Like many of us, I grew up around music. As a kid, I would sit at our family's monster Wurlitzer organ and pick out tunes from TV cartoons or movies I'd recently seen (Star Wars, Superman I, etc.). My father was very musical, and genetics played a role in my inheriting from him a pretty good 'ear' for sounding out a melody and its associated harmonies. I joined band in the 6th grade and was always challenging or being challenged for the lead trumpet spot. I later switched to baritone/euphonium, finally settling on trombone... the instrument that I took into my performing arts high school. I spent my first year in college as a music major, but I switched to humanities my sophomore year and never really participated in any sort of formal music education program after that. Then I came across Mr. Charles Atkins' Blues Lab while attending graduate school at Florida State.

The Blues Lab at FSU is a workshop ensemble led by artist-in-residence Charles Atkins. The class runs for one semester and provides the opportunity for both vocalists and instrumental participants to learn the basics about how blues music is performed, a little bit of blues music history, and how to jam successfully together while preparing for an end of term live concert. There were all types in "the lab." Man, it was a gumbo, that's for sue. We had folks in there who had been steeped in the blues and blues history for years. Then we had the 'tweeners' like me who had bounced between several styles including classical, jazz, rock, country, and blues. Lastly, we had folks with very little experience with the style whatsoever. But even though we all spoke different musical languages, our collective interests, experiences, and talents blended together like a spicy Cajun gumbo, and we put on one heck of a concert when the class was over. I owe much to the Blues Lab for renewing my love of performing, and I have been known to step up to the open mic on more than one occasion since leaving FSU.

Sharing the Musial Meal

I see Worldbridges as a continuation of the spirit that made Blues Lab so special - bringing folks together in an effort to explore varied styles in music and musical performance. While we may all hold true to our own individual tastes and preferences, there will surely be times where the collaborative spirit of Web 2.0 will shine brightly! I am really looking forward to the experience!

Kevin Sandridge
Winter Haven Florida