They're Playing My Song
FORWARD: SOCIABILITY was an online magazine dedicated to “Living Generously and Serving Joyfully.”
An idea born during the throes of Covid, Sociability came to life through my friendship with Tony Rutigliano. With he as the Publisher and me as Executive Editor, TOGETHER WE launched Sociability as a different kind of online magazine. We recruited friends, friends of friends, and strangers who became friends to write stories about their lives and TO serve on our board. Everyone was a volunteer. It was a magazine full of ways that people are kind to one another. oUR CONTRIBUTORS AND i SHARED stories of fresh air and dogs, looking back and looking ahead, loving people just as they are (including yourself), sharing one’s talents and enthusiasm with others, dads spending time with daughters, moms supporting one another, and baking really good cake. FOR ME, THE EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH OUR CONTRIBUTORS WAS EXTRAORDINARY.
THE MAGAZINE existed from November 2020 - May 2022. We still see little glimmers of its impact today, which says to us that Sociability lived a good life. That’s about the best thing you can say about someone or something when you say good-bye.
hERE’S ONE OF MY STORIES, ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FOR SOCIABILITY AND NOW RETURNED TO ME TO SHARE WITH YOU.
““Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul.””
by Tony Rutigliano and Amy Schultz
What was your favorite song when you were 8 years old? How about when you were 18? And when you’re 88, will you once again adore that song you loved when you were 8? At any age and throughout the ages, we believe music has a transformative power which can only be experienced to be fully understood. In this “he said, she said” interview, Tony and Amy share stories of songs that have touched their hearts over the years. Their hope is through this journey you’ll be reminded of the special songs that form the soundtrack of your life.
TONY: Throughout my life, I have found that music really speaks deeply to me. No matter the circumstances that surround me, there always seems to be a song that articulates my feelings perfectly. I don’t know what it is about the lyrical eloquence of a songwriter and a composer. Combined, they take simple phrases and bring them to life. There are certain songs that always have and always will speak to me in such a way that to this day, whenever I hear them, they transport me spiritually and emotionally.
AMY: When Tony first told me about his inspiration to write about the power of music, I got so excited about the idea I invited myself along whether he really wanted a co-author or not! To me, music is a magic trick I can’t figure out. Music can take me away, and music can bring me back. How does it do that?
ONE
TONY’S PICK: GOD BLESS THE USA, LEE GREENWOOD
I grew up an Air Force brat. Dad served for 12 years, and during that time we moved every two to three years to somewhere new. We lived all over the world. The great thing about growing up in that environment is that we were exposed to so many diverse things. But in all our diversity, we were united behind one thing, and that was (and is) a love for our country. I have distinct memories of our family driving down the road, with “God Bless the U.S.A.” on the radio, singing along at the top of our lungs.
AMY’S PICK: DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE, BARBRA STREISAND
There was a formal living room in the house where I grew up. It was rarely used except when friends of my parents came to visit. Occasionally Dad would drift away from the hubbub of the family room and sit in the living room, close his eyes, and listen to his records on the Hi-Fi. He had eclectic taste, but Barbra Streisand was his go-to when he needed a musical pep talk. He’d crank it up a little louder, then a little more, until I’d get up from whatever I was doing, go into the living room, and join him for the chorus. To this day, it is still my “you got this” anthem: "Nobody, no, nobody... is gonna... rain on my... parade!"
TWO
TONY’S PICK: ALWAYS ON MY MIND, WILLIE NELSON
Really, every Willie Nelson song evokes the same feelings for me. Immediately I go back to visiting my Nanny. She lived in a small house on a fairly large plot of land. Her cousin Zeke lived in a trailer next door. During one visit, we had to borrow Zeke’s washing machine to finish washing our clothes, and so we walked over, and when we went inside there was Willie Nelson sitting at the kitchen table. You see, Zeke and Willie grew up together and remained friends even as Willie became a superstar. It was a regular occurrence to find Willie at Zeke’s house, watching sports on TV or playing cards. On several occasions, my parents would take Willie to the airport, or we’d check on Willie’s house while he was out of town.
AMY’S PICK: FOREVER ARLINGTON, SCORE BY DR. GEORGE CHAVE
Good gosh, Tony, how am I supposed to top THAT?
