by Adrienne Escamilla

Rosanne Cash

I’m not the biggest country fan in the world, but when I learned of Rosanne Cash’s upcoming UMS concert, The List, I was set on attending. When Rosanne Cash was 18 her father gave her a list entitled “100 Essential Country Songs.” This list of essential songs is the inspiration for Rosanne’s UMS performance. Even if you aren’t well acquainted with the music performed this Saturday, this concert is sure to be revealing. Rosanne Cash will perform songs that showcase the weight music holds in shaping a person’s identity, or in her case, her identity as an artist.

I’m always amazed at music’s ability to evoke memories and their associated emotions, like how I’m transported to the warm, simplistic summers of my childhood whenever I listen to Motown, or how I tear up with sympathy at every listening of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” I marvel at how we parallel our own experiences to themes expressed through music and are comforted by these associations. I love that these songs, their stories, remain embedded in my identity, accompanying me forever like a personal soundtrack of my life.

I can’t wait to see which songs Rosanne will choose to share with us on Saturday during The List. Her selections will certainly be memorable, partly as a tribute to her musical roots and partly as a narrative to her own unique history. I look forward to a glimpse of the world through her lyrical inspirations and perspective.

Inspired by The List performance, we at UMS want to know what’s on your list. I hope you will share your “essentials” with us! Don’t forget to include why these songs/pieces of music have made it on your list — feel free to include them in the comments below or to tweet them using the hash tag #umslobby. Who knows, maybe I’ll add them to mine.

See you Saturday at the show!

P.S. Be sure to check out The Local “Lists” Show on Thursday, September 23, at 9 pm at the Yellow Barn, 416 W Huron St, Ann Arbor, for an evening of local musicians performing songs from their lists of essential and influential music, inspired by Rosanne Cash’s The List concert.

Adrienne is UMS Ticket Services Associate. She enjoys running, coffee and the sun.