Thanks for the Music, Dad
My connection to ABBA is a little unorthodox. It involves a dairy farm, 8-track tapes, and cows that milked better when they were happy.
I'm currently in rehearsals for Mamma Mia with the Northumberland Players, playing at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope Feb 20 to Mar 1. I think there's still a few tickets left here and there at northumberlandplayers.ca.
The music of ABBA dominates the entire storyline of this show. It's kind of uncanny how well the song lyrics contribute to the character development. Folks also just seem to love ABBA. I don't know if it's nostalgia, or maybe just the genuine joy at hearing the familiar tunes and beats.
My own personal connection to ABBA is a little unorthodox, to say the least. It goes back to my childhoom on the farm.
The Soundtrack of the Barn
I grew up on a dairy farm in rural Ontario. My childhood was dominated by the schedule of chores, school, and the mischief that us kids born in the 70s remember so well.
My dad had a radio with speakers out in the cow barn. When he milked the cows, he always swore that they milked better, were calmer and happier when ABBA was playing.
To be clear, we had only a few 8-track tapes, two of which were ABBA's greatest hits, and another was the hits of the 70s, which was also mostly ABBA songs.
In the summer evenings, I can remember hearing the music coming through the barn when walking back up the trail from the fields. We worked hard, but with a soundtrack like that, it kind of felt like fun.
Doesn't make sense, I know. Stacking hay, hauling grain, shoveling manure. These aren't fun tasks. But I don't remember them feeling like work.
Sharing the Stage
I miss my dad, and I miss seeing him on his farm, doing his thing. I was lucky enough to share the stage with him once. He played the General in VOS's 2014 production of White Christmas.
Thanks for the music, dad.