Music & Me

Hello! My name is Crislyn Childers, I was born and raised in Gaffney, South Carolina. This year makes my fourth year at Converse University; I major in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education. Outside of school, I work at Ingles Markets as a Bookkeeper. I enjoy making time for those I am close with, spending time outside, thrifting, and the arts. I truly do love various forms of the arts, as I find myself practicing them from time to time. My favorite practice is visual arts, such as painting and sculpting. However, in the past I have found myself in dance classes, tinkering with some instruments, or writing down some poetry. 

Since we are here to talk about music, I want to look into the background of the music of my life. I love listening to all kinds of music, whether it be because I like the way the music sounds or I appreciate the story behind the song. I grew up in South Carolina, so I have some "mountain folk" in my family. Growing up, I was at a bluegrass concert with my grandmother, AKA Maw Maw, every single weekend. I was typically the youngest person there, but you bet your bottom dollar I was out there singing and dancing all night with the old folks. I also have a late-grandfather who made all kinds of southern music. With the time we spent with him, we spent it learning to play and make music. He never taught me to read music notes (I never seen him with sheet music), but he did teach me to play by ear.

Now, let's jump into some more specific things:

 

🎵My Current Go-to

Here lately, I find myself listening to many genres of music. However, I have been bringing myself back to one genre, bluegrass. I found one song called "Tennessee," by The Creekers. It is a modern-day bluegrass song that depicts feelings that occur while enduring love for a person and a place. I listen to this song often because I can make relations to the lyrics and I just like it. I met my significant other in Tennessee, as he was recovering damage done by Hurricane Helene. I spent a lot of time driving through the beautiful mountains, and I always wanted nothing more than to go back to him each time I came home. Though he is not working in Tennessee anymore, it still remains a special place in my heart. 

Another song that I want to give a shout-out to is "Wildwood Flower," by Keith Whitley and Ricky Skaggs. This is an old bluegrass song and this version specifically is instrumental. I prefer this version so I can sing the lyrics... Now listen here, I am no singer, but it is fun to learn songs and sing them! This song's lyrics is comparing a wilting, uncared-for flower to misleading and neglectful love.

∞A Personally Meaningful Song

I have a long-distance lover, whom I adore very much, he goes by JR. While he is from Missouri, he also travels for work. Currently, he is traveling Texas assisting with disaster recovery from the various storms and floods that have unfortunately struck the state recently. He loves working and when it comes down to it, he skillfully puts his best foot forward. Outside of work, JR is my sweet and loving man, that carries many interests and talents. I truly admire him in so many ways and I could go on forever.

When him and I first met, we immediately realized that we both share a profound love for music. Him and I always have some tunes playing, especially when we are together (sometimes, at night, we will play music to fall asleep to). While we both really enjoy listening to music, we also use songs to communicate things, like our emotions. We share a lot of songs with one another from time to time. 

The distance in our relationship can be unbearable sometimes, but him and I will beat the distance forever soon! However, we both are humans with emotions and we can get down about certain things sometimes. Like every relationship, him and I found ourselves in a hard spot together. While I was on my break at work one day, he sends me one song and says nothing else. So, sitting in my car, I listen to the song. The song is called "Ends of the Earth," by Ty Myers. As the song is playing, I find myself in tears- it is such a beautiful and meaningful song. The song depicts strong unconditional love and commitment for a relationship, even through difficult or confusing times. JR and I were missing each other so much during the time. 

Now, I find myself coming back to the song. It is one of my favorites. Sometimes, I play it to cry (not always sad tears). Sometimes, I play it and sing my heart out. Moreover, it was not just a song he sent me. It was thoughts and feelings he wanted to communicate and I think it is beautiful he chooses to communicate that way. What may have seemed to be a small gesture, touched me deeply. Our souls recognize each other and I never want to leave his side. JR's kind heart makes the world a better place, and I too, would go to the ends of the Earth for him. 💕

🚫No Connection Here...

Until I graduate college, I have decided to stay at my bookkeeping job at Ingles. I have been a bookkeeper for about five years now. Ingles Markets has their own lovely radio station that plays 24/7 in each store. Unfortunately, that radio station has always played my least favorite song and I have had to listen to it every single time I work, FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS!! This song is called "Cherry Bomb," by The Runaways- a teenage girl band, around ages 16 and 17 at the time the song was being produced. 

The song basically depicts young teenage girls challenging societal norms. Unless I am interpreting the meaning of the song wrong, I find the song to be very promiscuous, especially for some teenage girls to be behind the recording of it. This song popped-off when it was dropped, but I can not find myself resonating with it.