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Julie's World

Music is Magic!

12/10/2019

74 Comments

 
PictureMy pa, presenting the family fiddle to Teresa Robinson at the South Hero Bicentennial Museum in June of 2019.
​By Julie Gagnon Prior
“When things get overwhelming, I find listening to music energizes, relaxes and helps me put things back in perspective.”  Lynne Carver, South Hero, October, 2019.
Before we get started, take a look at the photo below.  It was taken June 2019, within the walls of the South Hero Bicentennial Museum. In it, my Dad is presenting a fiddle to Teresa Robinson.  
Years ago, the fiddle belonged to my great, great grampa, Joe LaRose.  Joe owned a blacksmith shop just a couple doors up from the museum.  After he died, the fiddle was passed down to his daughter Laura’s son, my Grampa Joseph A. Gagnon. The wish that went with the fiddle was that it would continue to be passed through the upcoming generations to the family musician who showed the most interest in playing the instrument. Before my Grampa passed, he handed the fiddle down to my pa, Joseph B. Gagnon.  Unfortunately, none of the children or grandchildren in my family play the instrument.  Dad thought it right to return the fiddle to the town where it first came from so many years ago.  
As a side note, on the same day of the instrument gift, a cousin also donated a fully intact, gorgeous quilt that was made by Joe Larose’s wife, Linda Mae (Savage) LaRose.
On another side note, in case some of you are wondering, “What is the difference between a fiddle and a violin?”  Well, the real answer is that you don’t spill beer on a violin, as stated by my Dad).
Music, to me, is the truest form of magic that exists.  It has the ability to take one into flight, escaping high above a collapsing darkness shrouding us where we stand.  It can also heal us through validation, support and hope, whether it be the journey of the instrumentals or the path of the lyrics. 
It may sound like I am very knowledgeable about music.  Ironically, out of about four generations, on my Father’s side, I am one of the least talented in any musical skill or intelligence.  I am, however, an expert of feeling and enjoying the power and beauty that it conveys.
Since I was born, music has been one of the glues within our family, and I have been and continue to be surrounded by exceptionally talented artists.
My pa started picking and grinning when he was eleven years old.  His father heard him plunking on a plastic ukulele and decided to buy him a guitar.  Dad took off from there, from swapping skills learned with Bobby Lavigne to playing with Bonnie Raitt at her sound man’s house, which happened to be two houses away from where we lived in Jericho.
Jam sessions were almost every week at our house.  One of my favorite memories is going to bed and lying there listening to the magic flowing from the many musicians loving life in the living room.
Coming from a family of eight, the musical talent within our house was amazing!  Dad played any stringed instrument; Mom, Kathy and the twins sang, and the twins played piano; Bob followed in Pa’s footprints with the insane guitar picking; Joe learned to play the drums; and I…well, let’s just say that I had much more success with a soccer ball then anything musical.
Holidays and family get-togethers always ended in a jam session.  My grampa always played the harmonica. Damn do I miss him and his harmonica.
The talent continues to run through the blood of the next generation of Gagnons!  My kids, niece and nephews are all extremely talented – almost weird-like talented.  But, let it be known that I am still better than any of them with a soccer ball.
Personally, I believe that there are two major contributors to the quality of musicians within my family.  One of course is natural ability, and hard work.  The second, I believe is a result of acceptance.  
My parents were quite strict and they didn’t have much money.  However, music was never restricted due to genre, sound or lyrics.  Because of this, our home was filled with sounds from Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, The Commodores, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, Joe Wise, CCR, The Beatles, Abba and more.  And because of this, all of us kids were exposed to the genres and artists enjoyed by our siblings or parents, ultimately teaching us so much more then we would have learned in a restricted household.
Despite the financial aspect, my folks had three stereos, all with headphones, spread throughout the house.  This way, all six kids could take turns listening to our preferred music while working on homework.
Around the same time that I asked Lynn Carver for a quote about music, I also asked another friend, Sue Straight.  Her response was a hand-written card and some pages that she pulled out of a Reader’s Digest from June of 2018.  Among her personal message about the meaning of music, Sue wrote, “It’s been my therapy for 13 years.”
How powerful is just that one statement?
Now it’s with a heavy, loving sigh that I share my most recent “music” experience with you, which happened just this morning.  Staying at my folks’ house for a few days, I’m quite ill and they are my proxies, I was able to sit up on the couch this morning and write. As my Pa sat in the chair next to me and we were drinking coffee, I asked him to verify some of the info that I wanted to include in the piece.  While we were talking, the phone rang.  It was Dolly.  Dolly is my Dad’s friend Forest’s wife.  Turns out she was calling him to discuss Pa visiting her husband at a nursing home today.  When Dad got off the phone, I asked him if he thought Forest who has Alzheimer’s, would recognize him.  Dad replied that Dolly thought he would and with that he got out of his chair to get ready to leave.
I opened my laptop and started to write this piece.  Having not read the Reader’s Digest pages yet, I took them in my hand.  The title is “13 Incredible Ways Music Benefits You.”  
Something in my head made me want to read the 13th way first.  Flipping to the last page, I read it and then yelled out to see if my Pa was still here.  He was!
I read to him the 13th way…
“Maybe you’ve heard about Alzheimer’s patients coming alive when they hear a song from their past.  Studies show that music helps them retrieve memories, communicate more effectively, and remember who they are.”
See, the reason that my Pa and Forest are such good friends is that they have been making music together for well over 50 years…Forest played Fiddle.
Already planning to bring his guitar with him to the nursing home, I am sure that hearing those words touched Dad’s heart.
Music is magic.  A magic that started my Dad’s friendship with Forest and a magic that is going to help them both on their journey today.

