Music Interview with My Mom

Music Interview with my Mom (Mary Pettus)

For this blog I interviewed my mom who was born in the early 70’s. I wanted to interview her because I have heard many stories of concerts in her past and we have a lot of the same music taste currently. I learned a ton about my mom’s upbringing with her music and music background.

It was very enlightening to hear what my mom grew up listening to and how her music inspiration has changed over time. Here is the transcript of me interviewing my mom. I was home with her when I did this so I got to see her reaction in person. We did the interview in the car, which is ironic considering that is where my mom has listened to most of her music and learned a lot from being in a car.

What genre of music did you grow up listening to? Mom: I mainly listened to rock and roll and R&B music. When I was really young I listened to Queen and Stixx and some Journey. This was because of your Uncle Bill (who is older than her.) As I got older like middle school/high school-aged I listened to more of Michael Jackson, Prince, and I was a huge Deaf Leopard fan.  

Me: I had no idea you liked Deaf Leopard!

Mom: Oh yeah I was a huge fan.

How has your music taste changed over time? Mom: I am a huge country fan now, that is all I really listen to because the genre of country is a cleaner listen to current rock and pop music.

Who are your favorite artists today? Mom: I love Thomas Rhett mostly because of his background and how he raises his children but also the stories he tells within his songs. I also like Luke Combs because of his style and voice.

What was the first concert you went to? Mom: My first concert was Rat and Bon Jovi opened up for them. I only knew one song by Rat which was “Round and Round.” I really should not have been at that concert considering I was only 14 at the time. I did not tell your grandparents about that one.

Me: I’m jealous you got to see Bon Jovi live and also you were a little wild for doing that.

Both: “laughter”

What was your favorite concert you have been to? Mom: My favorite concert believe it or not was with you when we saw Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley because we were front row and that was an experience I won’t forget. A close second would be the Justin Bieber concert with you and your sister because we were so close to him and I knew how much you guys loved that.

Me: You know you loved being that close to JB too.

Were you involved in any music groups growing up? Mom: I was a part of church choir and chorus throughout elementary and middle school but that is about as far as I went with my singing.

Did you play any instruments? Mom: I did not play any instruments growing up and still have not learned but if I could pick one to learn I would love to play the piano.

How did you listen to music growing up? Mom: I listened to tapes and the radio…and oh I cannot forget about my JamBox.

Did your parents influence your music taste? Mom: No, they listened to what I like to call “la-di-da” music.

Me: What is that?

Mom: It’s music without words. Momma listened to a woman named Julie Andrews…I wasn’t a huge fan.

Did you have any special songs at your wedding? Mom: My mom helped me pick out special music for our wedding based on our favorite songs that we shared. We picked out “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which is what I walked down the aisle to.

What do you think about music today? Mom: Rock and Roll and R&B have taken a turn so I turned to country music because it is a lot cleaner like modern music back in the day if that makes sense.”

Me: Yes, I agree with you today’s music is more vulgar.

If you had to pick a song to describe your life what would it be? Mom: Ummmm well “Happy” is the first song that comes into my head. (Mom starts to sing “Cause I’m happy”) Me: “laughs” Why?

Mom: That song just makes me happy and I want to spread that.

What does music mean to you? Mom: Music takes me to another place. My emotions really get into the music. I love to have it on in the car to work it changes my whole mood!

Dierks Bentley Concert August 2012