Music & Family

 After reading the assignment, I knew exactly who I wanted to interview. I knew immediately that I wanted to interview my grandmother on my mom’s side. Starting off the conversation with her, I tried to get a backstory of her connection with music. My grandmother, whom we call Bet Bet, loved to have the grandchildren stay at her house for a month or two over the summer. She would throw us parties and have a variety of activities planned. One thing I always loved and remember about her parties is that she would bring out her record player and would put on her vinyl of Elvis Presley. She loved listening to his music, so that’s why I knew she would be perfect to interview. I started off by asking her what her favorite song of his was. “Well, my favorite song of his would be ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ 



because she and my step-grandfather would dance to it, so it keeps his memory close.” After finding out what my grandma’s favorite song was, I wanted to find out what song reminded her of me. “That’s an easy one, I would go with ‘Hound Dog’ or ‘Jailhouse Rock.’ When you and your brother were younger and would come to my house, the two of you would always ask me to play those songs from the vinyl and would make me play them on repeat for an hour.” Listening to my grandma talk about those memories, I could hear the joy it was bringing to her. It put a smile on my face, remembering all the times we would decorate, pop some popcorn, watch a movie, and bake desserts. 



Once I got the memories in my mind, it was a good segue to the next question. I decided to ask her what her favorite memory involving music is. “One of my favorite memories that involves music is more recent. I would say when my son Greg and his wife took me to Graceland. I have always wanted to go, and they surprised me with the trip. I enjoyed walking around Elvis’s home and seeing the area that inspired him.” I enjoyed every bit of listening to my grandma talk about what really got her connected to music. Especially when she was reminiscing about when my cousins and I would be at her house having parties and listening to her old vinyl.

Comments

  1. Nicholette YoungNovember 1, 2025 at 9:27 PM

    Hi Reece! After reading about your Bet Bet, I learned so much about her! I have never met her in person, but even talking to her over the phone she is such a sweet soul. Learning about her music taste and what she grew up on is so interesting and I think your connection with her is so important and special.

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  2. RaineNovember 2, 2025 at 7:21 PM


    My mom and grandma (also on my mom's side) absolutely loved Elvis! my mom to this day has many many elvis records that will soon be mine along with many of her other records. I remember growing up listening to many of his songs!

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