It was the summer of 1997. I had just quit my first band. I felt I needed to go in a different direction. My biggest love was singing and, suddenly, my weekends were now free and there was no interest from other bands in the area of having me sing with them.
I was heartbroken.
I went to my parent’s house to visit and told them what had
happened. I just started crying uncontrollably asking “What am I going to do? I
love it so much.”
My father was visibly shaken. He had 1 son but he also had 8
daughters and hated to see any of them cry. He took my face in his hands and
lifted my eyes to his. I will never forget that moment. When I looked in his
eyes there were tears. He held my head and said “You know what? You have what I
didn’t. You’ve got ‘IT’. You have a chance to make it. Don’t you worry. You’ll
be okay. You are too good not to sing.” Back when he was in his early 20s, his
voice had a close resemblance to that of Josh Groban thanks to training from
the priests of his church he received. He missed his chance due to circumstances
beyond his control.
Looking into his eyes that day I was determined to not let
him down. I wasn’t going to let myself down. When Dad told me something, I
always believed him. I wasn’t about to stop then.
Fast forward 21 years.
My father, 82, and my mother, 75, are now housebound. The
only time they leave the house in the winter is to go to doctor’s appointments.
In the spring, summer, and fall they venture out to their mailbox, their front
yard to watch the parade pass by, the fenced-in backyard or are driven to a
family gathering by one of us children. We all take turns running errands,
cleaning house, cooking meals and just plain old visiting. We all love to visit
and talk with them. We bring their grandchildren by to see them. Mom especially
loves to see how big they are getting. 
I had run an errand to the Christmas Tree Shop in Augusta
and the Village Market in Fairfield the day before and stopped in to visit and
deliver their purchases while my son was at Boy Scouts and my step-daughter was
at basketball practice. They reimbursed me for the items I had bought them and
we started talking.
My mother always asks “What’s new?” So I told them about the
antics we had at work at the Maine Veterans’ Home that day, my meeting with the
Stake President of my church and our plans for Christmas Day. I had them
laughing when I told them about our cat who repeatedly clears a room due to its
flatulence. I mentioned that we had the
weekend off from playing in the band because it was Christmas weekend and my
dad startled.“That reminds me,“ he piped up, “I had a dream about you last night.” I was so surprised. Dad never mentioned things like this.
“Me? What was I doing?” I started to laugh.
“Remember when you were at the Waterville Opera House and Ma and I were in our seats on the aisle and you sang that song to us?” I did. It was one of the best moments of my life. “The one where you got the standing ovation? Man,” he said “that was incredible. It was so good. You need to do that again. I dreamt about that last night.”
I was fighting back tears. My mind flashed back to that
summer day 21 years ago and I had to hold it together. I didn’t want my dad to
think he was making me cry even if they were tears of joy.
I cleared my throat and managed to make an announcement to
them. “Thanks, Dad. As a matter of fact, I have big news. I have started a
Miranda Lambert Tribute band and our first gig is in 3 months! I will be up on
stage again just like that. The crazy thing is that I just booked a second one
with a wonderful lady that says it’s going to be great. I haven’t even
performed the first one yet! I am really hoping they go well because I’d like
to branch out and take the show all over New England.” Their eyes lit up.
“Wow! All over New England, you say?” said Dad.
“That sounds cool,” added Mom.
I explained how I would wear a wig and have a costume change
or two and how my younger sister, Jenny, would be singing back up. Practices
were starting right after Christmas. I have a great group of musicians behind
me including lead player Bruce Burpee, bass player Ed Nevins, rhythm player
Larry Tilton and drummer Kyle Melcher. My husband, Chad, would be running the
sound for us.
“Well,” Dad said “that sounds good. Good, good, good.”
“I’m glad you like it, Dad. I’ll make a video for you and
you’ll be able to see it.”
“Good, good, good.” He nodded his head and smiled.
I have been singing in bands since I was 17 years old. Six
years ago, thanks to the encouragement of my husband, I started my own band, Sharon Hood & Dixon Road. We
have since opened for Luke Bryan, Keith Urban and, yes, Miranda Lambert. Now
I’ve started this new venture paying tribute to a woman I admire so much.
Dad was right.
I was okay.And I’m still singing.
