02/10/2024
IN HONOR OF MY BIG BRO
My oldest brother Thessalonia "Tony" Heard was the impetus for me being a musician. He is the source of my music knowledge from the Blues, to Early RnB, Motown, Funkadelic, The Tavares, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, James Brown, Donald Byrd and The Blackbyrds, The Commodores, Bootsy's Rubber Band, The Staple Singers, Mass Production, Quincy Jones, The Brothers Johnson, Con Funk Shun, Kool & The Gang, Roy Ayers, The Crusaders, Rick James, Slave... every strand of foundational music in my DNA came through him. To this day, I have a massive vinyl collection that I amassed from him. (Sorry Derek, I'm gonna get those records out your garage). When he started playing the snare drum in the Lincoln Jr. High School stage jazz band, I started playing the snare drum in 5th grade(?) at Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School. All just to be like him. Didn't matter that music was cool... was a universal language.. or a healing force... my big brother did it and I wanted to be like him. And hey... once bitten, forever smitten.
I'm not saying I've had a massively successful music career, but he sparked a lifelong passion in me. I have a happy place thanks to him. I would be remiss to not give him his props and an emotional thank you at his passing for inspiring me to this place of refuge in my life. I'm glad I didn't miss telling him this personally. When I did, he really had no idea that it was because of him that I've been a musician for these last 51 years. No clue that I silently thank him all the time. Just goes to show you never know who's taking inspiration from something you do.
When you wake tomorrow, be sure and tell those around you that YOU LOVE THEM. You never know who may be the next person gone that you didn't a chance to tell I love you, or I'm sorry, or I was wrong, or I forgive you. You never know when you'll be the person others regret not mending fences with.
I just want to say I appreciate the inadvertent gift my brother gave me. Love him to heaven and back.
May he rest in peace.
