My father died in 2011 and shortly after, Tony Bennett came to Denver.
I saw tickets and thought, my dad LOVED Tony Bennett.
I wanted to go, it was a way to be close to my dad, to see an artist he introduced me to, made me love and appreciate.
I got a fair bit of ribbing from friends, ("how OLD are you??" "Do you need a walker to get there?") but I didn't care. This was about me and my dad.
And wouldn't you know, we weren't the youngest people there, BY FAR.
Tony Bennett bridged generations and genres with his two brilliant Duets albums, where he collaborated with Amy Winehouse, George Michael, Elton John, Tim McGraw, and of course, Lady Gaga.
Towards the end of the concert, he remarked on the acoustics of Ellie Caulkins Opera House, and asked the sound engineers to turn off his mic.
They did, and we all listened, rapt, as he sang "Smile" written by his old pal Charlie Chaplin, without amplification, without accompaniment.
Just pure Tony Bennett, sharing his voice and soothing my broken heart, remembering my dad.
So thank you Tony Bennett. For keeping me connected to my father, to my heart, and to smiling through hard times.
(As I write this, I am in an airport restaurant, and they are playing Tony, "The Way You Look Tonight"...)
So today, I invite you to remember the music your loved one listened to, and allow it to reconnect you to them. Music is pure emotion, and can transport us. Transport yourself to a time you were with your loved one, remember. And SMILE.