Music is a state of mind with no age restrictions

Jerrie Thill (1917-2010). She’s iconic here in Los Angeles, where she performed every Sunday at a local club right into her 90s. I’m sad to report Jerrie just passed away in spring of 2010.

Born in Dubuque, Iowa, Jerrie began beating the skins at age 16. By 18, she made a living at it. Jerrie led her own all-girl  bands during the height of the swing era. As a member of Peggy Gilbert’s Dixie Bells (a group of women musicians over 60), she entered the television age, appearing on the The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Golden Girls and more.

I could say more, but it would spoil the video “Hey Jerrie” (below), her astonishing life told in song and photo clips. Allee Willis (who wrote the Friends theme and my favorite Earth, Wind & Fire song) made it a year before Jerrie passed. It’ll have you grinning from ear to ear!

Without further ado, I present l’amie JERRIE THILL!

You gotta love this video, she so reminds me of my own grandmother, Evelyn Goodsell, piano player and singer, who passed on her talent on to her own daughter my mother, Evelyn Goodsell Barrett Shields who miracaciousily passed on the the talent to her own sons hence we are known today as the GrinninBarrettBand, (William Barrett, Michael Barrett, Thomas Barrett and John Barrett) Also to mention my niece, musician Kelly Barrett percussionist, UMass Marching Band. Nephews, Christian Barrett, keyboard and guitar player and Ryan Barrett drums. By the way it’s not over yet, watching out for my niece Taylor Barrett, singer and vocalist, who has talent and unlimited potential, to carry on the with the Barrett music, and pass it own to her own generation.

Music Lives on with the Barrett Family,

Bill Barrett   rockingman30 GrinninBarrettBand