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Sunday, July 26, 2015

BOJONS AND MUSIC AND RANDOM MEMORIES

My dad loved music. He owned several albums and I wish I had those to this day. Mario Lanza was one of those performers he admired. He liked him because I think he sang this man's songs:
Caruso was a great opera singer. I often wondered how my dad admired him and enjoyed listening to him while following this fellow:

From opera to country western music. Eddie Arnold sang a song called "Cattle Call" and boy could he yodel in that one!
You know sometime I go off topic in a quirky sort of way! I have wanted to share this Love is...with you and what a more perfect time than now. Always be proud of your roots.

Dad and his lucky lottery check, he won $50 when the Colorado Lottery first came out and he was so happy with that check that I took a picture of him in his favorite navy blue polka dotted shirt. My dad was not a dancer, at least not when I was a young woman.  My mom enjoyed polka dancing and dad was just content to sit back and watch. I love music like he did and I love dancing just like my mom.

Auntie Ang Steblay had the greatest collection of music, especially some great polka music. She had an album that featured a sweet song called "Little Fella". Always enjoyed sharing her music with her. She loved Liberace too. Now that I am older I understand why I like a variety of music, because I had so many wonderful influences on me as a kid.


There was a popularity for polka music. My sister had a friend, Dorothy Skerjanic and her husband John and they belonged to a "Polka Club" and they went dancing with people who belonged to this club. Dorothy could hold her own on the dance floor as well as with people in a conversation. Gosh, a great BoJon memory.
I could not find any photos of the Silver Saddle Dance Club that was popular in Pueblo for many years. It was located on Pueblo Blvd. on the South Side of town  but this google image reminded me of it. It was owned by a lady called Mrs. G and had the largest dance floor I ever danced on. When I was younger John Nemick, a fellow BoJon was the best country western dancer around. All the gals lined up to dance with John, another wonderful BoJon memory. Uncle Louie and Auntie Ang had a neighbor, Matt Novak, he was an older gentleman but Matt could dance. His wife passed away in child birth and Matt was kind of an older bachelor when I was younger. He went dancing at the Silver Sadlde every weekend. It was kind of sad when Mrs. G. passed away away, so did her dance club. Lots of nice memories there.

When our kids were younger we spent many Sunday mornings cooking breakfast and dancing in our living room. Our neighbor Chris, at the time, had lots of folks from Mexico living with his phamily and they would crank up that Mexican music after nine a.m. We were not to be outdone and would crank up a variety of music so the kids could dance with us. That is an excellent memory.
Memories will always remain. Most BoJon's I knew were good dancers or singers and many played the accordian. A gal I went to high school with was raised in an Italian phamily. Her first husband shared her love for the accordian and they played their hearts out together. David Starcer, another BoJon who grew up on Berwind Street was a terrific dancer. He had a unique style and he could jitterbug. It was one dance that always threw me off the dance floor. I even remember my late mother-in-law telling me stories about going out dancing when she was a young gal. I think music and dance are universal and not a lot of people can say they dislike music. Do you have a favorite type of music? Are you a dancer? I wish I had more photo to share. I wish I had a nice BoJon wedding to go to.

I hope you will stop by  Sally's and join the Blue Crew finding lots of great blues to share. I hope you embrace your own heritage and leave a legacy for the future generations to enjoy. Until next time:

11 comments:

DeniseinVA said...

I just had to come over when I saw Mario Lanza in my side bar. My dad was also a fan oh his and he would often sing his songs when he played the piano. Great post!

Lux G. said...

Great music makes you happy and brings back or creates great memories. :)

Denise said...

music truly soothes the soul.

Latane Barton said...

My goodness, I had not thought of Mario Lanza or Eddie Arnold in decades!! Both great singers in their own right. I loved the trip down memory lane with you this morning.

SmilingSally said...

Hi Anne,

Oh yes, I love music, and I used to love dancing! (Those days are long gone as I am handicapped.)

Johnny's Italian family loved the same Italian singers that your dad did. Thanks for sharing.

Happy Blue Monday!

Theresa said...

Memories last forever:) Love that picture with your Dad and his lottery winnings! SWEET memory for sure! Dancing? My Husband and I used to go out every weekend and dance! We haven't done that in a while but I am looking forward to his 50th class reunion and some dancing:) Have a blessed day dear Anne, HUGS!

Intense Guy said...

Some classic records, songs, and performers there!

If you Google Silver Saddle Saloon pueblo you will find some photos.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post.

Denise @ secondtimearoundfinds said...

It sounds like you have some wonderful family memories involving music.
I love music and some songs trigger memories for me.
Have a wonderful week.
Denise

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I remember those Love is pictures. The one I remember most id Love is never having to say sorry.

Edna B said...

Oh my, those were some of my favorite music albums too. My mom sang and danced a bit on stage at a local theatre in her younger days, and my brother and I were always surrounded by music and dancing. I enjoyed the jitterbug, then the rock n roll dances, but my favorite was the ballroom dancing.

Such wonderful photos and memories. You have a super day, hugs, Edna B.