FROM FAR CORNERS OF THE GLOBE

It was way back in 1970 on a test transmission of an FM station in Dubai, then a sheikhdom in Trucial States of Oman, now known as the United Arab Emirates, where I first heard Anne Murray’s songs on the radio. Her records and cassettes, and later, CDs were available in music shops there.

My family and I hail from a music loving community of Goa, a Portuguese colony for 451 years in India till 1961. Anne Murray’s hits, 'You Needed Me' and 'Could I have this dance' have been the most popular songs sung at weddings in Goa and at dance galas in the U.A.E. where we lived and worked for many years.

My wife, my three children and I immigrated to Canada in 1998. And of course we brought along with us modest collections of Anne Murray's records, tapes and CD's.

Recently, my children presented to my wife and myself, as a surprise gift in advance for Mother’s Day & Father’s Day. These were in fact tickets to see and hear Anne Murray at the concert in Toronto on Friday, 25th April, 2008.

This was indeed a great moment for us. Through the corner of my eye I saw my wife crying at the concert - I don’t know whether she noticed me - while I tried to hide my own tears. For us it was like a life-long dream come true. It is a concert that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. It has been a long musical journey of sorts for us listening to Anne Murray’s beautiful voice - first on the radio, then cassettes and LP's (38 years ago) and later CD's and finally live in concert. In the 80’s we often saw her on TV in the U.A.E.

My children grew up hearing her songs that I played at home through the years. I was also a DJ playing at weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and first communion parties and 'Blue Bird' was my signature opening number on many occasions.

My youngest daughter, Dahlia Fernandes, 25, is a budding singer/song-writer. Presently she is competing in the Young Asian Idol Singing Competition in Ontario.

This is a tribute to Anne Murray, appreciation and gratitude for bringing joy in our life through her songs.

Tony FernandesAuthor of: GOA – MEMORIES OF MY HOMELAND
(Poems & Short Stories) Published in Canada

Mississauga
Ontario