Music in My Heart: My Journey with Melody

After dinner, we hear Dwayne’s car chug to a stop out front. And before he can even ring the doorbell, Melody and I are halfway out the door. We slide into the backseat, and Melody wonders if we might see someone famous at the studio. Maybe The Temptations, or The Supremes. I’m happy I finally recognize some of the Motown stars. Dwayne says The Three Ravens might be there. He winks at us in his rearview mirror.

At first, I don’t get the joke, and then I remember that Dwayne’s band is called The Three Ravens. When the car backfires, Melody says what she really wonders is if we’re ever going to make it to the studio in this car. She asks if we’re leaving a trail of smoke. Dwayne smiles and says the car is old, but as soon as his album starts selling, he’ll buy something newer. Maybe a Ford Mustang like the rich producers at the studio. And then, the car backfires again, and he smacks his steering wheel and sits back down in his seat, laughing with us.

I expected the recording studio to being a big office building, but instead, it looks like a small house with two front doors and a big picture window between them. A sign over the window reads Hitsville U.S.A. Excitement ripples through my body. Will we hear some hits tonight?

Melody and I follow Dwayne through the door, and a teenage guy greet us. Melody says that it’s Artie, one of The Three Ravens. Artie leads us through a maze of rooms and hallways to the rehearsal room, where I meet Phil, the last raven. I’m also surprised to see a drummer and a piano player. Melody explains those other two musicians are part of Motown’s house band, the Funk Brothers. They play during recordings and rehearsals. They’re really good. They can play anything.

I watch the man at the piano. He seems super talented. I try to imagine recording a song with the musicians here at Hitsville. My stomach flip-flops at the thought, knowing that the recorded song would be heard by millions of people.

Dwayne snaps his fingers, breaking my daydream. It’s time to go. The Three Ravens line up in a row. As the drummer finds a beat, Dwayne steps forward and begins to croon in his high voice. Artie and Phil dance behind him, moving like mirror images of each other.

Melody sings and swings from her chair beside me. I’m not the only one who notices, too. Because after The Three Ravens finish, Artie says that we could use a couple more backup singers. Dwayne catches on and says The Temptations usually have five singers. How come we only have three? He asks us if we would like to sing back up.

Melody instantly jumps up and stands behind Artie and Phil, but my bottom is glued to the chair. They all stare at me. My face starts to burn. Melody says that it’ll be fun. It’s my chance to sing in an actual recording studio! My cheek twitches, and I smile nervously. It’d be pretty cool, but I’m not a very good singer. Then, Artie, Phil, and Melody, ask for just one song. They all start saying and singing words of encouragement.

I hesitate, but finally, I laugh and stand up, mostly so they all stop singing and talking to me. I just need to sing softly. Just like I did at Mrs. Porter when The Supremes were on TV. So I do. I whisper the words. And soon I get lost in the swirl of voices around me. But as the song comes to an end, I realize what I’m doing. I’m singing with Motown stars at Hitsville U.S.A. And now, I’m grinning like crazy.

The Three Ravens are halfway through the third song when a woman pokes her head into the room and asks if we’re ready to go across the street. Dwayne checks the clock and says we’d better wrap it up. I ask Melody what is across the street, and she says it’s the Artist Development. It’s like a school where musicians learn about everything besides music: how to dress, dance, act, and how to talk to reporters. I’m surprised they learn all that, and Melody nods. Motown stars do. That’s why they look so polished. I think about The Supremes that were on TV. Maybe that’s why Diana Ross looks so elegant and graceful. She had taken lessons. My mind flashes to a poster of Zoey Gatz on my bedroom wall. She’s sticking out her tongue, which I always thought was kind of funny. But she sure doesn’t look “polished.”

A few minutes later, Melody and I are watching a man with a gray beard teach The Three Ravens choreography. Artie and Phil are practicing their footwork, crossing one foot in front of the other and spinning in a low circle. When Artie wobbles, I expect him to laugh at himself. But he doesn’t. He’s working hard.

I turned to mention that to Melody, but she’s gone. She’s standing in the doorway, watching something across the hall. When I join her, I see in another room where a woman with a friendly face is coaching a teenage girl on how to walk gracefully. I ask if she knows the girl, and Melody says that she doesn’t, but maybe we will someday. I try to memorize the girl’s face. When I get home, I can look up the Motown stars online. Maybe I’ll find her.

The woman tells the girl to stand taller. Show that she respects herself. Because then other people will respect her, too. I whisper that that’s exactly what Grammy used to say. Just then, Dwayne steps into the hall and says he’s going to run an errand for a producer. He asks if we want to join him. we’ll be cruising in a brand-new Mustang.

Melody’s eyes light up. She’s never ridden in a Mustang before. Then she glances back at the girl taking lessons. But we’re having fun here, too. She turns to me and asks what we should do.