No one in my immediate family played any instruments, but we sang on car trips, we sang Christmas carols, and we occasionally just sang around the house. My Mom was constantly either humming under her breath or whistling, and it used to drive me crazy. Now I do it too.

I forget what prompted this, but I was once having a conversation with my Mom, when she started belting out "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar," "Ballin' the Jack," and a couple of others. I was rather surprised to discover she'd sung for a small local band in the 40's.

I got her interested in the local folk scene to the point where SHE would occasionally take ME to Cafe Lena. She was a big fan of Jackie and Bridie. (Anyone remember them?)