Music has always been a part of our life as we grew up. I can remember being dragged out of bed at the age of 4 the odd time when my Aunts and Uncles would show up just passing through Kamloops. Mom would be on the piano and my uncles would be playing guitars. They all sang and made such lovely harmonies together-it made getting up worth it. Dad had lots of instruments around the house and we were allowed to touch them. 
Mom played piano and guitar while Dad played guitar, mandolin and banjo. I can remember sneaking into Mom and Dad’s room and trying to plink around on one of his banjos. Mom had my sister and I into piano lessons for about 4 years. I can still see Mrs. Francis hitting the music in front of me with her little pointer stick saying in a rather firm voice “Read the music! Read the music!” I tried to but what was the point once you knew how the tune went? I guess I was destined to play by ear. I do appreciate the lessons now though and am thankful I can read music if necessary.
Once i graduated from high school I asked Dad if I could have a guitar as a grad gift. So I picked out this 12 string guitar. It was pretty tough sledding as I moved away immediately after getting out of school. I moved to Victoria with my friend Sue and was left to learn it on my own. I had one piece of music, Stairway to Heaven and it was agony trying to learn it. Next thing you know my guitar become what many know as “Art decor”. It dressed up it’s lonely little corner of my apartment and once in awhile I would try a few chords. I got a job at Bootleggers and wouldn’t you know it but the first manager knew guitar so we played a bit I should say, he played, I watched. Then another manager came by the name of Bruce Jamieson. He and his wife Sarah would invite me over for dinner and while she cooked up a fabulous meal, Bruce would play his guitar and every once in awhile I would stop him and say “Could you teach me that?” And so it began. Forget any conventional C, G and D tunes for around the campfire. Oh no..I was learning fancy fingerpicking styles and alternate tunings. As lovely as that was, I really couldn’t play anything that most people knew. Come to think of it, I couldn’t even sing and play at the same time at that stage.
As well as my parents, one of my greatest musical influences was Arthur Alexander. He was a friend of Mom and Dad’s and we all knew him as Uncle Art. He lived up at Criss Creek in a cabin where he led a fairly solitary life, except for when he would come down to Kamloops and play music somewhere. He was kindhearted and his music was mostly classical, waltzes, polkas that he played all on the banjo. In fact he could play any type of music and had the most nimble graceful hands I have ever had the pleasure to watch play any instrument.
Arthur Alexander
I can guarantee, you have never heard the William Tell Overture like I heard it as a kid. He was a great man and we were all blessed to have known him. We spent many happy hours listening to him and Mom play music. As busy as Mom was with the chores and managing 5 children she always dropped everything when Uncle Art walked through the door and said, “Leigh, let’s play some music”. They were a great team. He passed away some years ago but I remember something he said that I will never forget.
“As a musician, you will always have a friend” He would know that because when he served in the war looking after hurt soldiers, there was a special team in charge of him and his banjo. You can imagine that having music was a luxury for the men and so he and his banjo was scuttled away to safety many times when things got a little intense. Stay tuned for more later……Julie
