I was lucky growing up that my Dad had amazing taste in music. I grew up listening to artists like Dion, Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis, The Beatles, The Stones, CCR, Paul Revere & The Raiders and so many other bands that I love to this day. As I grew up, Dad continued to influence me, introducing me to bands like The Eagles, Bob Seger, and even got me into Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Another big musical influence for me was my cousin Wayne. Wayne was into bands like Foghat, Mott The Hoople, Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult, Head East and so many other cool bands that I would have never heard of if it weren't for him. He even took me to my first arena concert to see Foghat and the Outlaws. Foghat remains one of my all-time favorite bands and that night in Buffalo remains etched in my musical soul. Memories through music.

Growing up, when I stayed at my grandparents, I often raided my Aunt Betty Jean's collection. Listening to the likes of Carole King, Harry Chapin, Joni Mitchell, Joe Jackson, and other great artists, but it was my Uncle John who probably had the vinyl record collection that influenced me the most. He had early Billy Joel (Streetlife Serenader, Piano Man), James Taylor, Max Webster, The Guess Who, Murray McLauchlan, early Bob Seger, Gordon Lightfoot, and the artist I am most thankful he introduced me to was, Big Bad Burton Cummings (borrowed that from the song "Framed"). I believe my very first concert experience (not in an erena), was when we all went to see Burton at Brock University right after he released his first solo album. I was hooked and have been a fan ever since. Thanks, 'Whites'!

Funny story. Whenever I would go over to my grandparents, I would head straight to my grandfather's record player and grab one of Whites' records (as long as Gramps wasn't playing that damn Scottish music). One day, I was lying on the ground in front of the stereo listening to one of Whites' albums, and he walked in with a couple of new albums he just bought. First, he pulled out the brand new Billy Joel album, "The Stranger". I had already become a Billy Joel fan thanks to Whites and couldn't wait to hear the new one. Then he pulled out this album with a a crazy cartoon bat, riding a motorcycle (cool album cover). The name of the band was Meatloaf?? We all laughed at him for buying an album by a band named....Meatloaf? How bad was it going to be?? Well, guess what, Whites knew more than we did. "Bat Out Of Hell" would become an album for the ages...proving once again, that Uncle John knew his music. I still play that album 49 years later!

Uncle Whites was more to me than just a musical influence. He was a teammate. He was a wonderful Uncle who loved to have everyone come over for a swim at his place. He was a great friend to my Mom and Dad and was always the driver on their trips to Huntsville for baseball. Whites was hit hard when Dad died but I am sure they are together again talkin' ball and hockey. Sadly, he was a Bruins fan, but other than that (lol) Uncle John was a wonderful person with a giving heart. I am glad I was able to tell him that I loved him and to thank him for the music he introduced me to before he went on his next journey!

He'd been through a lot the last year, and I do believe he is in a better place, free of pain and looking down on Aunt Kathy and Jason with a smile of gratitude and pride.

Safe travels Whites. Thank you so very much for all you did for us kids growing up. Especially for the music!!

Say hi to Grandpa, Grandma and Pops for me.

"Something in the air was oh, so rare

I'm not really sure what it was

But I know for sure that it's still right there"

-- B. Cummings