My Mom, The Queen of Cool

 

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

            It’s been a long time since I was a kid. Years and years have come and gone, but so many fond memories as seen through the eyes of a little boy remain. I remember my mom watching a small black and white television as she ironed our clothes in the kitchen. I seem to remember Marlow Thomas’ “That Girl”, as well as a show out of Cincinnati called “The Bob Braun Show” and another program with a host they called “Paul Baby.” My mom would iron our clothes and sometimes talk on the telephone. But amazingly, she never took her eyes off of me. I remember her giving me “Quisp” and “Cap'n Crunch” cereals, and she also gave me SpaghettiOs sometimes for lunch. (On a side note, she recently presented me with my original SpaghettiOs spoon.)

            It was a different world in middle America when I was a little kid. The cars were still awesome, the music was still exciting, and to me at least, the world was wild and wonderful. My mom was in her mid-20s back then, and she seemed to enjoy being with me as I explored my world. I remember she bought an orange-handled butterfly net, and we would chase crawdads in the creek downtown in the park and put them in a Mason jar so I could examine them for a few minutes. She wouldn’t let me take them home for obvious reasons, but believe me when I tell you it was some pretty exciting stuff.

Scott Coner's mother holds her two granddaughters.

            I recall her trying to teach me how to tie my shoes. That must have been frustrating because I was kind of a stupid kid. She would get down on her knees and grab one of my Hush Puppies and “chase the bunny around the tree” a hundred times over. I remember wondering who and why anyone would chase a bunny around a tree. But, like I have told you, I have never been a very bright light, even though I was probably a beautiful and angelic child.  

            My mom is probably the one who turned me on to music. We had a 1963 Impala with an AM radio, and I believe that may have been a pipeline to '60s rock. I remember being so excited when The Archies were on the radio singing “Sugar, Sugar”. I also remember thinking how much I hated “My Beautiful Balloon”. Man, that song sucked and still does. She would tool around in our shiny, burgundy “Chevy”, and I stood in the back seat with my Hush Puppies on rocking out way too hard to some song about “God not making little green apples, and it don’t rain in Indianapolis in the summertime.” I still don’t know where they were going with that song, but the lyrics where cool. 

The pop hit "Sweet Mary" (one of Scott's favorite songs in 1970).

            Anyway, she would put me in my bed at night, and I freaked out every time she tried to turn my light off. You see, I have quite an imagination, and I am a pretty big chicken. This can all be validated by anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing me. Usually after 20 minutes or so I would yell in my sweetest little boy voice that I was thirsty, and every single time she would bring me my glass of water. This probably went on until I was about 19 or so, but who’s counting?

  

            I could go on and on about my mom, but I’ll spare her all of my bragging. I will tell you that if there is anything even remotely artistic or good about me, it came from her. She brought style into our little town and gave it to me. She was miles and miles ahead of all of the other kids' moms as they wore their polyester. Her natural style and coolness left all of the other women in the brush. I remember how proud I was when she occasionally showed up at my school for some event. She just brought an energy to a room that others couldn’t dream of doing.

            These days, I find myself going back in time and appreciating each and every moment. We all come from something, and I came from good parents. If I have ever hurt anyone, and I know I have, it was my fault. I can assure you I was taught better than that. If I have ever misrepresented myself, once again, that would be my fault as well. However, if my music has ever given you a reason to smile or look into your own heart... well, that would be my mom’s fault. Like I've already said, she brought all of the style and all of the cool. I was merely a recipient of good parenting and excellent musical surroundings.       

         Scott Coner is a country singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. You can learn more about him and hear his music at www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer, and www.ScottConer.com. Follow Scott at www.Twitter.com/ScottConer.

All We Leave Behind

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

         When I think about a legacy, I think about the important things we leave behind. Those things that best describe who we are, who we were, what we stood for. Like you, I have seen my share of funerals. And it is certainly true that the older we get, the more opportunities we get to pay our final respects.

         These days when you walk into a funeral home, there is usually a television screen or two in the room on the outer walls that have a slideshow of the person’s life lying there in state. Sometimes, there might even be some music piped into the room that best represented the person’s life.

