To my Dad, music has never been just background noise. To him, music is the element that creates the atmosphere, sets the stage.

When we were younger, it was Kenny Rogers and Christa Burgh. My dad would spend hours with us, explaining the lyrics of "Ferry Man" and "Spanish Train".

I couldn't tell you what my favourite bed time story was, but I can tell you all about the "Coward Of The County" and the ever famous "Gambler".

I could also tell you about Sailing away on a mattress in the wilderness of our living room with the natural sounds of streams tinkling and wolves howling over the 3 foot, wood paneled speakers on either end of the room.

As we got older, it was Enya who would greet us as we walked in the door. My Dad would be in the living room, candles lit, glass of wine, reclined in his Lazy Boy with his eyes closed, living for a moment, in her richly imagined world.

When he cooks, he plays the music for the food he is cooking. An avid fan of Indian Food, it means we listened to a lot of Indian Music. Maritime and Acadian music let us know we were eating Seafood, while a lively Salsa usually implied a spicy Mexican dinner.

It should come as no surprise, that, at my Dad's insistence, my parents took up Ballroom dancing. Music, for my Dad is something visual and alive, and dancing is the vehicle to express it.

Today, I rarely listen to music as background music, because, to me, it is not.

Music is the event and when it plays I want to be in it completely.

I love a large variety of music, songs that tell stories, or songs that make my own stories come to life.

My Dad and I don't always have the same taste in music, but he taught me to listen to music from the inside out, and for that, I will be forever grateful.