The internet is cool, and the world continues to get smaller.  My  mom (the one who 15 years ago kept insisting that she didn’t NEED a computer!) has been Facebooking, and recently joined a group comprised of students with whom she and my dad worked at Anderson Highland High School back in the 70′s.  Of course these “students” are all now pushing 50, but then again… I’m not exactly four years old anymore either.

Back in the day, under the direction of my father, all these folks got together to make a RECORD!  You know, the vinyl kind.  What resulted is nothing less than the single-most influential recording in the world… of 1970′s High School Choral music coming out of Anderson, Indiana.  Sadly, rather than archiving precious copies of this collector’s item, it appears the kids took to using them as frisbees and the like.  Stupid kids.  I bet they sold all their Star Wars action figures too — wait a minute, that was me…

At any rate, several years back I transferred this fine LP to CD for one of those Christmases when I was too broke to actually BUY a present for my father.  He cringed, then laughed, then listened to it again for the first time in years and I think kinda loved it.  Since then it’s gotten heavy rotation in my own personal music library, and even managed to crack the playlists of some of my friends.  This sonic time capsule is making a comeback in a big way, and a track or three may even be coming soon to a theater near you, so keep your ears open!

In the meantime, take a listen.  And if you’re so inclined, feel free to download the entire record by clicking on the album cover above.  Cringe.  Laugh.  Enjoy.  Whatever you do, just… Don’t Take Away the Music.

Josh – thanks for doing this – it’s just the coolest thing ever!

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. It is very fun to hear. I think I will give it to my wife for Christmas instead of a present. I did not sell my Star Wars action figures.

Thanks

Thanks….I didn’t use mine as a frisbee but I can’t put my hands on it either. I still live in Madison County (Gaither Country) So people think it’s cool that I recorded at Pinebrook. I leave out the part that I was 15. Thanks for the memories!

I still have my copy! Never liked frisbee much! Maybe you can come to the reunion too!? I am downloading it now. Gosh….pushing 50!

Hey, Josh! I’m one of the ones who would remember you as a 4-year old. Not only was Randy our director at HHS, but was also the Minister of Music at my church, North Anderson Church of God for a time. I can still see him leading the congregation in singing with Heather on the Piano, Ernesteen Howell-McDonald on the organ and you somewhere in the Nursery. I’m now one of 50 set you mentioned, but do enjoy the turn down memory lane. I still have my vinyl copy, but it is buried in a box with 90% of my other vinyl in my attic and I’m slowly working my way to it. Thanks for saving some of the time! Great to see you are doing well, and please pass along my greetings to your parents!

Hey Josh,
Wow…. you are doing such great things!! I remember you sitting in our studio…..many years ago! Thanks for doing this recording. Very fun to hear. Would love to catch up with you.

Josh- Thanks for doing this! Sure enjoyed letting my husband and son hear the full version of “O Magnum” that I have sung portions of it to them for years……

Wow, thank you Joshua for doing this. This is so cool. This brings back great memories. I still have an original copy of the album, but wondered if I would ever be able to listen to it again. Please tell your Parents that I said Hello!

Josh, thank you…thank you…thank you!!! I accidentally gave mine away in box of LP’s about 15 yrs. ago and have been kicking myself regularly ever since. I can’t wait to listen to it again. I thought all hope was lost after I emailed the recording studio and the response was, “Sorry, we just don’t have it anymore”. You’ve made one of those “students pushing 50′s” day! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Nice! Really nice songs! I may not be one of the students pushing 50, I am just a kid, but I can assure you that if I do get my hands on this record, I won’t play frisbee with it! It’s more than just worth listening… These songs are really great…

Thank you, Josh! Your dad was one of those teachers that “went above and beyond” to make our high school choir classes something special. You’ve done your good deed for the year by making this available to all of us. Oh, and congratulations on your success in a very competitive profession!

Oh my gosh, Josh. You were knee high when I was with this group – and Mr. Greene was the greatest teacher ever. It simply wasn’t the same after he left. I love hearing these songs, and I still remember my parts! Those were definitely the good ole days, for sure.

Hey – you don’t remember me – I remember you – your mom used to give me piano lessons in good ole’ columbia city.

living in New York now, and some friends from LA, where I lived for twenty years and worked in the film and tv industry as a composer -started talking about their first teacher and well – your mom came up.

made me think – so I googled her, nothing – then I remembered you had some big dreams when you were around 8 – so I googled you and here you are – all grown up, kicking butt and taking names.

Tell your mom I said Hi – I’d still be playing and composing but smashed my hand about 8 years ago – no biggy – now training horses.

you look amazing and great site!

michael