         One funeral that has always stayed with me was an old farmer who lived down the road from me. His name was “Junior”. He left behind three sons, two daughters, and his wife. This was and is a good family of farm people. Junior always used Case farm tractors on his farm. He was even a member of the antique tractor club in our area. Anyway, when I arrived at the funeral home on the evening of the “viewing”, I noticed both of Junior's Case tractors and a hay wagon were parked out back. I saw the slideshow about his life, his family, his commitment to the Baptist church, and I was overcome with warmth and respect for such a good man. Following the funeral the next day, Junior's casket was hoisted up onto the hay wagon and pulled back to our road to a small cemetery just down the road from me. When they lay Junior in the ground, some words were said, some bluegrass gospel was sung, and he was left to rest that afternoon. He had lived his life very well and left quite a legacy. His family still works the farm. 

Scott Coner's grandfather works the fields. (Photo provided by Scott Coner)

         My dad, Linville Coner, has accomplished about as much as any man I have ever known. He and my mom were married at 17 and 18 years old. They started with nothing. They both worked hard and saved every cent possible. My dad went through his electrical apprenticeship down in Ft. Myers, Florida, but in the early '60s, work was sparse in that part of the country. They moved to Indiana, but work slowed down again. Dad and his brother went to New York for two years and worked though the frigid winters and sent most of their paychecks back to their wives. Long story short, my dad worked his way up the ladder from an apprenticeship to one of the largest electrical outfits in the country. They didn’t just focus on volume either. They had millions of man hours worked without incident. They had many clients who stayed with them for years and years, and they had many employees who spent their careers with them. My dad and my uncle were an outstanding team. They are both strong and honest men. They lead by example. And when they retired, they walked away without owing anyone a single penny. Their work has affected our family for many generations to come. Quite a legacy if you ask me. 

Music Video: "Into The Clouds"

I wrote "Into the Clouds" on a Sunday Afternoon after leaving church. The promise of heaven is one that I believe in, but my heart struggles with the thought of one day passing from this earth and having to leave my family. I hope you all enjoy the song, and I hope you consider all of the love and acceptance Christ has offered all of us!

        When you think about your life, what is it that comes to mind? What stands out to you? What are you most proud of? Are you proudest of your children? Are you proud of your marriage? Are you proud of your career? These are certainly all things one could hang their hat on as far as a legacy goes. I, myself, can’t honestly sit here and tell you I have accomplished much in this world. Yes, I have helped raise two wonderful daughters. I have worked hard on my marriage. It almost fell apart because of me once, and I have never let my hand off of the wheel since. I am proud of what I have become. I have seen some very dark moments in my life. I have felt the breath of the devil at my back. But I forged ahead with my life and did my best to keep the most important components of my life in the center. I recognize that Christ is the center of all things, and I can accomplish little without His divine guidance.

Scott's wife, Cyndi (Photo by Scott Coner)

          So, all of this being said, my legacy truly is being a member of my family. I am a part of my grandparents on both sides of the aisle. I am a part of my mom and my dad. I am Cynthia’s husband. I am devoted to her, I lift her up in every way possible, and I adore her every move. I am the proud father of two wonderful daughters who have never given me any reason to be anything but proud of them. I am a Christian man. And I lastly, I am a singer-songwriter. It is my plan to leave a story of my life, my love, behind in song. I hope that my music is a part of some people’s lives. I hope my music feeds people in some way. Maybe, they will even read my books. My legacy then, is about a man who loved his God, loved his family, and loved his music. Through my daughters and my songs, I hope to live on for just a little while longer.

         What is it about you that we can remember? We all have something. We all are and were a part of this world. Think about it. Outside of your commitment to Jesus and your love for your family and friends, what else truly matters in the end?    

         Scott Coner is a country singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. You can learn more about him and hear his music at www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer, and www.ScottConer.com. Follow Scott at www.Twitter.com/ScottConer.

Oh Beth, What Can I Do?

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

         Of the many things we experience in life, there are those moments that occur, sometimes unexpectedly, that stay with us forever. That first kiss, the first time we feel love for someone outside of our own family, or even the first time we drive off in a car all alone. I have spent most of my life seeking out those very moments. I felt some of them early in life and became interested in the feelings they aroused. I’m no scientist, but hearts must trigger something pretty cool in our minds and bodies during those moments.

         When I was in the sixth grade, there was a girl named Beth that I had one of my first real schoolboy crushes on. Beth and I were both safety patrolmen at our school, so I guess you could say we were a pretty big deal. Although, I’m not positive anyone ever actually listened to me as I patrolled the mean sidewalks of our school trying to keep all of those young souls safe.

