In my grandfather’s old wood shop there was an unspoken rule that whomever arrived first in the morning got to control the radio. Now, in 2023 that might not seem like such a big deal but in the early 80’s before air pods and the popularity of portable radios who controlled the company music was a big deal. Because that person’s preference of music would be played till, they physically left the building. And to drown out the noise of a small shop the music was played loud, and if you did not like there was not much you could do about it. It was our little music tradition.

My father was the shop foreman and almost always the first to arrive, which meant we were stuck listening to any variation of popular Christian music. And while I did not mind the genre, it certainly was not my favorite as a young teenager. On the rare days my grandfather arrived first we listened to country, which was not bad but again not my favorite. However, when I open the door and there was classic rock playing, I knew that my uncle had arrived first. That always made me happy.

In that little wood shop while I learned the trade, mostly sweeping floors, I was always the happiest listening to my uncle’s collection of James Taylor, Buffalo Springfield, The Eagles and my personal favorite Simon and Garfunkel. Oh, how those lyrics just always struck a chord in my heart and spoke to me. Even now I smile just thinking about it. And it’s funny to think how much music means to a teenager. So much more than it ever did in any other part of my life. Because sometimes that music just got me through a long and hot tough day.

Now as it would it turn out I would not follow in the foot steps of my father. I would literally break the legacy of poor southern carpenters for a more hopeful future than what that little wood shop could offer me. And as it would turn out that shortly after my grandfather passed away, my uncle would also have a tragic, unexpected end to his life. So, when my father retired, he sold that little wood shop we all worked in and the unspoken rule of who controlled the music would come to an end.

It’s been a little over ten years since my uncle passed away and over twenty years since I work with my family but I recently heard a Simon and Garfunkel song. The lyrics “I would rather be a hammer than a nail” took me right back to that little wood shop. To a time where I would spend hot southern summers sweeping floors and helping in that small building trying to earn a few dollars. When a few dollars could buy me something and all the men in my family that I loved were alive. A time when where I worked there was an unspoken rule of whomever arrived first got to control the radio and everyone listened to the music they enjoyed.

And what I wouldn’t give today to be able to open that door and hear the sound of rock and roll . To sweep that old floor and let the sound of my favorite classic rock carry me through a hot summer southern day .

Now, I ask you dear reader. What is something you have experienced that has brought you back to a family tradition or unspoken rule.