Tag Archive: sports


Way To Go, Joe!

It’s been a while since I’ve highlighted my joys in music. Since I’ve just discovered a great musician who has a very interesting story, I thought I’d point him and his music out today.

I’ve mentioned previously how much I love piano music. There’s something very special about a person and an instrument making gorgeous music together. That’s not to say I don’t like bands or orchestras–I do! But in the last few years, I’ve come to appreciate music that has an “earnestness” to it. By that I mean, it isn’t just elevator music that trundles along with no purpose but to provide a background noise. No, this music has real feeling to it–it can make me swoon or dance or reflect on life in general.

Of course, the musicians I’ve listed previously include Jim Brickman, Jim Chappell and Bryce Miller, among others. But today, thanks to the Internet, I discovered a new favorite–Joe Bongiorno.

Now where I come from, in Northeastern Pennsylvania, a guy with that name would have to run a pizza parlor. And the pizza would taste great, too, by the way. Then, too, to look at a photo of Joe, one might think he resembles a fullback more than a musician, like he ought to tackle the piano instead of play it. But things don’t just end there. (And his story reminds me of my experience with my father as well.)

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I’m not all that big of a sports fan, although I will watch parts of games or read about events when they interest me, and that usually means during a championship. One of my friends at work has referred to me as a “fair-weather fan” because I tend not to watch teams or players when they aren’t doing so well. I just wish I had the time!

One of my problems with sports is that I have had my heart broken too many times by certain teams (who shall remain nameless) over the years. One squad in particular would get to the playoffs, go up three wins to one defeat in a best-of-seven series, then lose the last three games in a row to be eliminated. AUGH! I had to give up following sports as closely as I had before because I just couldn’t take the gaff!

But I’m fascinated by the investment we place in something over which we have absolutely no control! We hang on every play and, as President John F. Kennedy once said, “We are inclined that if we watch a football game or baseball game, we have taken part in it.” Is that ever true! I spent one Redskins game at a friend’s home surrounded by fellow fans, and we never heard a single word the announcer on the television ever said because we were cheering, yelling and talking so loud!

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