Now I want to ask my readers if any of them have worked with the visually impaired and want to volunteer. Normally, these stories are written first, read aloud second, and posted online last. We photocopy every senior's story so they can keep a copy for themselves, but this practice doesn't benefit our Blind authors. As far as they're concerned, we're just giving them paper. I've considered typing up Joe's stories in Braille, or perhaps even a Braille run of our book, but I don't know where to start.
We'd love to hear from you! Tweet @bestdaysofar or tag @bestdayofmylifesofar on Instagram with your thoughts about this post. And if you or someone you know is willing to volunteer, contact me directly at ccieri@fandm.edu. In the mean time, pass this around, tell your friends and family, and please let us know if you want to help. Thank you so much for reading and enjoy today's story.
Joe Garrison
7.9.2015
When I had my R&B Group
It was originally called R&B harmony, white disc jockeys changed it to doo-wop.
When I was 15, I formed my own group with some classmates. We would practice after school at 3:30 in a classroom. We were asked to perform at intermission of school dances. We played at a girl’s birthday party and we were a hit. We were called The Meridians. There were 4 of us.
The hand bell ringing choir had us perform after their concert. We needed to blow off some steam from singing hymns.
I had a music teacher who would let us sing our rock and roll songs. We would cover songs, and one guy in the group would write his own songs. They weren’t very good.
He mostly wrote about girls he met. I wonder if they ever found out about each other.
The term Rock n’ Roll was made up by a white disc jockey named Alan Freed. But most of it wasn’t Rock n’ Roll at all.
I’ve always been a fan of all kinds of music. But I’ve always enjoyed my time as a part of a music group.
My idol was Tony Williams a member of a group called the Platters. He was a R&B crooner.
Curated by Caitlin Cieri