' Things Were Going My Way '
by Ray Sparr

I put the needle on the record and waited and waited anxiously. In our 5 flat building the walls were thin and the floor boards had many cracks and spaces. I knew my Aunt Grace or my cousin Jean would be pounding on our ceiling or tapping on the radiator, telling me to turn down the music. But I didn't care. Any moment I would be hearing the beautiful harmonies of Frankie Vali and the Four Seasons. I would be moving my feet to the driving rhythms of The Beach Boys or grabbing my imaginary towel and wiping my buttocks to Chubby Checker. Man, this was great!

As I grew up on the southside of Chicago I learned that all streets were going my way. Whether it was Comiskey Park, the International Amphitheatre or Sherman Park there was music in the air. And I wanted to play that music.

Making music is a pleasure. I feel fortunate to be one of UGUYZ. Music is moving. Music has feeling and meaning. I remember one night in Crown Point, Indiana, I just finished singing "House of the Rising Sun," a young woman came up to me from the dance floor, she was crying and explained, that her older sister was in prison. She loved her sister and missed her. She then told me, "House of the Rising Sun, was her sisters' favorite song." So, even though she was crying, the tears were happy tears. Although the songs may be the same the meanings are as different as each snowflake.

As I grew up, I had ups and downs like everybody else. My struggles have made my pleasures more enjoyable. The responsibilities I have are a priority in my life. My wife, my two daughters in college and my job as a teacher are my life. I am blessed for these things. My parents have taught me to do my best and take care of my family. But, come the weekends and UGUYZ are rockin', whether it's 5 people or 105 people our responsibility is to provide entertainment.

This responsibility however, is sheer pleasure.