I never had voice lessons. I didn’t sing in high school choir. But when I was attending Wabash College, I suddenly found myself craving all the music my parents listened to when I was growing up: Barbra Streisand, Sammy Davis, Lena Horne, Doris Day. And I would go to the Walmart or Target in Crawfordsville, Indiana (we only had two stores … lol) and grab any CDs I could find. Columbia House helped too! I may still owe them for some of those discs, come to think of it. And I’d pop the shiny objects into my Discman that plugged into a tape deck in my swanky 1986 Buick Century and sing WAY out loud as I drove. Those artists “taught” me how to sing.

A few years later, I was cast as one of the leads in The Fantasticks. My mother, who DID have formal vocal training, told me years later that she was terrified over what was about to unfold. She said that once I opened my mouth and let out a warble, she knew I was going to be ok.

And I think I love singing for the very reason that it’s always been mine. No one forcing rules or expectations on me. Just doing it the way that feels natural to me. It refills my well and brings me joy. Not sure if it does the same for the audience, but that doesn’t stop me. Everyone needs something like that in their lives.

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So, I leave you, in my way, with a song. “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell became one of my mom’s favorite tunes before she died. And I think I know why. In this beautiful yet poignant moment of transition in my life, its lyrics speak to me in a way they never did before. I hope they will hold some meaning for you as well.

Here’s the video of me giving the ballad’s melancholy joy a go.

Thank you for this opportunity to help bring something back to a community that has given me so much. 2023 will be a highlight of my career and life. And thank you for letting me be my weird and open-hearted self. That may be the best gift of all.

Love you…

P.S. For those wondering how the whole “playlist” thing got started, one more, to bring us full circle: “AmpliMix … the OG” on Spotify and Apple Music. This was created about a year ago this time for our LMA leaders kick-off (regional presidents, international board, committee co-chairs and SIG co-chairs). It only feels right to share this far and wide. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy the positive vibes here – and maybe use this mix to ring in the New Year!

P.P.S. And for completists out there (like me!) here’s the full list of this year’s playlists. Thanks for letting me share the soundtrack in my head with you all year long!

• #LMA23: AmpliMix … the OG – Spotify and Apple
• #LMA23: AmpliMix Strikes Back – Spotify and Apple
• #LMA23: AmpliMix Summer Sizzle Edition – Spotify and Apple
• #LMA23: Hotter Than July AmpliMix – Spotify and Apple
• #LMA23: Back to (Old) School AmpliMix – Spotify and Apple
• #LMA23: Icons AmpliMix – Spotifyand Apple
• #LMA23: Happy Haunts AmpliMix – Spotify and Apple
• #LMA23: Stay Classy AmpliMix – Spotify and Apple

Keep on dancin’! Music is my love language …

Love you!

Roy

Roy E. Sexton

President, 2023 LMA International Board of Directors

Director of Marketing, Clark Hill

Check out the LMA Fireside Chat with LMA 2023 President Roy Sexton, and President-Elect Kevin Iredell, moderated by Interim CEO Ashley Stenger, reviewing LMA’s successful 2023 and looking ahead to 2024! 

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