74 Comments
Annie link
9/7/2021 08:39:39 pm

I bet you make babies smile.

Reply
Anna link
9/7/2021 11:22:20 pm

You have impeccable manners.

Reply
Anjo link
9/8/2021 04:46:41 am

I like your style.

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Andy link
9/8/2021 08:32:43 pm

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Andrew link
9/8/2021 11:01:20 pm

I appreciate you.

Reply
Adan link
9/9/2021 01:52:49 am

You are the most perfect you there is.

Reply
Adam link
9/9/2021 09:04:44 pm

Our system of inside jokes is so advanced that only you and I get it.

Reply
Adrian link
9/10/2021 12:04:19 am

You’re strong.

Reply
AD link
9/10/2021 02:26:20 am

Your perspective is refreshing.

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Waldo link
9/10/2021 09:03:38 pm

You’re an awesome friend

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Wally link
9/10/2021 11:40:25 pm

You light up the room.

Reply
Wawa link
9/11/2021 02:05:46 am

You deserve a hug right now.

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Randy link
9/12/2021 09:11:04 pm

You should be proud of yourself.

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Ramon link
9/12/2021 11:42:51 pm

You’re more helpful than you realize.

Reply
Ratan link
9/13/2021 02:22:34 am

You have a great sense of humor.

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Rambo link
9/13/2021 08:01:51 pm

You’ve got all the right moves!

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Rainbow link
9/13/2021 10:42:03 pm

Is that your picture next to “charming” in the dictionary?

Reply
Rain link
9/14/2021 01:19:33 am

Your kindness is a balm to all who encounter it.

Reply
Etan link
9/14/2021 08:11:35 pm

You’re all that and a super-size bag of chips.

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Etot link
9/14/2021 10:31:41 pm

On a scale from 1 to 10, you’re an 11.

Reply
Ethel link
9/15/2021 12:52:00 am

You are braver than you know.

Reply
Detroit link
9/15/2021 09:06:41 pm

You’re even more beautiful on the inside than you are on the outside.

Reply
Demunyo link
9/16/2021 03:00:11 am

Aside from food. You’re my favorite.

Reply
Sun link
9/16/2021 07:32:51 pm

You’re even more beautiful on the inside than you are on the outside.

Reply
Seen link
9/16/2021 09:39:16 pm

You have the courage of your convictions.

Reply
Sean link
9/17/2021 12:20:59 am

Aside from food. You’re my favorite.

Reply
Anne link
9/17/2021 05:30:32 pm

If cartoon bluebirds were real, a bunch of them would be sitting on your shoulders singing right now.

Reply
Ampatuan link
9/17/2021 07:54:09 pm

You are making a difference.

Reply
Ampaw link
9/17/2021 09:56:09 pm

You’re like sunshine on a rainy day.

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Aguy link
9/19/2021 08:09:16 pm

If cartoon bluebirds were real, a bunch of them would be sitting on your shoulders singing right now.

Reply
Agay link
9/19/2021 11:55:58 pm

You are making a difference.

Reply
Araguy link
9/20/2021 03:43:12 am

You’re like sunshine on a rainy day.

Reply
Wanto link
9/20/2021 08:22:28 pm

You bring out the best in other people.

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Wantwo link
9/21/2021 12:00:12 am

Your ability to recall random factoids at just the right time is impressive.

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Wawawa link
9/21/2021 03:04:30 am

You’re a great listener.

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Wanwan link
9/21/2021 08:32:41 pm

How is it that you always look great, even in sweatpants?