Here’s the closest I’ll ever come to brushing up against musical history. In 2010, my boss and friend Jim Spaniolo, President of the University of Texas at Arlington, asked if I would help with a special project. As he filled me in on the details, I literally laughed out loud. He asked me to help the University rewrite the score for its alma mater, an unnecessarily complex tune which was virtually unsingable except by music majors and UTA superfans.
Without false modesty, let me say this. I can't sing. AT ALL. "Happy birthday to You" is a stretch for my vocal abilities. But as he explained the project, I quickly came to understand my expected roles as facilitator and cheerleader. Those are things I can do, and what an honor it became! I administratively supported UTA Associate Professor and noted composer Dr. George Chave as he rescored the lyrics which had been written by NTAC (now UTA) students in the 1930s. Over the course of a year, alumni, students, faculty and staff provided input, feedback and rallied around the project, and every step of the way I ran along beside the process with my proverbial clipboard in hand. Finally, when the Maverick Marching Band debuted the new tune with an a cappella singing of the lyrics at the 2011 MavsMeet Convocation, I got more than a little choked up. “Forever Arlington!”
THREE
AMY’S PICK: IN THE MOOD, THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA
In a world full of global disasters and daily distractions, you’ve got to push it all aside sometimes and give 100% of yourself to uninterrupted joy… even if it’s just for the duration of one song. On the rare occasion my husband Brian and I go swing dancing, we never, ever sit this one out. Four minutes of pure joy.
TONY’S PICK: A MILLION DREAMS, ZIV ZAIFMAN, HUGH JACKMAN & MICHELLE WILLIAMS
I’ve always been a dreamer. I think it must be a prerequisite for anyone who becomes an entrepreneur. And while I never imagined my life would take this path, I’m grateful for the journey. When I hear this song, it reminds me that our lives present so much possibility and opportunity. Dreams do come true.
FOUR
AMY’S PICK: RHAPSODY IN BLUE, GEORGE GERSHWIN
Every time I listen to Rhapsody in Blue, it tells me a different story.
TONY’S PICK: GOD TURN IT AROUND, CHURCH OF THE CITY
We can all agree that 2020 has presented many trials and tribulations. Sometimes I’ve felt like these challenges are insurmountable… impossible, even. But when I listen to this song, I’m reminded that our God is in control, and even through the valley, He is doing something. He has a plan for our lives, and it is good. “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Because, that is His nature.”
FIVE
AMY’S PICK: SING HALLELUIAH, JOE & EDDIE
“Don’t you worry ‘bout your heavy load, the Lord’s gonna help you along.” THIS version of THIS song. It’s so personal to me I can’t talk about it.
TONY’S PICK: SILENT NIGHT, PENTATONIX
Since it’s the holiday season, I thought I’d throw in a Christmas song (with props to Arlington’s own, Pentatonix)! During the annual hustle and bustle of trips to the mall, office parties, gift exchanges and Christmas cards (or the stress of distance between me and those I love because of the pandemic), this song always brings me a sense of peace. A peace that surpasses all understanding. It forces me to slow down, and take it all in. Our God gave his only son, so that we might live. He didn’t promise an easy life, but He does offer us a life worth living, a life filled with blessings and miracles. As we seek Him, let us also seek an abundance of opportunities to “live generously and serve joyfully.”
May you and yours have very Merry Christmas!
BONUS TRAX
AMY: MILESTONES MIX TAPE
Every time I've moved to a new state, a song organically presents itself as my metaphysical walk-in music. This milestone mixtape began when my family moved from Michigan to Virginia. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver practically floated into the house every morning through the open kitchen window. From that point forward, UHaul by UHaul, my relocation soundtrack has come together. Do you have milestone playlists? Here's my movin’ groove:
Virginia to Florida: Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles
Florida to Maryland: It's the End of the World as We Know It, R.E.M.
Maryland to Florida: Orange Blossoms, JJ Grey & Mofro (you gotta check them out)
Florida to New York: Good Riddance, Green Day
New York to Missouri: Stuck in the Middle with You, Stealer's Wheel
Missouri to Texas: That's Right (You're Not From Texas), Lyle Lovett
TONY: SHOULD’VE BEEN A COWBOY, TOBY KEITH
Sometimes I just daydream about being a cowboy! Because what little boy doesn’t.