David and I shared a music bond. Sadly, we lost David on March 20, 2020.

As our family knows, growing up back when we were kids, it was not unusual to have adults, uncles friends and cousins, sitting around playing music with stringed instruments themselves! Our Dad Ernie was fantastic on his Banjo, can still remember as a kid, he would be on his banjo singing his favorite Buck Owens tunes, or older classics like “Cut Across Shorty“ one of our Dad Ernie’s favorites. David B. has a banjo handed down, that has survived, that our dad Ernie played.  You can see him holding it proudly in the picture gallery page.  Dad Ernie would do “Mountain Dew” Dave and I covered it, although Dave protested playing that song in later years LOL! Cannot find a recording of us covering Mountain Dew, sadly. Some things in life, we have some regrets, and I wish would have gotten some pictures of Dad Ernie and his banjo. But was much younger back then, when he played, and was not like today where taking a picture is so easy with cell phones etc. Some more older pictures of Dad Ernie and his banjo’s may exist, but have not ever seen.

 

Here’s a picture of Dad Ernie  with their group getting ready to play some music! He was the young age of 12, with his Banjo middle center

Our Grand pap Jake would play for the high school dance in Capon Bridge, I remember my Aunt Ethyl would tell me stories about that, and Gran pap Jake was great at Banjo also!. Music goes on with our Grandfather’s and cousins beyond that. Music goes way back on our mother and fathers sides.
Here’s an old picture of great grandad Ed front center with friends and family having a music session. Back in the late 1800’s. Getting ready to get down with some music!

Our Wilt side of family, also has many talented cousins and Uncles and Aunts both singers and guitar of stringed instrument players also. Many bands were formed, and playing events at arenas, and much success of our Wilt uncles. Growing up visiting the Wilt family reunion, there was always music.

 

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Dave hanging with Cody at last Wilt Reunion he attended

 

Our Cousin Cody Wilt is a very talented musician and singer songwriter. You will find his music in music outlets and he plays at clubs. Very impressive and talented. Darla requested Cody’s song “Keep me in your heart” and was played at David’s graveside service. We wish Cody much success in life. Here is a link to his page.

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As a kid I remember riding my bike around and even till dark. Bikes were the thing as the older generation knows. David was older than me, but he would still ride bikes with us, when we played outside as kids. But as mentioned earlier in this story telling. When we came home at dark, they would be playing music outside on the front porch. Dad Ernie, or one of my uncles from our Wilt side, and some of dads friends would play for hours. All I could make out was the glow of Dad Ernie’s cigarette glowing in the dark while he played his banjo. They really enjoyed playing music, and David and I did the same, we carried on the music tradition on, as long as we were able too.

Here’s sister Sarah, brother Jimmy and David playing guitar in the 70’s, while our nieces enjoy too!

Families with guitars was something always took place at cookouts and family gatherings growing up.

David, Jimmy and myself Mike having fun at karaoke at the family Christmas Party.          I would say this photo in early 90’s.

So going to the next level, since so many in family played stringed instruments. I decided to be different and start with drums. I really got into Drums at age 16 when I purchased my 1st full set, we gelled playing as brothers, and we played music, and had sets for hours and hours of music for many years!

I will always remember our Mom Blanche who loved hearing David tuning guitar, and often said that was her favorite part.

In remembrance of Mom forever missed, here is David tuning his guitar!

Our Mom Blanche wrote some songs and liked to sing and she enjoyed music very much. One song she sent away back in the early ’70s, and had a record produced. While it did not make the charts, since she just wanted it professionally recorded on a vinyl 45 record, and did not pursue it into airplay on radio stations etc. It was awesome thing for her, and we all enjoyed listening to it. Thanks to our sisters Sarah, and Donna memories,  the title was “The Footbridge to Forever” since I could not remember it, and they did! Vinyl was a big deal back then, to be able to hold look at it and play it, and 45 records were cool. Although it seems vinyl is making some of a comeback as of these current times, as see records on shelf at electronics dept.
I do not know what became of that record of Mom Blanche. Just memories of it, back when music was on 45 and 33 vinyl, and wish I  could hold in my hand, and play it, but just memories of it exist.
– Mike