1960s and 1970s

HOW MUSIC IMPACTED MY LIFE

I never wanted to be a star, I just wanted to be noticed. Even as a kid playing in my family’s group, I realized that the moments in our shows when I was featured were opportunities to gain recognition. That drove me to not only try to play the piano better but to try to learn the art of entertainment. And while I stayed with my teacher Linda Robinson, I was exposed to a lot of entertainers who would have an impact on me. Unlike my family, the Robinsons had a TV and I got to watch variety shows, featuring acts like Glenn Campbell, the Mandrell sisters, Dean Martin, and Red Skelton. I began to realize how much Vaudeville antics played a part in entertainment and started to add elements of it to my performances. I continued to develop those skills while I played for J.D. Sumner & the Stamps Quartet. During that time, I got the ironic nickname “Tarzan” and made the most of it, to the enjoyment of our fans. J.D. and I went on to do a record together called J.D. and Tarzan n’ Em: Humor in Concert (BMG Records, 1970), in which we highlighted the funny shtick we used onstage. It was a riot. I also performed on other records with J.D. & the Stamps.