My Love For America Essay

Although this assignment seems, on the surface, to be a fairly simple and straightforward effort, I have struggled somewhat to focus onto one piece of music. Perhaps it is because I am older, have traveled, worked and lived in many different environments and amongst many different people and cultures. The most basic feeling that comes to me, however, is my love for our country, and the sense of belonging and brotherhood from serving in the armed forces.

Growing up in a small town in rural Minnesota, my first memories of music having a connection to my sense of community and my own identity was experienced at a summertime county fair. Mixed into the sights and sounds of the people, animals, food, cut hay, straw and manure, under the hot blazing sun,

One of these television shows was The Dick Cavett Show, and there was an episode that featured Ray Charles singing a breathtaking version of America, The Beautiful. I think this is the song most completely depicts what I believe in and how I feel that music connects to the way I live my life. In true Ray Charles fashion, full of emotion and power, his musical style represents all that is important and righteous about the United States. As a blind, black male artist, Ray Charles not only survived but flourished against all odds in a time that all the societal issues pushed against him. His songs and musical creations crisscrossed, back and forth from soul to mainstream pop to country genres. What seemed to always be a constant in Ray Charles’ music was his soulful, nasally and powerful voice, holding and twisting the notes into emotion-grabbing pulsations, combined with his swanky, bluesy piano playing. Such tremendous talent and amazing musical production is even more remarkable due to his lack of eyesight, and represents the spirit of endeavoring to persevere, no matter the odds, that I try to live my life