         Being a school safety patrolman had other hazardous duties as well. Beth and I both were often involved in taking the American flag down at the end of the day and folding it up nicely before taking it back to the front office. I remember as we folded the flag together my fingers touched hers, and I think that was all it took for me to fall in love. Of course, I may be a little over sensitive in such matters because I have always been a hopeless romantic. 

 (My video "You Got Me Right" was inspired by my beautiful wife, Cyndi)

         That year, I remember some of the songs on the radio being kind of cool. We had “Dream Weaver” (by Gary Wright I think…), “I Write the Songs”, (by Barry Manilow, but he didn’t write that one…) some band called Hot Chocolate had a song called “I Believe in Miracles (You Sexy Thing)”, and then there was a ballad by a band called Kiss that contributed a single called “Beth”. Early on, I didn’t really care for the song “Beth”, much because I wasn’t fully convinced that the guy singing the song could sing very well. But as my first love grew across the American flag, the song began to have new meaning.

         Back then, during high school basketball season, all of us kids would go to the high school and act like we belonged there. We had our own little section in the gym bleachers, and we began to learn how to communicate with other sixth graders that we would soon be sharing a school with the following year as we entered middle school. It was at one of those basketball games that Beth kissed me on the lips. I can’t really describe it because I think I may have blacked out for a minute or two. I didn’t know how to act after that. I didn’t know if I should try to hold her hand, be rude to her, or profess my undying love from the mountaintops. What I was aware of though was that time just stopped during that three seconds. I had actually become a man. 

Scott Coner (Photo by Cynnamae Media Productions)

         Well, I don’t guess I blew her mind by any stretch of the imagination, because she began dating some butt-headed kid that lived in her neighborhood who wasn’t actually terrified of girls. I heard the stories at the lunch table, and it killed me a little bit more each day. I didn’t live in town, so I couldn’t visit her. I wouldn’t have known how to visit her if I lived across the street from her anyway, so it didn’t matter much. These new feelings came at me like tiny torpedoes. I would see her in the hall sometimes, and she would walk right by me. She would fold the flag in the afternoons with me and not even attempt to be her normal, sweet self. Sometimes, she and her ugly, stupid-headed boyfriend would walk around the school together, and I couldn’t understand at all what I had done to deserve such treatment. The butt-headed guy was so sure of himself. He laughed with everyone and played basketball pretty well. And he sure had better clothes than me. I mean, I wasn’t wearing “Ger-animals” or anything, but I didn’t have the kind of nice clothes the kids in the wealthy neighborhoods got to wear. The good news was I had a back-up plan. There were some girls in my classroom that were actually nice to me, so they helped me bounce out of the pain. Yep, I had Staci and Margret to fill the cracks in my broken heart.

         Truthfully, the pain may have only lasted for a week or so. I never got a chance to date Staci or Margret. But they sure were nice girls. What I did get to take with me instead was my first kiss. It came quick and unexpected. It burnt me down all the way to the ground, and I really liked that feeling quite a bit. Anyway, that was the first really big moment in my life. It was the one moment that made me realize that women may be the most important gift God ever gave man. Ever since, it’s been songs about long-legged women for me. And that’s just fine.  

         Scott Coner is a country singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. You can learn more about him and hear his music at www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer, and www.ScottConer.com. Follow Scott at www.Twitter.com/ScottConer.

For Valentine's Weekend: 'I Worship Her... I Need to be Close to Her'

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

         It’s been over 20 years ago now, but I remember everything. The first time I saw her my whole world changed. I knew that somehow, I needed to impress this woman enough to marry me. I walked around in a cloud for weeks not knowing what to do. I was in a bad marriage, and I was having more trouble than you could imagine getting out of it. Cyndi was also in the final stages of a break-up. The timing couldn’t have been worse. But, this woman, this relationship, was worth fighting for. I needed her. I had never felt feelings like those, and I didn’t know how to act.

         We both grew up within just a few miles of each other, but the odd thing is I actually met her in Nashville. She had been working for a Christian record label called Brentwood Music. I had wanted to pitch some of my music to them, but since I was in the middle of a divorce, nobody wanted to talk to me too seriously. I wasn’t very bothered by this though, because I could have cared less for their label. I just wanted their blonde.

