Back in 2016, my band, DC's Different Drummers, held a concert that featured music by and about women. Our conductor asked for volunteers to share something about the women who have been an inspiration in our lives. Here is what I wrote.
My love of music stems largely from my grandmother, Anna Lawyer Carroll. She was born in 1891 to parents who enjoyed music. Her father, P.R. Lawyer, played in various community bands throughout his life. My grandmother learned to play the piano and played the organ at the Presbyterian church in our hometown.
Anna gave piano lesson too One of her great talents was her ability to sight read music. That led to her job at the Berkeley Springs Theater. For several years she played piano for the silent movies and got paid 25 cents a night. And if a vaudeville troupe came to town and needed an accompanist she rehearsed with them in the afternoon and played the performance. That was big money she told me, "50 cents a night!"
Anna was a natural alto and she sang duets with her brother Herbert Lawyer. Their brother Harry grew up to sing bass in the church choir. Herbert played euphonium and Harry played saxophone. Herbert served in the Army during WWI and even played in an Army band while serving in France. We found this photo of his Army band.
Anna's uncle Jonathan Casler loved her very much and offered to pay her tuition to attend the Peabody Institute in Baltimore. But P.R. wouldn't le her go. Without a degree she was later denied a teaching position at the local high school. But that didn't stop her from teaching piano to two generations in our small town.
After Anna married Eddie Carroll, she taught her children, Ned and Margie, to read music. Uncle Ned never really took to piano, but he played trombone and most any other instrument he picked up. And he had a wonderful tenor voice!
Margie Carroll McBee, was my mother. Mom mostly played "for my own amazement". But she did accompanied friends who sang. Later, like her own mother, she started playing the organ at church. But for my mom it was at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. I'm not sure how long she played the organ, but it was the better part of 25 years.
My grandmother taught me to read music and play the piano. My lessons were a bit hit-and-miss. I learnded the basics. When the movie The Sting came out I heard Scott Joplin's Entertainer rag played on the radio. I decided I wanted to play that. My mom and I found the music for it and I started to work on it. With my mother's help I eventually learned the piece and improved as a pianist as well.
My siblings all learned from my grandmother too and we all continue to play instruments and sing. One of my cousins is Jon Carroll, a Grammy award winning musician/singer/songwriter. His son Ben is also a musician.
The next generation has lots of talent too. My niece Lindsay Dove is an accomplished singer and a music teacher. Another niece, Chelsea McBee sings and plays the banjo. She has a couple albms out and some recordings on YouTube. Her mom Teresa and her sister Melody sing with her sometimes. They have two brothers, Caleb and Dominic who play instruments and sing too. Dominic studied musical theatre and has performed in a number of community and semi-professioal productions.
Harry Lawyer's sons and grandchildren have carried on the musical tradition playing piano and other instruments.
In addition to inspiring my knowledge and love of music, my grandmother's talent has carried on to a fourth generation. And the next generation is just getting started!
