About Me

Born in Wilmington, NC December 4, 1957, my parents resided on Harbor Island near Wrightsville Beach, NC. My beautiful Mother, Capitola Katherine Jones Pridgen died at age 52 when I was 15 from Lou Gerig's Disease (ALS), and my Father, Woodrow Bernard Pridgen Sr died at age 78 when I was 33 from Small Cell Carcinoma (Lung cancer of the vicious type).

I have three Brothers. From my Mother's first marriage to John Strickland of Jacksonville, FL, my Oldest Brother Richard Douglas Strickland now resides in Wilmington, NC and spent his life working as the Business Manager for my Dad for awhile, as well as entertaining the town as a DJ at local beach clubs. He also was a radio personality known as "Little Richard" on the local beach music station in Wilmington. Richard is a well known and beloved personality in the community still today. His health is failing with emphasemia, but his since of humor is in tact. He'll always be my big brother!

Then there is John Fitzgerald Strickland. He lives (last we heard) in or near Philadelphia, PA as a Car salesman for a Dodge Dealership. He doesn't return calls, so I don't know much about him past the fact that he is doing "alright".

My only blood relative is my brother Woodrow Bernard Pridgen Jr, who goes by Woody unless he is in a business setting, then it's "Woodrow". He is an employee of the Bosch Coproration in Fort Wayne right now, has 5 children who all live in North Carolina ranging from ages 6-18 and are the apple of their Daddy's eye.

I had a Sister Margaret Sue Strickland, who I never met. She died before I was born. She died at age 5 and I dont' even know any more about it other than she accidentally got hold my my grandfather's medicine for his legs (a liquid topical) and drank it, causing her death. Back in the 50's there were no warning labels.

My other Sister, Nancy Rae Pridgen Furr, who was my absolute best friend in the entire universe, died in 1994 after battling various forms of cancer. She began with Colon Rectal cancer..beat that, then had breast cancer, one mastectomy..beat that, then reoccurred on the other breast which led to another mastectomy, beat that, then the cancer came back again and took her life. She was a fighter and had the best sense of humor you can imagine. She was a practical joker too...she taught me everything I know about that! hahahah. She had a devoted husband Roger C Furr and they lived in Arlington, VA. I've lost touch with Roger, but wish I knew where he was; as well as her children Donna Priest, Kelly Furr and Michelle, Rick and Randy Furr.

Then there's me. The baby of the bunch, as it were. Born in 1957, a classic, of course. I spent 6 years in the Coast Guard and the rest of my life as a Mom to who now is one of the Few, The Proud, the Marines. You could have knocked me over wth a feather when he called to tell me he enlisted. His Dad and I thought the military would be good for him..but THE MARINES? Geesh!

I am a 1976 Graduate of John T Hoggard High School. My activities included Navy JROTC, Tennis Team, Radio Club and my FAVORITE subject, believe it or not, was History. I was the Girls Drill Team Commander for the ROTC in my Senior Year, after being the Assistant Commander (XO) in my Junior year. I got all google-eyed with the Coast Guard Recruiter, Larry R. Hammond, now retired LCDR living in NC, and HAD to be apart of that Guard! hahaha - I actually met many wonderful people and enjoyed many various locations while in the Coast Guard. It wasn't as "military" as people think, except Boot camp, but once that was over, it was a great foundation for learning, building friendships and learining all about team work.

I'm divorced now, still looking for Mr Right, but I think I'm more into the "friends with benefits" thing than considering marriage again. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), but I think they have forgotten me or find me to be a less desireable member of the flock since I smoke and won't quit. Oh well, I still believe!

My brother Woody was my inspiration, actually. He was in a band, or led one ever since I can remember. The perverbial "Garage Band" playing everything from Led Zepplin, Steppenwolf, The Beatles, Jim Croce, and Pink Floyd. I tried to play piano, but I don't really have a knack for it. But I loved to sing. Never did get a chance to "blow" except in church choir where I soloed in many a service. I found myself volunteering in the Charleston SC Symphony Orchestra just to be near the concerts and catch as much culture as I could handle. I found I loved it, and in finding that I loved it, met many nice musicians who shared their love for music with me.

So I've always been a groupie, wishing I could do something to help the "scene" and those in it. Just kind of stepped into it I guess you could say....

Then came a local musician who befriended me, we became close and he introduced me to wonderful people in music in this community of Fort Wayne. The musicians and I sparked firendships, discussed the difficulties that they encountered, we brainstormed, and before you know it I had a television show dedicated to the Independent Artists of our community. DIAMOND ACOUSTICS PRESENTS "A Resonating Experience". It was a blast..then I fell ill, and then the show fell off the map. but I still have the tapes of some of the better ones if you ever want to come over for movie night!

So one thing led to another as I found myself invited to serve on the Baord of the Friends of the Philharmonic. I produced the only concert of it's kind at the Embassy Theatre (everyone said it couldn't be done) but even with all of the Stage Hand nightmares, I think for those involved, it was the richest expereience they have had performing to date. OK, that might be a stretch, but if they sign the guestbook they can tell ya!)


				*Diamond Acoustics* *About Me*



	Home \| Mission Statement \| Diamond Acoustic Educational Scholarship Fund \| Local Indie Artists \| Favorite Links \| About Me \| My Resume \| Contact Me