Demographic Information
Where were you born? When were you born?
I was born in Dayton Ohio in Montgomery County in the late 1950’s.
What was it like then/there? What important political and or social events do you
remember hearing about or reading about in the newspaper when you were growing up?
How did you hear about those events (which aspects of literacy contributed to those
events /experiences?
There were tough times back then, particularly for Black Americans during the
Civil Rights Movement. I remember attending the August 28, 1963 March on
Washington with my mother, brother and sister. It was that march that I heard
famous “I Have A Dream” speech by Martin Luther King, Jr.
From what I know, the Dayton Daily News archives have a picture on the front page
with my brother, sister and marching. The movement wasn’t discussed at school,
but I heard a lot about it from my
mother, grandmother and family friends. I don’t remember getting a newspaper or
magazine, except the Jet Magazine that I looked through when I would visit my
grandmother.
Early Exposure to Literacy
Can you tell us any stories about when/how/why you learned to read and write?
Any particular stories from your teenage and adult years?
[Keep in mind (while listening to stories): How did that make you feel? What did that
experience make you think about school and /or reading/writing?]
I can remember learning to read in first grade. My first grade teacher Mrs.
Landsdowne love to share stories teaching us to read phonetically. I’m not sure that
this is the way children to it today. We didn’t have fancy expensive books only the
make shift pamphlets with sight words and a few stories. My mother was a single
mother with 7 children and didn’t spend a lot of time reading to us where trying to
make ends meet. Mrs. Landsdowne was a breath of fresh air.
As a teenager I only had time to read what was required of me in high school like
William Shakespeare, Othello, and Mark Twain. I didn’t really care for stories of
that nature, but I love non-fiction and biographies that depict real life experiences.
As an adult, I read a lot of books that I could relate to such as “The Color Of
Water” and the Ditch Diggers Daughter” both featured in Oprah Winfrey’s book
club. I do like reading the newspaper, magazines, and other as an adult.
School Age Exposure to Literacy
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As a student, what subject did you like best? Least? Why? Can you tell us any
stories?
** Do you remember any of your teachers and the role they played in your
literacy activities --- either positive or negative? Can you tell us any stories?
My favorite subject was Drama/Acting/ and History. Especially Black
History that was offered when I entered Junior High School. Ironically, my
Black History teacher was one the first at the time to teach Black History.
She later married my husband’s first cousin and her brother became the
Pediatrician to my children.
I remember her giving homework assignments to read history events for
classroom discussion. I enjoyed learning and reading the various topics and
events. I enjoyed Biology. Perhaps my worst subject that I disliked was
Math.
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Do you remember any favorite books? Can you tell us any stories?
I remember reading the poems of Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Invisible Man by
Langston Hughes, and I Don’t Know Why the Cage Bird Sings by Maja
Angelou. I preferred these types of books because I could identify with parts
of them.
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How did you use writing as a student? How do you use writing now? Can you tell
us any stories?
As student, I think I loved writing more than I did reading. Writing events
on paper to help me express my feelings. I love writing poems and as I got
older I discovered I wasn’t bad at song writing.
I am a songwriter now. I’ve written several songs that are now playing on
XM Satellite/SIRUS radio and national & international Blues radio stations.
A true story: I really didn’t discover my song writing abilities until way into
my adulthood.
Optional:
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What did your friends think about writing and reading when you were young? As
a teenager? Can you tell us any stories about this?
Can you tell us a story about a time when you felt that you struggled with reading
or writing?
I grew up in the inner-city. I can’t remember many of my friends wanting to
read in elementary, junior or high school. They did however enjoyed music
and the latest styles and fads. I also remember in home economics when we
took sewing or cooking we had to read directions for both to finish your
projects and pass the class.
I’ve always been a good reader but I’m not sure how strong my
comprehension was. Comprehension to me is very important part of reading
and it wasn’t emphasized very much.
Music Specific Questions
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When did you start to get involved in music? Did you learn music at
school? Home? Church? Did you learn music by ear or playing with
others or the radio, or by learning to read sheet music?
I was born into a musical family of musicians, singers and songwriters. I can
remember singing as young as 6 years old, when my mother would pay me a
quarter to sing a song for visitors, neighbors, and friends. I was raised
singing in the church gospel choir. We couldn't afford piano/voice lessons so
I had to rely on my natural gift from God to guide me. All through my
elementary, junior high and high school I participated in musical events.
I sang in the Girls Glee Club, out of school performances, and many choirs
and musicals. We couldn’t afford a record player so I would play my 45’s at
my grandmother’s house. I had a small radio I got for Xmas when I was 10
or 11 that I listened to everyday. I would imitate great singers like Mahalia
Jackson, Aretha Franklin and others.
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How did music interact with your school work as a teenager? Did you
take music or play music at school? With friends” Family? Church or
community members?
My father was Tommy Tucker who wrote and sang the 1964 classic “Hi Heel
Sneakers” that has been recorded by many other artists including Elvis
Presley, the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin and the Beatles. You can type in
Tommy Tucker Hi Heel Sneakers in Google to read more. His family was
very musical. He played the clarinet in school and later learned to play the
piano and compose songs.
I sang in the gospel choir at church until way into my adulthood. I also was a
part of the local Theatre community where I sing lead roles and musical
parts. I also married into a musical family.
I’ve sang many weddings and special events. Currently have a Blues Band.
Type “Teeny Tucker” in Google.
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What did others—teachers, family, friends. Etc- think about the music you
played? What did you think?
My friends and family love my music and they try to attend every gig I
perform. Blues is my choice of music but that was not always the case. When my
father passed away in 1983, ten years later my fahter’s German promoter and
manager of Blues music ask me listen to some of the foremothers of the Blues, learn
some of their songs and he would bring me overseas to perform at the various Blues
Festivals.
I was a top 40 singer or only sing songs I learned in the gospel choir. My desire to
go to Europe resulted in learning 10-15 Blues songs from Etta James, Laverne
Baker, and many other female Blues artists. The rest is history and I’ve been
singing and songwriting Blues every since.
I am currently working on my 4th CD to be released at the end of March 2010.
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Do you write music?
I am a songwriter. My new CD I wrote 9 of the 12 songs.
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Do you use computers or other digital technologies for reading and
composing?
I use the computer for all of my music endeavors. I have a site at
ww.teenytucker.com and Facebook, Twitter , CD Baby.com and others. Please
check it out.
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What do you think the role of music should be in schools? Why?
I am a strong advocate for music in the schools. I will be working with the
Columbus Public Schools this year with Blues in the Schools. I will also be working
with the children in the Monterey Bay Area in California in June 2010 where we
will be performing at the Monterey Bay Blues Festival.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS:
We also encourage you to add as many other items as you’d like to your literacy
narrative. Each item you submit should help illustrate or explain your literacy narrative:
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Please see scanned photos at www.teenytucker.com and Facebook. I
can also send you some photos.
I have old report card and certificates
I have CD’s you listen to
Check You-tube for my Vocal Expressions/Vocal Vibrato and Vocal
Dynamic you tube lessons
See some stories and journals I’ve written on www.teenytucker.com/
My Space (Blog). I can also provide others upon request.
We can talk about more once I learn what you are doing.
NOTE: My daughter is Brittany Westbrook a reporter for Channel 10 TV. She is an
adamant reader and writer since she was 3 years old. She can be reached at
Brittany.westbrook @10tv.com