Page 23 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2020- Online Magazine

years.” He also adds, “We all know she is the ‘intelligent contribution to the community spans over 40 years and
glue’ that keeps everything running smoothly.” touches every generation. Their chemistry on and off the
stage has stayed the same since high school … they’ve
“My parents were on the cutting edge of contemporary taught us the joy and healing that music can bring.” Kenny
Christian music in the 80s. They helped carve out a place for Maines added one final assessment, “They are just such
the genre, and Dad is still innovative. The church he started great human beings.”
nine years ago is really more of a Bible study with open
discussion.” The following excerpt from the book by Cary * p. 201-202 – Almost Like a Professional by Cary C. Banks
Banks backs up Micah’s assessment: “In the early 1980s, ** Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon is a game based on the “six
Junior and Mickie … left the secular music scene and began degrees of separation” concept that all people are six, or
a music ministry. The Vasquez family … has blessed several fewer, social connections away from each other.
churches in the Lubbock area. In 2011, Junior and Mickie,
along with some close friends, established The Gathering at
Spirit Ranch Church.” *

In addition, “Dad has been writing songs from his teens,
and he has written over a hundred jingles for local
businesses.” (Ed. Note: e.g., Carpet Tech, Comfort Masters,
Roof Masters, Stars & Stripes)

Youngest sister Tori has also followed in her parents’
footsteps. Although the successful singer/songwriter has
taken some time off from recording and performing, “the
quarantine has gotten some wheels turning.” Married
and living in Austin now, Tori was enthusiastic about
contributing to an article in honor of her parents.

“They were so busy but always present. We always had
dinner together, and even after we were grown, we
always did the Sunday pot roast thing. They have always
been the most consistent thing in my life. Mom was
my first voice teacher and my first best friend. One of
my most cherished memories is waking up to my mom
playing the piano.”

“Dad and I have always connected musically.” After
thinking for a while, Tori decided that her favorite
category of music is folk rock, which sounds like
her dad’s description of his own music: “acoustic-
driven, harmony-laden, folk rock”. “He is so gifted,
and everyone knows and loves him. I always think of
[Lubbock in terms of] six degrees of Junior Vasquez.” **

Another thing she appreciates about her parents: “They
were always supporters, not controllers. They were not
pushy ‘stage-parents’. They wanted me to do what I
wanted, not what they wanted. I wasn’t the easiest kid,
but they were there for me every step of the way.”

“They are encouragers and motivators; incredibly
kind, very humble.” This short article can’t contain all
the praise the Vasquez children have for their famous
parents, but Mikaela sums it up: “My parents’ musical

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