Everybody’s Mama, Cass

The last thing I do on the final day of every semester in my college songwriting class is play my students one last song. That song is “Make Your Own Kind of Music” — a message about following your own heart whether or not anyone else follows behind you.

This 1969 inspirational staple was written by the incomparable Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. But with her soulful spirit and mother-earth voice, nobody would argue that Mama Cass Elliot was the perfect messenger and no doubt a reason the song resonated so profoundly. She walked the walk. She certainly did make her own kind of music, literally and figuratively.

I watch my students’ faces on Zoom as they listen to her preach after a semester-long conversation about making their own kind of music. Some nod their head and smile, knowing full well why I’m playing it. I’ve actually detected a tear or two. And not just from my eyes.

Mama Cass was an iconic artist and personality who left us too soon. I happen to be friends with her daughter Owen Elliot-Kugell whose book My Mama, Cass is dropping next week. I had the joy of having Owen join us here today to talk about her (and our) beloved MAMA.

Here we go!

click to pre-order ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Join Owen for her book release at Diesel Bookstore in Brentwood 5/8 6:30PM. Get a signed copy.

Happy Mama’s Day!

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And lastly….

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