Cyndi Coner

         As a little boy, I used to go with my mom after school to make bi-weekly payments at a furniture store in our town called Barnes’ Furniture. It was owned by a very kind Christian man who really impacted me just to be around him. It turns out that this man was actually Cyndi’s uncle. I look at our old photos of our families, and it looks like we grew up with the same furniture. Another interesting fact about Mr. Barnes was that he had three daughters. They were all older than me, but they were crazy beautiful. These girls were Cyndi’s cousins. Turns out that this family has a very dominant gene of beauty. Not unlike my family’s genetic hair displacement or big ears.

         Early on, I was supposed to meet Cyndi in Nashville for dinner. I sat at the table for nearly an hour, and she didn’t show. I finally got up and went to the salad bar and found myself standing next to Carl Perkins. I was too troubled to even care, so I didn’t thank him for his contributions to music or offering me a chilled plate for my salad. I stormed out of the restaurant only to find Cyndi sitting all alone in a chair waiting for me to get there. I felt like such an idiot, but to tell you the truth, I bet she hadn’t been there long. Through the years, I have noticed that I sit around waiting on her quite a bit, but I don’t mind.

         Anyway, long story short, we found a way through the mess and ended up getting married. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for her being in my life. She has proved to be a perfect mother. She treats my parents like her own. And she actually loves me unconditionally, and I have no earthly idea why. I don’t deserve a woman like her. I lie in our bed at night and hold her. I feel her soft skin and soft hair while she’s there next to me, and I find myself smiling in the darkness.

          Through the years, I have made mistakes and let her down. It hurts me to think about it, because I care for her so much. But, I keep trying to show her in all kinds of ways how much she means to me. I have mentioned before that I worry about having to die some day because I just don’t want to be away from her, and I truly mean it. I don’t want to have to leave. Every day, every minute, matters more than I could say.

         Valentine’s Day is the mandatory, designated day to promise our undying love to someone. I have written many songs about my wife, but “Close to You” is one of my favorites. There simply is no way I can put into words how much Cyndi means to me. I believe she saved me from a miserable life and a terrible ending. All I wanted to say to her is, “Thank you for saving me from me." Without her, things would have gone much different. I would have been bitter, mad and lost. Instead, I’m happy, glad and found.

         I hope you like the song and video. But, more than that, I hope each of you has a special Valentine’s Day. If by chance this year finds you alone, don’t worry. I’ve had plenty of those, too. Your best bet is to wait until Sunday, go to the drugstore, and buy yourself some special chocolate on sale and wait around until the right person comes along. There’s somebody out there for all of us. I’m living proof of that.

         The first song I wrote about Cyndi was this one I am including. I haven’t recorded it, but I remember the lyrics. Maybe one day I can take it to the studio. I’m not sure how many songs people want to hear about my personal experiences.

“Seven Kinds of Ways”

Hey girl we’re about to be free

And I was wondering if you’d marry me

And give me a little girl

We’ll name her Emily Sae

And we’ll hold hands and ride swings in the park

And I’ll hold you when the world goes dark

And girl, I won’t ever leave

(Chorus)

But when you smile are you really laughing at me?

For being such a love-sick fool?

In just three days

I fell for you seven kinds of ways

And girl, my heart belongs to you

How’d you get those pretty brown eyes?

And girl can you sympathize?

You see, I’ve never felt this before

Everything’s not as it seems

And my feelings are here on my sleeve

All I can do is think about you

Girl, I’ll do anything you want me to do

(Lyric Copyright 2016 Scott Coner)

Scott Coner is a country singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. You can learn more about him and hear his music at www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer, and www.ScottConer.com. Follow Scott at www.Twitter.com/ScottConer.

The Perfect Song

By Scott Coner

Country Artist (and Proud Father)

            Twenty years ago this weekend, my first daughter was born. I was honestly in shock as all of the evidence of my wife’s very large stomach finally came into fruition. You see, I wasn’t really prepared for much of anything at that particular point in my life. I remember the day we were to bring her home from the hospital. I was supposed to go outside and bring the truck around to the front doors of the hospital and pick up Cynthia and the new human that I didn’t really know very well yet. I remember realizing I didn’t know how to put together a child's car seat and freaking out in front of everybody as I slammed the box on the sidewalk possibly screaming out words that didn’t match my adorable character.

