Stanton Dossett, from Shreveport, Louisiana, grew up surrounded by music that shaped his earliest memories. His grandmother, Mary Lou Davis, was a talented pianist and composer who filled his childhood with original songs and lullabies. Stanton’s mother continued that tradition, playing classical pieces—especially Chopin—which made music a daily presence in their lives. The gentle humming of Hattie Shepherd, the family’s housekeeper, also added warmth to his childhood.

At age nine, Stanton’s mother taught him the chords to “St. Louis Blues,” inspiring him to learn guitar and make music for himself. These early experiences created an enduring love for music that remains part of Stanton’s story today.

Thank you, Stanton, for sharing this childhood music memory -- as well as one of your grandmother's original lullabies -- with Confetti Park.

Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

Irma Thomas, the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," still remembers her first time singing on stage. It happened at New Star school in Greensburg, Louisiana, during a school play of Cinderella. Her teacher asked her to sing “Tennessee Waltz” for the audience.

Irma wasn’t nervous—she was excited. As she sang, she realized how much she loved performing. The applause she received made her feel proud and happy .

That first performance sparked Irma’s passion for musical performance. She may not recall every detail, but she’ll never forget how it felt to express herself through song! Her experience is a reminder that sometimes all it takes is one moment to discover something you love.

Thank you, dear Irma Thomas Jackson, for sharing this childhood music memory with Confetti Park

Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.

A professional performer and New Orleans teacher, Donald Lewis, Jr. has shared his stories with scores of Louisiana children over the decades atschools and libraries around the state. He's delighted New Orleans audiences in dozens of theatrical performances over the years. And many have heard his sonorous deep voice over the airwaves on WWOZ and WRBH 88.3 FM, Radio for the Blind and Print Handicapped.

In this childhood music memory, Donald shares how his love of the stage first began.

Donald was living in Texas when he was five or six years old, and he had the lead role in a performance of “She’ll Be Coming around the Mountain."

It was a little skit created just for kids. The children were dressed in cowboy hats and riding around on mop horses, and Donald was proud to belt out the lines of the song.

It was that moment, in front of the audience, that he got the acting and performance bug!

Donald did not want to leave the stage. After the performance was over, and at the end of the night while all the people for leaving the auditorium, Donald ran from his parents and went back to the stage to start his performance all over.

Donald's mother had to scoop him up and pull him away from the stage. And that was Donald’s first glorious introduction to the stage limelight.

Thanks, Donald, for sharing this fun childhood memory!!!

Confetti Park is supported by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and Music Rising at Tulane University.