The power of music as it influences the human spirit and emotions should not be underestimated. Music has a good influence in all cultures and religions. Who has not had the knowledge of suddenly humming or moving to the rhythm of a tune heard for the first time long ago?

Many of the most important events in our lifes are commemorated with music. Those who have served in the military never lose your memory the stirring cadence of a military march. Even decades later the sound of a military band will take the old veteran back to the days when his step was sure and strong and his new found confidence in his ability to defend his country and his buddies from harm knew no bounds.

Tunes commonly are associated with important events in our lives. Perhaps it is the song that you danced to at the high school prom with the person who later became your lifetime partner that still fans your passions. Perhaps it is the tune that was playing as you danced with your new spouse at your wedding party. It might be a song or two that was sung by a famous entertainer whose performance you we are lucky enough to hear on your 30th birthday.

I still vividly remember seeing Elvis Presley perform near the finish of his career. It was my friends birthday present to herself. I was her date for the evening and never expected to be so moved by "The Kings" performance. But I was, and am still grateful to my friend for asking me to escort her to the live show.I was not that much of an Elvis fan prior to his performance but had a far greater appreciation of his talent after seeing the master at work. What a show!

The Internet has created a new important venue for music. Lyrics to just about every song that has ever been written have been archived and could be easily accessed with an Internet search. The sharing of music files has been controversial all be it widespread. Legal means of gaining access to any type of music from Internet sources are under development and have lead to an entirely new growth industry.

The power of music can be a strong unifying force in a world that badly needs unification and cooperation on issues that affect us all. Peoples of the world should rejoice in the rich heritage that music brings to every culture. The sharing of ideas and music over the Internet only enhances to the significance of music as a universal medium of communications.

People all over the world love their music. You might bet there is as much enthusiasm for a new Eminem rap song among Eminem fans as there is for classical jazz or a classical piano performance among more conventional music fans. There are different strokes for different folks as they say in Dixie and nowhere is this better illustrated than in the field of music.

However varied musicial tsstes could be amoung individuals we should ponder the common thread that music weaves between all peoples and generate upon that common ground to achieve a better data of how we are connected in our humanity.

People the world over have common basic needs and music is one of them.