How It Started
When I was about 13 or 14, my parents got me my own stereo (dual cassete, 3-CD tray, AM/FM radio) and I was delighted. I used it constantly, while doing homework, playing games, but especially when winding down to go to bed at night. A young teenager in NYC in the 90s, of course I would be listening to Howard Stern on KROCK or Elvis and Elliot on Z100 right? Nope. Bill Ayres, Sunday nights, on PLJ. And so in the morning? Scott (Shannon) and Todd (Pettengill). Weekends? My parents mostly listened to 106.7 Lite FM or something. So it was a lot of soft rock, 80s stuff, maybe some Goo Goo Dolls. Matchbox 20? Oh no, that was too loud. JayZ, Biggie, Tupac? That hip hop rap nonsense. Keep this in mind as we continue.
Post High School
Finally, I listened to reason and started expanding my musical taste. Linkin Park, still taking heat for their practically meaningless lyrics, became my new mainstay. I tried some Coheed and Cambria, a little Finch, but those were too far from my comfort zone. Hip hop and rap started to creep in, slowly at first, and I was never entirely consumed, but I wouldn't shy away or roll my eyes anymore. Even my dad's love of Rush and Metallica presented something new, plus a healthy dose of Q104.3, which at the time played music from the 70s and early 80s, now playing songs from the 90s "OLDIES" gtfooh.
Post College
Hip hop had a purpose now. What else would you listen to at the clubs? No one is bumping and grinding to Melissa Etheridge or Sarah McLaughlin. This is not done...
Karaoke
This was a major influence on my musical knowledge and taste. People from all walks of life came and sang their favorite songs. I learned about artists long dead, some very up and coming, in a variety of genres I might never have listened to. While karaoke has fallen out of style in the last 5 years, I urge you all to find a bar that does open mic karaoke and attend once or twice. I once performed What's the Difference with Hip Hop Karaoke at Brooklyn Bowl and never felt better.
These Days
Where is my music now? With a son, when I'm in the car...KTU, mostly, with a dose of Pride Radio in there as well. Or whatever is on Amazon Music.