I played the air piano while he played the guitar. Some of my earliest memories are of listening to my father, Dave, play music with his friends. I’d pretend to be a part of the band, imagining that the invisible instrument I was banging on made the collective sound of the guitar, bass and drums a little sweeter.
When my father wasn’t playing, I liked to march around our house in a trucker hat with his instruments. Once my younger sister, Valerie, became strong enough to carry a guitar, she became a part of the act. My parents probably found it amusing because there are several pictures of us posing side-by-side with his guitars, sometimes in our underwear.
My father, Dave, (right) singing with his friend Paul. (Photo courtesy of Doug Wolgat)
I could probably remember more about those days with my father if I hadn’t spent years trying to forget them. When he died in 1989 of an abdominal aneurysm at the age of 34, my mother, Vicki, took his pictures off the wall. His instruments were put in a closet. His clothes, in a shed. The songs he had recorded onto cassette tapes were also packed away, but sometimes at night my mother would slip outside and listen to them in her car. If she left the front door open, I could hear the music from our kitchen. Some of the songs were about her, and about us. When they ended, I could hear her crying.
The first few weeks and months after he died were about surviving, and surviving meant trying to move on. The less we could all think of him, the easier it was to get through the day. At 10, I was old enough to understand that my father was never coming back. A therapist I began seeing told me that over time the pain I felt from the loss would gradually subside. And when it did, I would want to remember him. This was harder to grasp.
My father (second from right) with his softball team, the Lost Planet Airmen. His best friend Doug (far left) was one of his teammates. (Photo courtesy of Doug Wolgat)
With time, the pain did begin to fade. And as I grew into a man, my curiosity about my father grew. Did he hold the same convictions and beliefs that I did? What would he have thought about my job as a journalist? Would he have been proud or wished that I had accomplished more?
Using Facebook, I tracked down his best friend and music partner, Doug, who shared with me songs they recorded together, some of which I had never heard before. Doug also had a recording of a conversation I had with my father on my fourth birthday. He asked me how old I was, how much I weighed and whether I loved my little sister. I said “Yes,” and then quickly retracted, “No.” He laughed. The recording was only about eight minutes long, but it did something that I didn’t think was possible: It made him human again.
My father, jamming. (Photo courtesy of Doug Wolgat)
From his music, I believe my father enjoyed the simplicities of country living. Fishing, the sound of a bass fiddle, a good meal with family and whiskey with friends. He spoke often about family, my mom and would sometimes offer lessons on life. In one song, he sang about an old man he met who reminded him of the importance of family and good friends.
The actions that’ll make your past
They’re the only things that’ll last
And be the best friend that you can
When people die, they leave behind possessions – a house, a car, money – things you can touch but bear no resemblance to the person who owned them. My father left behind his music and words, and in them a piece of his soul. Because of that, I can still hear his voice and sing along, imagining I’m a part of his band.
* * *
These are some of the songs my father’s band recorded. He wrote the songs and was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. To listen, just click on the links.
Slightly Reworded 
I had the privilage of playing w/ your dad down in Doug Wolcots basement studio back in the 80’s. I would drive in from Lenawee County and head back in the wee hours of the new morning, humming the songs your dad shared w/ us that night. I always admired his talent and his ability to make you feel like an equal, even though our musical backgrounds were very diverse. We had a blast, some of my best times were had in that studio with Doug and your dad, who’s songs still have a place in my heart. Dave Jodway
Every boy wants to be a rock star or athlete, right?
Very touching and thanks for sharing!
Wow, I heard your father sing and play 🙂
And I’m unable to put it in words what an overwhelming feeling it is to be touched by a person I have never met but brought alive only through your words and his compositions.
As you said, people leave behind all kinds of things – tangible and otherwise in their wake. I want you to know that the legacy that your father has left behind has so much of him still that it moved a person so far placed from all of you.
Thanks for this wonderful post.
Thanks for the very thoughtful comment. I really appreciate it because the post is something that’s very personal to me. I’m just thankful that I can still share his music with other people.
Jimmy
This was amazing! I really like your writing style. So genuine and accessible.
A blog I follow that you might consider checking out is 30 Years of Growing Pains. I know your losses are in many ways different but your need to fill in the gaps on a lost parent seems so much the same. http://30yearsofgrowingpains.wordpress.com/about/
Thanks for the kind words. And thanks for the link to the blog. I’ll definitely check it out!
Jimmy
Beautiful
Thanks for reading!
Jimmy
What a beautiful post. I am certain that your father would be extremely proud of the man that you have become. You grew into a man very young. I can remember many times thinking about how caring and loving and fatherly you were for Billy and Valerie and always helping your mom any way that you could. What a blessing it is for you and your family to have his heart and soul to hold close through his gift of music. I love you guys.
Thanks for the very sweet note Kristen. We also had a lot of help from good friends, people like you and Michael and your parents. We love you guys too.
Hello Jimmy,
This is a powerful, moving post…thank you. I remember our conversations about your father…blessings to you…Charlie
Thanks for reading Charlie.
Your Dad was a kind man… Have wonderful memories of your family coming up to TC in the summer – Thanks for posting this!! Hugs, Debbie
I have a lot of great memories of coming there in the summer too. Thanks for the note. It’s good to hear from you!
Well, I’m crying. I haven’t talked to you in years, but I feel privileged to get to read this. Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks for the kind words Tracy. It’s really nice to hear from you. I hope you and your family are doing well.
I’ll add that he WROTE all of this music too! I can say from personal experience that his pride for you and your sister and brother was mighty strong and would be no different today.
Thanks Doug. I appreciate it!