Tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree….

Music floated out through the open front door of the cheery little cottage. “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ’Round the Ole Oak Tree…” drifted across the yard, and I couldn’t help but smile. It was one of Grandma’s favorite songs. Ever since Tony Orlando and Dawn began their weekly television show, she never missed an episode. I’m convinced she was one of their biggest fans.

When I spent time with my grandparents, evenings were often reserved for television and togetherness. They loved Hee Haw, The Grand Ole Opry, and The Lawrence Welk Show. Grandma delighted in the music and the dancing, her eyes lighting up as familiar tunes filled the room, while Grandpa laughed at the corny jokes and silly skits. Those evenings felt warm and easy, wrapped in laughter and comfort. How I wish I could spend just one more day in that sweet little cottage with them, listening to music and sharing quiet joy.

The country classics of Hank Williams, Charley Pride, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, and Glen Campbell often played on the stereo in the living room of my family home. We grew up on country music, its melodies woven into everyday life—playing during chores, drifting through open windows, and setting the tone for family gatherings. When I listen to my family stories, music is always there, underscoring each memory and moment. It has long played an important role in my family, connecting generations through shared songs and familiar voices.

Grandma and Mama would often reminisce about the community dances in Hotchkiss, Colorado. Neighbors gathered in crowded halls, carrying plates of homemade desserts and jars of lemonade to share. Someone would strike up a tune, others would grab an instrument, and before long the room would come alive as couples spun and boots shuffled across the floor. From the stories I heard, many members of the Allen clan played instruments—and most of them learned by ear. Music wasn’t just entertainment; it was a thread that stitched the family and community together, a rhythm passed down through stories, songs, and memories that still linger today.