Black Music Month: Happy 41st Anniversary to My Parents
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Black Music Month: Happy 41st Anniversary to My Parents

The last week has been heavy, to say the least. My previous entry reflects the current raw feelings and emotions of a lot of people. I have plans to write additional entries about socially conscious music as it relates to the current state of the country. However, in the midst of so much heaviness of the last week, I am happy to focus my attention, even briefly, on a lighter topic…well, two lighter topics: Black Music Month and my parents’ wedding anniversary. Yes, today has been declared #BlackoutTuesday across social media and primarily amongst artists. Even so, June is Black Music Month, and today(June 2nd) is my parents’ 41st wedding anniversary; I’ve been planning this entry for today, and I didn’t want to change that plan. I celebrate Black music on the daily, but I still look forward to this month every year. To kick it off, I am spotlighting my parents’ anniversary.

For their milestone 35th wedding anniversary back in 2014, my siblings and I threw my parents an outdoor celebration at our family home(they got married outside as well, so we thought it was especially fitting). It was such a beautiful gathering, and I look back on it fondly and often. It was a perfect day weather wise: temperatures in the 70s, clear blue skies, low humidity…perfect spring day in North Carolina, and the perfect backdrop for such a wonderful occasion. As a part of the celebration, I created a compilation CD(yes, I was still making CDs in 2014) for each guest that was made up of love and wedding-themed songs. This entry will simply highlight a small few of the songs that were included on that CD.

Happy 41st Anniversary, mama and daddy. Daddy may no longer be here, but I will cherish this date forever, as I wouldn’t be here if not for this union 41 years ago today – June 2, 1979.

https://youtu.be/fIyqglO_nPc
Teddy Pendergrass – “You’re My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration”: This song right here?! Whew! It is one of my absolute favorite songs, period. Regardless of decade, genre, etc…it will always be in a high class for me. I first decided to create the anniversary CD largely because of this song. It is just a timelessly beautiful declaration of love set to music. It was produced by none other than Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff aka Gamble and Huff(LOVE them), legendary producers and purveyors of Philly Soul(that’s an entire post waiting to happen), so no wonder it’s so great! And Teddy killed the vocals, especially the ad libs at the end. I’m always like “yesss Teddy!” during the last minute and a half or so of the song. He was sangin’.
The O’Jays – “Forever Mine”: If you’ve read my introduction, you know that I am an old soul. This song has been a favorite of mine for years. I love the O’Jays in general though; God bless Eddie Levert and Walter Williams. I love their voices so much! At any rate, the lyrics of this song speak for themselves, which is why I made sure I included it on the CD as well. Interestingly, it was actually released in 1979, the same year my parents got married, making it especially fitting. It’s also the second song produced by Gamble and Huff listed here. Love me some Philly soul!
Luther Vandross – “So Amazing”: I know there are several songs by Luther that I could’ve included on that CD, but I decided on this one simply because I felt the lyrics were the best description of my parents’ love for one another, especially these:

It’s so amazing to be loved
I’d follow you to the moon in the sky above

I truly believe that my parents would have followed each other anywhere, including the moon in the sky. So amazing indeed!
Kem – “Share My Life”: This one doesn’t really need an explanation. The title, “Share My Life”, explains itself. That’s exactly what my parents did for almost 37 years together on this side before my father passed away. This song was one of the more “current” songs on the CD; it was definitely mostly old school. That shouldn’t be a surprise. Haha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-XTTqh8wsA
Ledisi – “Anything”: I remember my sister Nikki being adamant about this song being included on the CD. She was loving Ledisi’s The Truth album a lot at the time, and she felt that the lyrics of this song also perfectly described my parents’ relationship. Some of the song’s lyrics are:

Love means
Anyone who tries to curse you
By default they’re cursing me too
(So watch what you say about ’em or there’s gon’ be a problem)
Cause your pain
Is attached to my pain

My parents did not play when it came to each other. Haha. There are several anecdotes I could tell, but in essence, let’s just say that Nikki was right about including this song.
Diana Ross – “The Best Years Of My Life”: Not only was this song on the CD for my parents’ celebration, but it was also the background music for a PowerPoint presentation that my sister created to be shown at the celebration. It was the perfect song for that, and equally appropriate to end this entry with. The 37 years that my parents had together were the best of their lives. ❤

[Note: These are just six of the songs that were featured on that anniversary celebration CD that I created back in 2014.]

A couple of weeks or so ago, I posed a question on my personal Facebook account about which topic I should focus on next: love songs or sampling. Though most of the responses that I received were in favor of sampling, my parents’ wedding anniversary obviously prompted this entry based around love-themed songs. There are plenty more where they came from, so you can count on additional love song entries going forward. Black Music Month is the perfect time to delve into all of these music themes that I adore so much. With that said, I thank you for reading as always and ask that you stick with me on this journey throughout Black Music Month and beyond.

Happy 41st Wedding Anniversary once again to my parents! Continue to rest well, Daddy.

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4 thoughts on “Black Music Month: Happy 41st Anniversary to My Parents”

  1. This was a beautiful tribute to mom & dad for their 41st wedding anniversary. You’re right; when we had their 35th wedding anniversary celebration, it was a beautiful day and it was great to have the family and friends there to celebrate with us. The compilation CD and the presentation were added expressions of love for them on that day. I’m so thankful for God blessing us with these 2 beautiful souls as our parents. Rest in peace, daddy.

  2. Ashley,
    What a beautiful tribute!!! I love it and I know that my darling JC is smiling in heaven. I will never forget that wonderful Saturday afternoon when you all gave your dad and me an anniversary that I will remember forever! Every song that you chose for the CD was an expression of our love and years together. Thank you for the beautiful memories.
    ♡ Mom

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