It's Sunday evening once again! "Turn on the radio!" someone shouted as the clock struck seven. Few seconds later, a song played on very high volume begun -- "We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks. I really need you tonight, forever's gonna start tonight, forever's gonna start tonight".
No. It wasn't my favorite local singer or a chorale singing. Definitely not a disc jockey in a radio station. Nobody could probably guess it. But it was the first contestant of the most awaited on-air amateur singing competition in town.
Tak...tak...Mom came dashing into the room in rubber sandals, hoping not to miss a single contestant singing. She was definitely keen on hearing all songs that, moments later, we experienced being swallowed up in an indescribable aroma of a burning dish she was preparing for supper.
Music-lovers in my town, far from the city's attractions and denied from all enticing music lounges and alluring karaoke bars, prefer to spend Sunday evenings listening to radio singing contests ad libitum. Unlike in the city where one could enjoy big concerts from local stars, people in places beyond city limits prefer to stay indoors and stay up close to their radio sets. This is their idea of fun.
Town folks could tune in to any of the three stations having the singing challenge at almost the same time. If a stranger would happen to pass by my own on Sunday nights, he'd probably be delighted to hear a variety of do-re-mis and the unexpected half notes blaring from every living room windows.
Not only that. Aside from making the stranger feel so much in love when Taylor Dayne says "I'll Always Love You" to the "Lady in Red" of Chris DeBurgh, "Rio" of Duran Duran, "Veronica" of Elvis Costello, Laura Branigan's "Gloria" and Toto's "Rosanna", he would also be taken into the magical height of "Wishing Well", "Ghostbusters" and "Abracadabra" and to places like "Africa", "Wild Wild West", "Desert Moon" and to as far as "Under the Milky Way".
The 80's music was my footing. I am certain of that. I grew up in a family of music lovers, learned my first song in 1981 and sang in public in 1984 when I was about 9 years old. Mom was the professional singer. She's got the voice that would somehow cause a light bulb to explode and house lizard to slip from its stronghold. For the record, she had sent many music enthusiasts packing during her teens as her high vocal chords ring for thousands of radio listeners. With her voice as an asset, she became an undefeated champion for twelve weeks and since then been identified as the songbird of the town.
It's hereditary. My older brother started singing on platforms at six. He did so well with "Cool Change" he impressed our town folks. Years after, he became a member of the band.
My younger sister faced a roaring crowd in her first grade. She sang the piece so well that she got a nice grade from her adviser.
Among the siblings, our youngest Jeffrey, is the R and B prince. He has the lion’s share of mom's vocal dexterity. Eventually he succeeded her to the throne. At the age of 10, he conquered the airwaves by becoming a champion for eight straight weeks. In no time, his little figure could be seen all over town and other municipalities. His extraordinary talent brought him instant TV stardom.
"Open Arms" opened the doors to my first center stage experience. If it wasn't for Mom, I would have not dared to stand there with lips as dry as the Sahara and palms as moist as a teething baby's chin, among schoolmates and parents. The first few lines seemed to have no end. Nevertheless, determination made me finished the song and lived up to the crowd’s expectations for Mrs. Salas' son.
Training was hard when I was young. I had to try the strategy of submerging myself neck-deep in the sea on early mornings and sing at the top of my lungs. I had to bear the dawn's coldness and give up the early morning dreams in bed.
Every dog has its day. That idea made me strong enough to hone my singing talent even more. Many years after, I became a member of a chorale and sang as guest in many university events.
At home, we have lots of cassette tapes – name an 80's song, we probably have it.
I love music. I am just glad music loves me too.
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