Rediscovering Music

I recently switched from using the local news on TV as background to my day to listening to a NJ radio station and it got me back in touch with music. This station plays rock but mixes new and older songs as well as playing stuff from various sub-genders of rock so I get to experience music I would not hear by listening to the big NY classic rock station. Going back to music also lets me use my stereo, something I hadn’t done too much since moving into my apartment.

While I have an extensive music collection of my own, I prefer to listen to that stuff when I am paying attention to the music. Having the radio on also gives me some news updates and weather reports while being a connection to the outside world, and all the other listeners. It’s the difference between listening to “Alice’s Restaurant” every Thanksgiving at noon on the local station – with all those doing the same – and popping in the CD or pulling it up on whatever music service you use. I know the connection is purely a state of mind but in that way, it’s real and makes the experience much more meaningful.

There are other benefits to listening to music too. Music can be healing and listening to music has been shown to help dementia patients focus. Some studies have shown that listening to music can reduce the risk of developing dementia by engaging various parts of the brain. We also often remember past events linked to specific songs, bringing back memories potentially buried under subsequent life experiences.

Being a hard rock, prog rock, blues, jazz and classic rock fan, I purposely dodged most of the popular 80’s and 90’s music. I still avoid disco, hip-hop, and all their cousins but have been introduced to other genres that I have come to appreciate thanks to a friend. He has exposed me to various genres of punk, ska, and underground bands from the 80’s & 90’s.

Naturally that exposure is tied to beer (isn’t everything?). Let me explain that one. Between hanging out in Steve’s Garage Bar and jumping in his car for brewery trips (music is driver’s choice) I’ve come to appreciate music styles that I had not experienced. I can’t pretend to like it all, but I’ve learned a lot about non-familiar bands and music thanks to that, and I enjoy hearing new music. To be fair, I have exposed him to my music when it’s my turn to drive, being mindful to not put on stuff I know he doesn’t like. Sharing the music we like with others is fun and forms stronger connections.

No grand epiphany here. But I can report that having the radio on the last several weeks instead of the TV has made me more relaxed as I go about my day and it has stirred up many good memories of the past as certain songs have played. It has also exposed me to new music that I had been missing out on, providing the opportunity to expand my musical appreciation. Rock radio is alive and well so find a station you like, tune in, and turn it up!

www.RetiredandInspiredat55.com  06-01-2026