Saturday, January 13, 2024

D.L. Gardner: Making Joyful Noise

Some time around 5th grade the music bug bit me, and I asked my mom and dad for a guitar. We found one at the Army/Navy store, and my dad knew a lady who taught music on the side. As the day of my first lesson approached, I began strumming the strings imagining I’d make music one day like Elvis or the Beatles.

I plucked at the strings and memorized which string made which note. I also fingered the strings at the top of the neck to increase the pitch. Pretty soon I could play notes to some favorite songs. I was on my way!

Ms. Onie Potts was my music teacher. My dad took me to her small house filled with musical instruments. She was an older lady, and inwardly I wondered whether she knew any of the popular songs of the day. We talked a little bit to get to know each other, and I told her I could already play a couple of songs. She asked me to play them for her.

After listening to my playing, she praised me for learning how to play those songs. Then she said, “Let me show you how to tune your guitar….” One had “to tune” a guitar??? Who knew?

That afternoon Ms. Potts showed me how to tune the guitar (Every Boy Goes Dating After Eating), how to make chords with fingers on different strings, and how to play a song with just two chords! I was on my way!

Then, she taught me how to play, “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!” Ms. Potts was a religious woman, and she took her faith seriously. The hymn goes like this: “What can wash…” Change chords. “Away…” Change back to the original chord, “my sins? Nothing but the blood of ….” Change back to the second chord, “Je….” Change back to original chord, “sus.” It’s a little tricky to change chords in the middle of a word, especially when the word is Jesus.

That night I practiced playing that song for an hour or so. Having attended our Baptist church for ten or so years, I already knew all the words of all the stanzas. Through junior high and high school I learned to play many songs mainly for our youth group at church. I also learned how to play Elvis’ song, “Heartbreak Hotel,” but I didn’t play it at youth group.

Life is a lot like learning to play a guitar. Anybody can play a tune on a guitar even if it’s not tuned. When one learns to tune a guitar and make some chords, he or she can move up from playing simple tunes to making music.

While I was in college I went with a friend to a Baptist revival in a very small church. My friend could play the lights out of a piano. The evangelist also sang some songs, but not very well. Let’s just say he was still learning to tune his voice. On our way back to the dorm my friend expressed extreme frustration about the singer’s ruining his piano playing.

I wondered out loud how the best music on earth compared with angel music in heaven. Playing and singing music comes from the heart. God tunes believers’ hearts to make joyful noises.
 
Daniel L. Gardner is a columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Donna Ladd referred to you as a gadfly and she never lied.

Anonymous said...

What does "Every Boy Goes Dating After Eating" mean"?
Was D.L. dating Ms. Potts? Maybe D.L. is Ms. Potts?

Anonymous said...

A gadfly is a person who interferes with the status quo of a society or community by posing novel, potentially upsetting questions, usually directed at authorities. The term is originally associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates in his defense when on trial for his life.

Anonymous said...

As Art Bell mused, Music degenerated into white noise after 1980. No beat, no rhythm, no art.

Anonymous said...

@10:25 AM
Art Bell sure played a lot of Enya and Cusco!

Anonymous said...

DL is William Faulkner when compared to Bill Crawford.


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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