher and in S.C. in the mid-50's, Elvis was definitely not someone my parents wanted me listening to. I remember hearing "Jailhouse Rock" and "Blue Suede Shoes" on the radio at a neighbor's house and feeling scandalized but I wasn't sure why.
I turned 13 in 1961 and vividly remember listening to the Beatles sing "I Wanna Hold Your Hand." I thought their music was wonderful and to my surprise, my parents let me stay home from church one Sunday night to watch the Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan. I was thrilled! I loved all the Beatles music as well as the Motown groups and most of the British invasion groups like Herman's Hermits and the Dave Clark Five. I loved Petula Clarkand Dusty Springfield and probably day-dreamed that one day I might have a group of my own. Instead, in real life, I turned to classical music and practiced scales and Beethoven sonatas for hours a day. Still, while a piano major in college, I fell in love with the music of Elton John and Cat Stevens. I bought a book of Elton's top hits to play on the piano when my professor wasn't around and it brought me wicked good fun!
In 1971 I got married. You can see the wedding picture on my site http://www.babyboomerarticles.com. My husband and I both loved the music of Elton John and soon I discovered Billy Joel, the piano man, and so many others. Every decade for the boomers has had so many memorable hits. Do you remember the first time you heard "Afternoon Delight"? I do and just hearing a couple of bars of any of the above songs takes me instantly to another time and place. Music is magical! Music is mystical! Music is better than a plane ticket for taking you to another time and place when life was simpler and teenagers were in love. Let's always remember this music and it's messages of "Give Peace a Chance," "Breaking Up is Hard to do," "Up, Up and Away!"

Music at the Gerald Ford funeral

I watched the funeral of Gerald Ford yesterday with rapt attention. I remember him well. I was upset when he pardoned Richard Nixon because I didn't think Nixon should "get away with it." Now I understand that it did allow the country to move on and get past all of the scandal that Nixon brought to our country. As always, music brought back lots of memories yesterday. The orchestra played beautifully the Navy Hymn that had played continuously during John Kennedy's funeral. Denice Graves sang "The Lord's Prayer" like an angel, as she did during the service for 9/11 victims. As we baby boomers age, the amount of music associated with momentous events grows and grows. Personally, I'm glad because it helps me to remember things that have shaped my life and my world. How about you?

The Death of James Brown

The "Godfather of Soul" died on Christmas Day and he died in Augusta, Georgia, right across the river from where I went to high school. For me his most famous song was "I Feel Good" and I can't help but get a big smile on my face when I hear that song. that song actually does make me feel good and his sincerity just comes right through. James Brown wrote a lot of songs that mean a lot to many people. I can't say that most of it was my cup of tea but I certainly respect the man as a very creative musician who had many barriers to break down in order to acheive the success he did acheive. Long live James Brown!!

How does music affect us Babyboomers?

We all know that music makes us feel good, right? It brings back happy memories, gives us energy, calms us down and generally feeds our spirits. How does this happen?? Well, there is a process called entrainment, whereby the components of music: rhythm, melody, mood of music, etc., synchronize with your own biorhythms (heartbeat and breathing). Sooo, when you listen to a favorite song from the 50's, 60's or even 70's, your brain and body are flooded with memories, endorphines, dopamine and other "feel-good" chemicals. It's the best way to get a "natural high." Give it a try!

Also, wanted to let you know about a Holiday Sale on my website for those of you who might still have some last-minute shopping to do. I'm offering a free electronic version of any of my products if you buy the hard copy of a CD, tape, or book! It's a deal you can't beat! Also, if you want to purchase a personal consult with me about a problem or diagnosis or just how music can improve your life, http:www.HealingMusicEnterprises.com/NeedLast-minutegifts.htm

Baby Boomers and Christmas Music

If you're on the older side of the Baby Boom, like me, you grew up with the Holiday music of the 1950's. Songs like "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Raindeer" and "All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth." Hearing those songs makes me smile and my brain is flooded with memories which in turn creates and flood of serotonin and endorphins. For a brief period I feel no pain whatsoever and I am transported to happy childhood memories and times. How about you??

It's My Party and I'll Cry if I want to

This past week-end I went home to the little college town in the deep South where I grew up. While taking a walk one evening in my old neighborhood I began thinking of that music that I loved and danced to and went to sleep to every night. I felt a little sad about all the things I didn't know and understand back then and then I thought of the song "It's My Party and I'll Cry if I want to." I remember hearing it for the first time when I was riding home from Jr. High on the city bus. I loved the idea that it was my party and I could cry if I wanted to. The year before, I had danced to and liked the song "Big Girls Don't Cry" so this was the opposite sentiment and I prefered being able to cry if I wanted. Still do!

Baby Boomers divided between 50's faves and 60's faves

Judging by the informal research I have done when I go out to speak, the baby boomers favorite music is pretty easily divided between the early rock and roll of the 50's, like Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Peggy Lee, Brenda Lee, Fats Domino, The Platters and the classic rock of the 60's. You know who they are!! I'd love to know what your favorite baby boomer music is. Research done by music therapists and others has shown that it's the music of our courting years that we really love when we hit our "golden years."

Make sure to know when your favorite music is from your courting years and write it down for later. You'll be glad you did!

Did your teenage music give you unrealistic ideas?

I know that when I was in high school (1963-1966) I loved to listen to "Johnny Angel" "Leader of the Pack" "Cupid" "Soldier Boy" and other such songs that glamorized the "bad boy" and oftentimes the "bad girl." At the same time, the movies I went to were Doris Day and Hayley Mills and Annette Funicello. By the 70's I was listening to the Carpenters and all of the co-dependent messages about not being able to live with "whomever, whatever..."

Sadly, many of the clients I work with have never questioned these premises and as a result they are in miserable relationships and have unrealistic ideas and expectations of themselves and their spouses. One of things I do as a therapist is to look at some of these erroneous and faulty beliefs and re-write them to match their dreams and goals for life.

Interested in doing this? Contact me at chantdoc@healingmusicenterprises.com and set up a consult! Thank you!

Bus Songs from Baby Boomers

Recently I was looking on the internet for sites about baby boomers. I came across a site for all the songs the we sang on school bus trips during the 70's. Below, please find this list. I do remember many of them, do you??

The Ants Go Marching Bear Song Billboard Song Bingo Boom a Chicka The Bus Driver Cannibal King Comet Down By the Bay Everywhere We Go-O Father Abraham Fee-Fi Flea Fuzzy Wuzzy Glory, Glory, Halleluia Harlem Goat Herman (I Was Sittin' On a Fencepost) Hole in the Bottom of the Sea I'd Rather Suck on a Lemon I'm Gonna Eat Some Worms Old Hyram's Goat On Top of Spagetti 100 Bottles of Beer Oooie Gooie Popeye, The Sailor Man Roll Over Rubber Dolly She Sat On a Fencepost Sippin'Cider The Song That Never Ends The Song That Gets On Everybody's Nerves The Tarzan Song There Goes Teacher Titanic Tra La La Boom Di-ay The Tree Song The Wheels On the Bus (Go 'Round and 'Round) This Old Man Yogi Bear

Let me know what YOU remember!