The above picture by Jaro Hess published in 1930, was given as a baby gift from my cousin, Robert Warren Camp, and hung over my bed from the time I was born. It is now in my office, and there is rarely a day that I don’t look at it. It has greatly influenced my life. It was the gift of Imagination and lets me go anywhere at any time and be whatever I want.
Music has inspired me to every emotional level…and has filled all of my senses.
Laughter has always been my best friend…right along with Jesus. It has also gotten me in trouble with both.
My Mother, Athol Hill Northam, besides the love of music and laughter, taught me that “the world owes no one a living…it was here first” and I would be “judged by the company I kept.” She also taught me that there is humor in any situation…if you look for it.
My Father, John Teter Northam, taught me to have a hard work ethic, to be honorable, to have Christian principles; that I would be better alone than in bad company and that there is nothing that I can’t do if I set my mind to it.
My Life has taught me to wonder what on earth I’m doing for heaven’s sake? Entertainment, whether through acting, singing, writing: songs, books, plays, poetry, music, or cooking or whatever I do…if I can give only one person a smile, or make them laugh, or feel good for a little while, or inspire them to be all they can be…that’s my gift…and I want to share with everyone.
Life is not a dress rehearsal…it’s the main performance! So give it all you’ve got, keep going…don’t cost a thing!
Tom Northam