‘Will sing a song for a quarter’

My handcrafted cardboard sign read, “Will sing any song for a quarter,” in purple Crayola. Sweat rolled off my nose as I stood in the hot sun holding that sign. I was about 9 years old and I was determined to be heard.

I grew up in the tiny town of Puxico, and at this time we had a population of just over 800. We lived in a small white farmhouse off of PP highway, just a few miles outside of town. The location was pretty remote, so the likelihood of me drawing a crowd was slim to none. I mean let’s just say if someone decided to stop, they were probably abducting me.

Next door to our country home was an old run-down gas station that was now utilized as storage, but the rusted-out gas pump remained. This is where I decided I would position myself for the many fans that were sure to stop. I mean I was certain after reading my sign while passing me at 55 mph on this remote stretch of highway that someone would take me up on my tremendously fair offer.

“Well, OK sis, what are you going to do if they say they want to hear ‘Wipe Out,’” my mother said jokingly, as she watched me gather my outdoor preparations.

I remember responding as seriously as I could, “Na na na na na na na na, wipe out.” She laughed, wished me luck and watched me as I shuffled out the door. I remember telling her that someday, somebody was going to want to listen to me, I just knew it.

For at least six hours that day, I held my sign perched next to that old rusted-out pump. I probably don’t have to tell you that not one person stopped to hear me sing and the only quarter I made that day came from my momma.

I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed. I had high hopes of being discovered. I just wanted people to hear me sing. But I didn’t give up. I started singing everywhere I could, the school bus, public restrooms (I mean the acoustics were stellar).

As I got older, I visited a lot of karaoke bars and performed in a lot of car concerts.

Finally, at the tender age of 38, I got the opportunity to sing in my first band, Old School. Yes, it took me a mere 29 years to be heard. But I truly believe everything in life happens when and how it is meant to happen.

You don’t need anyone else to believe in your abilities if you are passionate and determined about what you want to do. No matter how long it took me to be heard, I never gave up on my dream. Today, people listen to me all the time in one way or another, whether it be singing or writing, and sometimes I even make a few quarters.

Misty DeJournett is a staff writer at the Daily American Republic. She can be reached at mdejournett.dar@gmail.com.