In which my father forays into pop culture

My father's last journey into the world of pop culture was sometime between 1975 and 1978 before retreating into the insular world of cultural elitism - ballet, opera, and public television. Upon realizing that he would have to take a 9 hour car trip with his 4 year old granddaughter, Dad decided to brush up on his pop culture and bring a CD of "modern music" with him.

Dancing Queen? Waterloo? The Winner Takes It All?

Yes. Modern music, according to my paterfamilias is ABBA.

So, the soundtrack of the road trip went as follows - NPR (National Public Radio), ABBA Gold, Bryn Terfel, Verdi's Macbeth, Beethoven Piano Sonatas (performed by Van Cliburn), and a Laurie Berkner children's CD that I brought for Miss Peanut.

Thank God for my MP3 player. I owe the WCM big-time for that gift. Not that I don't like my Dad's taste in music (except for Bryn Terfel - he got on my nerves). I was raised with it, so even if I didn't enjoy it, I have the appropriate musical antibodies. I just like choosing my own soundtrack - which is a bit more modern and varied than Dad's, bless his heart.