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Wendy link
9/21/2021 10:21:39 pm

Everything would be better if more people were like you!

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Wewet link
9/22/2021 12:45:43 am

I bet you sweat glitter.

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Wency link
9/22/2021 08:58:26 pm

You were cool way before hipsters were cool.

Reply
Wendy link
9/22/2021 11:13:43 pm

That color is perfect on you.

Reply
West link
9/23/2021 01:45:40 am

Hanging out with you is always a blast.

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Wesley link
9/23/2021 09:41:35 pm

You always know and say exactly what I need to hear when I need to hear it.

Reply
Wells link
9/24/2021 12:00:37 am

You smell really good.

Reply
Western link
9/24/2021 02:53:41 am

You may dance like no one’s watching, but everyone’s watching because you’re an amazing dancer!

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Cecille link
9/24/2021 08:30:14 pm

Being around you makes everything better!

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Cecilion link
9/24/2021 10:40:19 pm

When you say, “I meant to do that,” I totally believe you.

Reply
Cecilia link
9/25/2021 02:21:58 am

When you’re not afraid to be yourself is when you’re most incredible.

Reply
Java Man link
9/26/2021 09:07:41 pm

Colors seem brighter when you’re around.

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Primate link
9/27/2021 12:21:45 am

You’re more fun than a ball pit filled with candy.

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Gori link
9/27/2021 03:12:52 am

And seriously, what could be more fun than that?

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Adji link
9/27/2021 08:01:43 pm

That thing you don’t like about yourself is what makes you so interesting.

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Andy G link
9/27/2021 09:45:57 pm

You’re wonderful and awesome.

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Atoy Co link
9/28/2021 01:12:56 am

Everyday is just BLAH when I don’t see you for real.

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Susan link
9/28/2021 05:27:29 pm

Jokes are funnier when you tell.

Reply
Shella link
9/28/2021 07:19:31 pm

You’re better than a triple-scoop ice cream cone. With sprinkles.

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Sinio link
9/28/2021 09:20:01 pm

Your bellybutton is kind of adorable.

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Anton link
9/29/2021 09:26:55 pm

Your hair looks stunning.

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Angelina link
9/29/2021 11:34:25 pm

You’re one of a kind!

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Angel link
9/30/2021 02:46:34 am

You’re inspiring.

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Sun link
9/30/2021 09:30:36 pm

If you were a box of crayons, you’d be the giant name-brand one with the built-in sharpener.

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Suman link
10/1/2021 12:22:09 am

You should be thanked more often.

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Shawe link
10/1/2021 02:30:32 am

Our community is better because you’re in it.

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Shanks link
10/1/2021 08:36:16 pm

Someone is getting through something hard right now because you’ve got their back.

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Shein link
10/1/2021 10:33:53 pm

You always know how to find that silver lining.

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Shaun link
10/2/2021 01:08:46 am

You have the best ideas.

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Sean link
10/3/2021 07:54:47 pm

You’re a candle in the darkness.

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Samael link
10/3/2021 09:49:37 pm

Being around you is like being on a happy little vacation.

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Sam link
10/4/2021 01:10:49 am

You’re a great example to others.

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Shasha link
10/4/2021 05:26:30 pm

You always know just what to say.

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Sese link
10/4/2021 07:00:26 pm

You’re always learning new things and trying to better yourself, which is awesome.

Reply
Sad link
10/4/2021 10:29:43 pm

If someone based an Internet meme on you, it would have impeccable grammar.

Reply
Adan link
10/5/2021 08:38:39 pm

You could survive a Zombie apocalypse.

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Art link
10/5/2021 10:20:05 pm

You’re more fun than bubble wrap.

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Eva link
10/5/2021 11:46:59 pm

When you make a mistake you fix it.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Julie Gagnon Prior

    Julie Gagnon Prior resides in Grand Isle with her partner Carl and their 5 dogs. Prior has been battling Lyme Disease for several years, which she
    contact by a tick bite on Nov. 1, 2008. Despite her removal of the engorged tick from her neck, doctors did not treat Julie as 
    she did not develop the “bullseye rash” that is often associated with Lyme Disease identification.

    She has recently published the “Vermont Pin-Up Girl” calendar in an effort to raise funds for Vermont Lyme, www.vtlyme.org  You can purchase the calendar at many local businesses and online by emailing [email protected]
    or view the calendar online on facebook, @Vermont Pinup Girl Calendar.
    The Islander welcomes Julie to our team and will be publishing “Julie’s World” periodically to share her unique perspective in the world we all share.

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