Best of Both Worlds

You never know what you have until you see what’s out there.

Well, you kind of do, at least in my case I do. I knew I had a confident and talented little girl, but even more importantly a nice little girl and once again it showed in her demeanor and manners. About a week ago Sophie answered a call by a local columnist in the paper to write and tell her why “You’re bananas for Hannah”, as in Hannah Montana aka Miley Cyrus, daughter of one Billy Ray Cyrus who is of course the mulleted wonder of the early eighties whose claim was to the Achy Breaky Heart fame.

Now if you haven’t any kids, especially girls in the “tween” category, you may in fact not know about this pop singing/acting sensation. Then again, you might also have heard about her concerts being the hottest selling ticket in the United States due to the fact that some scalpers are offering her tickets for up to $3000. Spoil my daughter as I may—even this is too rich for PinF’s blood. Still the exorbitant prices have done little to discourage the mania surrounding this “tween” pop diva’s pending visit to South Florida. So it was that I alerted Sophia to the article in last weeks’ Palm Beach Post encouraging kids to write to a features columnist why you are “Bananas over Hannah”. If your letter was compelling or interesting enough they would ask you to come in for a photo shoot and interview for a future article.

Guess who got the nod? That’s right the mini Hemingway herself, her letter was cute, concise, and most of all, compellingly honest. Sophia has exhibited great writing skills since an early age, and clearly excels in all areas of reading and writing, especially creatively. So it was that my “suggestion” sort of took on much larger proportions as I prepared to take her to the offices of the Palm Beach Post yesterday as one of five children give the “golden ticket”. Excitement wouldn’t quite describe the anticipation of the day. First, a photo shoot of “before”, and then “after”, dressed as Hannah with a blonde wig, and then onto an interview for the article scheduled to run next week—what kid wouldn’t be excited? Still, like all things, I try to temper the moment for the inherent pitfalls and disappointments that may exist, rather than see a full blown crash and burn. Incredibly she seemed very grounded and matter-of-fact about the whole thing, nervous yes, but under control.

I explained that there would be other kids there too, “I know papi”, and that she should just be herself, “papi, I know”, and that it’s ok to be nervous, “I know papi” I think I might have been more nervous by now. As it was the columnist explained that the response was so overwhelming her employer had to stop her email for several days as her inbox was overwhelmed by hundreds if not thousands of emails. Of this number, 5 kids were chosen and upon learning this, the kids seemed to sense the stakes were higher. Not sure what to expect when we arrived they each were asked if they would be willing to sing while being videotaped—this footage would run simultaneously on their website so that the readers may vote on the most convincing “Hannah”. Sophia did great, due in large part to all she’s done musically leading up to this moment.

I was having a “Willy Wonka” kind of feeling as I watched the other parents, and their nervous children learn about having to sing too. I was the only father for starters and it seemed to me that several of the moms have seemed almost cajoling their kids into the whole experience, almost like stage parents do. Sophia on the other hand was given an “out” right up to the last moment; never once telling her she “had” to do anything. I further explained that in my mind, she had already “won” as far as I was concerned. She got to be treated like a celebrity, toured a newspaper, had photo shoots, met the reporter, been interviewed, etc. So whatever happens -- happens. Sophia, true to her easy spirit agreed, and never once seemed too nervous or anxious, she just rolled with it. I think it showed that we were a little less anxious too. I offered to leave the room so she wouldn’t be too self conscious during the filming of the singing portion. Knowing full well it might be easier for her if I wasn’t watching; I was peeking from behind the curtain, and could still hear her. I suspect the winner is going to get two passes to the sold out H.M. show, though it was not said. Her voice kind of surprised the production assistants, and truth be told-- me too. I know she had long been singing this album in her room, and had been taking voice lessons with her Young Singers Choir, but she really, really impressed me. I was too proud. The photographer, reporter, and videographer were blown away and they said as much. Of course this will all be online sometime next week, and the article runs Sunday November 18 in the paper.

So once the reporter heard her sing, questions arose and Sophia let it out. She told them she really does play guitar and sings too. Having taken lessons for a year now, her guitar skills have steadily increased. This year her school band told her the only guitar in the band is the bass guitar--- undeterred Sophia now plays that too, and has since gotten one. To the reporter’s delight she let slip that she’s also written 3 songs that she sings while playing her bass, and that we just so happen to be going to the studio this weekend to record them. So there it was. She was an honest to goodness musician, and not just a fan. Every kid has their moment, and this clearly was hers, as the three women were so impressed, not only with her talent and voice, but even more so by her poise and manners. With regard to her music, she has exhibited a level of songwriting and composing not usually seen in a nine year old. Sophia’s lyrics are really quite amazing, so it was that I spoke to a friend whose cousin is a sound engineer about recording her music. And that’s where we go from here, to the studio. I’m going to try and have it videotaped when she’s in the studio and then post a You Tube of the session.

We had quite a day, and for me it wasn’t really about winning anything, it was more of an affirmation to her what her writing had sparked, and all the hours of guitar and voice lessons represented. Sure, who doesn’t want to be treated like a star, or even win tickets to the hottest concert in town, as for me the winning was in watching a little person bloom through her God given abilities and talents.