            My fingers were wrapped around the steering wheel for all it was worth as we drove away from the nurses that had been helping Cyndi and me. I looked over to my right every now and again and could barely comprehend that this tiny humanoid was going to be part of my life as long as I lived. We stopped at my mom and dad’s before we went home to show my mom what I had made. We were all kind of spellbound as this tiny, skinny little baby opened her charcoal eyes. I never saw it coming, but everything in me melted like candlewax. This very small version of me and my wife took hold of me at that moment and has never let go. All I can say is that I am so glad she did. She set the stage that would allow me to feel feelings inside myself that I didn’t know existed. The love that I have felt since that day has continued to amaze me. 

 Video: Happy 20th Birthday Emi

            Three years after Emily was born, we found out that we had another little girl on the way. I remember being scared that I wouldn’t have any love left for her because Emily Sae already owned it all. But as I said, because of Emily, my heart had been conditioned to love the next baby every bit as much as the first one.

            I had started writing “The Perfect Song” as I sat on our bed watching Emily lie there as I played guitar. I must have set the song aside for quite a while, but I finished it sitting cross-legged next to my youngest daughter Taylor’s crib. I never planned on doing anything with the song, because it was so specifically about my own daughters. But, Cyndi has been making this “slide-show” for Emily’s birthday this weekend with the song as a backdrop, and I just wanted to share it with you. A lot of things are changing with my music very soon, and I don’t know how much longer I will be free to release little songs like this. The thing is, I know the song isn’t something that will speak to everyone. But it might speak to you in some way. I guess most of us have watched our kids play in the leaves or run across the yard as the sunshine danced across their hair. Those are the moments that God allowed me to have that I’ll always hold in my heart. My daughters have defined the man that I have become. So, as I’m driving to Wilmore, Ky., this weekend to see her on her birthday, I hope you can take a few minutes and allow me to share with you the story about two little girls that have truly blessed me. They are my “Perfect Song”, something far, far better than anything I could ever hope to write. Happy Birthday, Emily Sae Coner. I love you. 

I Don’t Know What She Did to Deserve Me, But It Must Have Been Pretty Bad

            The first time I ever saw my wife Cyndi, I think I lost both of my shoes. I had never seen anyone or anything as pretty as her. She and I met at probably the worst time possible. We were both getting a divorce, and both of us probably had plans of moving on with our lives. But things don’t always work out as planned. They never did for me anyway.

            She and I have been together for over 21 years now, and these days I feel like I keep falling deeper for her. Honestly, I worry about it sometimes because I’m not sure that it’s healthy to want to be around someone as much as I do her. The thing is, I honestly worry about the day that I have to leave this world and I won’t have her by my side. If Heaven is perfect, I don’t know how it could be perfect if she’s not there with me.

            Through the years, I have written songs, written cards, and bought jewelry as well as flowers trying to remind her of my feelings. I will be the very first to acknowledge that she should have ended up with a much better looking, cooler and suave man. But the thing is, I’m quite the talker when I set my mind to it, and I put my mojo into overdrive as I talked her into marrying me. I don’t know exactly what I said, but it must have been brilliant. I lay in our bed this morning as the sun came up, and I marveled at her angelic beauty. I walked into the restroom to brush my teeth and chuckled as I looked in the mirror. She married a troll!

            Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, I was talking about how awesome it is to be married to Cyndi. She has changed me. She has gently made me want to be a much better man. She has encouraged me to be healthy. She has given me the power to believe in myself. She has given me two perfect little girls that are just as pretty as their mother. And she laughs at my incredibly stupid jokes almost every time. She loves country music, but she rocks to AC/DC. I’m telling you this woman is perfect. She and I enjoy coffee on the porch in the mornings when we both have time. We sit there staring out across the countryside talking about our kids or our parents. Our dog Maggie sits out there with us, and both barn cats come up to the house to hang out as well. Those mornings are some of my favorite times.

 

            I don’t know what the future holds. I’m sure there will be storms though. We will most likely feel the sting of death as it takes family members we have loved all of our lives. We will get older and start to fail ourselves. Yes, I’m sure those storms will come, but life has always been about receiving and losing, laughing and crying, living and then dying. I’m sure as long as I have her next to me that we can face it as it comes.

            To learn more about country artist Scott Coner, visit http://www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, http://www.ScottConer.com, and http://www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer.