My kids didn’t go into classical music. They appreciate it, and I know they occasionally listen to it. Some of my colleagues have children who went to music schools and are playing professionally. It’s not all that uncommon, really. Some of my colleagues really encouraged (pushed?) their children to pursue music. Dan and I didn’t really do that. Sometimes I feel that we did our kids a disservice by not being more diligent about their music lessons (both boys played trumpet, and Kelsey and Jameson also sang). I was never good about making them practice or getting them to their lessons. (And here I hound my students and parents … how dare I, eh?) Brandon does do music (not considered “classical”) under the name Altair Nouveau. Jameson continues to sing and plays guitar, but only, as far as I can tell, for his own enjoyment. I’m not sure if Kelsey sings for fun or not. Guess I should ask. (She’s also a fine whistler!)

So how many of you professional musicians have children that have gone into this as well? Just curious!

What caused me to ponder this was reading about a producer of hip hop:

Music has played a major role in Drumma Boy’s life since birth. Born to a mother who was a classically trained opera singer and a father who was the first black person to hold the first chair in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Drumma Boy was destined to carve a spot for himself in the music industry. After attending the University of Memphis and honing his production skills, he moved to Atlanta and soon became one of the most sought after producers in hip-hop. In a recent interview with rolling out, Drumma Boy talked out about his rich musical background and the producers who inspire him. –a.r.

Beyond growing up in a family that embraced classical music, what other components have inspired your production?

I came up playing the piano and clarinet. I could’ve been in the orchestra, but I really wanted to mix the best of both worlds in hip-hop with the street aspect of what we had going on in Memphis, [Tenn.]. It was the hunger and pain of knowing that you have to make something out of nothing. That’s the foundation of gospel, blues, R&B and funk.

How has your background given you an advantage as a producer?

I started off making orchestra pieces and I did a couple joints for my school that helped teach kids how to remember quadratic formulas. But I was also capable of making music for acts such Yo Gotti, 8 Ball & MJG, and Three 6 Mafia. I made a name for myself in rap, but now I’m exploring avenues with artists such as Mary J. Blige, Goapele, and Keyshia Cole. My background in music is really an advantage for me because I have done the hardest part by learning different forms of music. Everything else is now second nature.

I read it here. This caused me to see who his father is. He is James Gholson of the Memphis Symphony. His mother, Billie Gholson, was an opera singer.