Staff at WGHS Rock Out with their Unexpected Passion for Music

Photo by Theo Wargo | Getty Images

Music is everywhere. It’s what brings people together, whether it's sharing favorites or laughing over poorly made songs. Music runs in the background as you work, as you sleep, and even in the back of your head.
by Delano Sutherland, Finn Brown, Layla Joy Parson, and Raine Mobley

Music is everywhere. It’s what brings people together, whether it's sharing favorites or laughing over poorly made songs. Music runs in the background as you work, as you sleep, and even in the back of your head.
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Coach Cockerm
Coach Cockerm grew up listening to Michael Jackson, his favoritism growing from the roots of his significantly older siblings, who had always listened to the artist. His music followed Coach through life, making Michael Jackson one of his favorite artists of all time. Although he believes all of Michael Jackson’s songs are amazing in their own ways, "Thriller" earns the crown as the coach's favorite. Nas is another one of Coach Cockerm’s favorites, his number one favorite song of all time being "Ether" by Nas! Although Coach isn’t a fan of concerts—much preferring to listen to his favorite artists in the car—he is aware of what an amazing stage performer Michael Jackson was, and the impact he left on the entertainment industry.


Dr. Reidling
Dr. Reidling's top favorite artists were a difficult choice, but he settled on The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Tyler Childers, and Benjamin Todd. He acknowledges them all to be modern folk-rock artists. Dr. Reidling discovered The Avett Brothers around six years ago while driving in the mountains and immediately fell in love with their style of music. He adores all of the listed bands and loves their music. However, his most listened-to song is “I Wish I Was” by The Avett Brothers, along with another favorite of his, “Ain't No Man” from the same band. He doesn’t just spend his time listening to these songs on the road, though, and has even gone to Red Rocks Park in Colorado to see them!


Ms. Boyett
Ms. Boyett has shown her love for rock music, with her favorite artists being Bon Jovi, Metallica, and Coldplay. She enthusiastically claims “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi, from their hit album Crush, to be her most listened-to song. Ms. Boyett stumbled upon rock music as a whole due to her family and relatives. “So, I learned that my aunt married a guy whose nephew was in Iron Maiden, and so I got to go to the concert for free, and so that’s what kinda got me into that whole genre of music.” Along with Iron Maiden, Ms. Boyett has been to many different concerts by various bands and artists. These artists and the rock genre have shaped her into who she is today and played a major part in her life.


Ms. Bond
Ms. Bond's favorite artists are along the lines of Fleetwood Mac and Hall & Oates. She found her favorites throughout her life, starting from where she grew up and listening to the radio as she aged. Ms. Bond grew up with her high school band, and she notes that she “likes all genres of music.” Ms. Bond can also go for "country, grunge, and R&B.” She got really jealous of her childhood friend Kira "because she got to go to the concert." Later on, she went to concerts by The Cure, Zac Brown, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, and George Strait. Ms. Bond has loved music since her childhood, and her early enjoyment has blossomed into her current adoration of music.


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Walnut Grove is full of personality, and not just the type that meets the eye. People have opinions, and with music, this is demonstrated beautifully. Just because we are all different doesn't mean we can’t all come together through music.

Image Courtesy of APB Music Co. Ltd