Today, author Brandy Jellum takes the floor for Music Tuesday. Thanks, Brandy, for stopping by!

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Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte, The Beatles, The Temptations, The Marvelettes, Diana Ross, The Dixie Cups, and Captain & Tennille.

What do all these things have in common? At first glance, not very much. They seem like just a bunch a names to people who may not know who they are. To me, they are the epitome of my childhood/adult life.

Unlike most twenty five year olds, I prefer the sweet croonings of ‘The Way You Look Tonight” from my boy Frank. When I want to dance, I pop on “Jump In Line,” and shake it all the time. When I want to relax, I turn to The Beatles.

The thing is, I have a song, person, or group, for every mood. Only I’m pretty sure I was born in the wrong decade. With that being said, I am one of those people who actually does listen to just about everything. From Pantera, to Muse, to Tchaikovsky, and yes, even Justin Bieber. I’m not ashamed to admit it.

To me, music is music. If I love it, that’s all that matters. I don’t care what artist might’ve done this or done that. If the song speaks to me, makes me want to dance, or head bang…then it’s game on.

Music plays a huge influence on my life. I listen to it when I clean, singing into the handle of my broomstick, and putting on a show for my kids. I’m the crazy person sitting at a stop light singing at the top of her lungs, and dancing like I have no rhythm, because I don’t. I listen to it when I write. I have several playlists on my laptop. Some are by genre, some are by decades, and some are by my favorites. Then I have the mixes, a little bit of everything because I can’t decide what I want to listen to. When there’s an infinite amount of words to hear out there, it can make the decision harder on some days. There’s times where I’ll bounce around, pressing the skip button until I settle on one that speaks to me. Which drives my husband- and children- insane.

I’m even that person who absolutely loves musicals of all kinds- yes that means the High School Musical franchise as well.

I grew up with music. It was my escape from the troubles at home. I’d just pop in a tape- because I didn’t have a CD player- and open my newest book. It was my refuge from reality. A way I expressed myself without ever having to use my own words. Eventually, I decided to create my own music. Starting with the clarinet in elementary school, moving onto the flute, and then finding my niche in the 6^th grade in the choir room. Wherever I went, one thing was certain, there had to be a choir program. Particularly, show choir.

There is something to be said about preforming on stage. Singing, dancing, playing a role, and making the crowd stand on their feet. It was exhilarating. My favorite memories from high school were on the many stages I sang on. And despite how alive I felt up there, under the bright lights, I never once sang alone. I felt vulnerable, afraid, and would clam up. I was okay with that though. While singing is a passion of mine, it was for fun, a way to release built up energy. And though, it’s been a few years since I’ve found my way back onto that stage, I still sing. Every day around the house, and at night to my son when he’s in bed. That crazy kid who is rather fond of my rendition of “Frosty the Snowman.” Because let’s be real, who doesn’t love that magical pile of snow who comes to life.

Nowadays, I find myself searching for artists who aren’t as big as the pop stars who rule the day. The ones who love music as much as I do. They write songs, they play, they sing, because they can’t imagine doing anything else. I’ve learned that those minorities, those unknown talents, create some of the best melodies I repeat in my head. Then I plug in my headphones, pull up my playlists, and I do the one thing I love more than music- writing stories.

At the end of the day, music still plays a very important role in my life. Wherever I go, whatever I’m doing, there’s always something playing in the background. But nothing is sweeter than the sounds of my four children laughing at their mom putting on a show.

My Top Fifteen Playlist (in no particular order)

“Dawn”- Marianelli (Pride & Prejudice Soundtrack)

“The Way You Look Tonight”- Frank Sinatra

“I Want to Hold Your Hand”- The Beatles

“Jump In Line”- Harry Belafonte

“Can’t Help Falling In Love”- Elvis Presley

“What A Wonderful World”- Tony Bennett

“Nocturnes, Op. 9: No.2 in E-flat Major”- Chopin

“Hear You Me”- Jimmy Eat World

“Panic Station”- Muse

“Hallelujah”- Shrek Soundtrack

“The Phantom of the Opera”- Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Soundtrack)

“Blank Space”- Taylor Swift

“New York, New York”- Frank Sinatra

“Jack & Diane”- John Mellencamp

“I Want You to Want Me”- Cheap Trick

Bonus Song!

“Crazy In Love (Remix)”- Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack

Can’t get enough of that song ^^

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You can visit Brandy online at http://brandyjellumbooks.wordpress.com

On Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/BrandyJellum

On Goodreads here: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7150329.Brandy_Jellum

And on Twitter: @Brandy_Jellum

If I Say Yes can be purchased here on Amazon and here at BarnesAndNoble.com

If I Say No can be purchased here on Amazon and here at BarnesAndNoble.com