My Dad Part 3 "Leader of the Band"

As I continue to write about dad, I have to say something about music. Tonight the band I play in (Showdown) had practice. We are getting ready for our patriotic show the first Saturday of July. It was one of dad's favorites. He especially loved Merle Haggard's "Fightin' Side of Me" and a song called "Letters From Home." We practiced both of those songs tonight and a flood of memories came to me.

I remember as a boy growing up at home listening to dad learn songs for his band. They were called, "Richard Davis and the Country Classics." They played in our local area at places that would be considered as "family friendly" venues. They even won some area competitions and produced a record in one of the local studios.

Dad was the leader of the band, played rhythm guitar, and was the lead singer. He could really sing well. Who would have ever thought that I would be playing in a band and doing some of the same stuff he did back then.

I love the song "Leader of the Band" by Dan Fogelberg. The chorus of the song says, "The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old, but his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul. My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man. I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band." I kind of feel that way about myself. I don't think I could ever be the man he was in so many ways. I can only make a poor attempt.

Don't misunderstand, my dad was not perfect by any stretch. He was a real person with real hang-ups and downfalls like the rest of us. I am just proud to have been a part of his life and am certainly proud to be a lover of music like he was.

Thanks dad for giving me the gift of music and for all the times you encouraged me to use the talents God has given me.