Photo By Tech. Sgt. Garrett Cole | YOKOSUKA, Japan (Oct. 8, 2022) members of the band Penny Pagan perform during the...... read more read more
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Music is a universal language that has connected people for thousands of years. This tradition of passing down musical knowledge through generations continues to this day.
Families of musicians typically instill this love for the medium in their children from an early age and playing together as a family is one way to bond and strengthen those ties.
Such is the case with Mila Cabradilla, a senior at Kinnick High School onboard Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Cabradilla sings and plays the drums in the rock band, Penny Pagan.
Cabradilla's father, Jerry, introduced her to music at an early age, and she has been singing and playing instruments since then.
"Music is important to me because I have been around it my entire life," said Cabridilla. "I can still remember being five years old and hearing my dad just playing with his band. It's always been a constant in my life, and I've always been around my dad being in bands. "
Cabradilla got her start on the drums in the middle school band, where she played until high school. While in high school, she participated in other school activities, but her passion for music was still a driving force in her life.
"I remember when I was younger," said Cabradilla, "I used to sit at the top of the stairs, listening to my dad play with his band because my mom would make me go to sleep. I wished so badly to be singing and playing instruments down there with them that I would just tap my foot at the top of the stairs wishing that one day, I would be able to do that."
One day her dream became a reality as she got the chance to play with her father in Penny Pagan.
"Originally, I wasn't even supposed to be in this band," said Cabradilla. "I went with my mom to sit in to interview a drummer, and he actually didn't show up. That night I practiced with them and ended up as their drummer."
Penny Pagan is a band consisting of Larry Criner (bass), N6 department head, Bill Revak (guitar), Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) Far East N2, Jerry Cabradilla (vocals/guitar), lead engineer Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific, and Mila on drums/vocals.
The band's diverse set lists consist of classic rock and top hits. Criner said their music style is "everyone's favorite radio station." They have played many times, both at CFAY special events and off-base venues and are always looking to share their music with audiences.
The band's conception sprouted from the CFAY Musicians Collaborative, a group that would congregate in the C9 conference room for jam sessions.
"The Collaborative was started by a teacher who had this idea that she was pursuing that she had seen at another base," said Criner. "But we had to stop for a bit when Covid happened. But once we got clear to be around people again, I reached out and said that we needed to get back together. So, Bill and Jerry had started coming back, and we played for a couple of weeks, and we had a room full of guitar players, so I started playing bass."
After getting back into the rhythm of playing as a group again, they decided that they wanted to perform and signed up to play at a music festival in Tokyo. As they prepped for the festival, their drummer had to back out, so they were on the hunt for a new drummer.
"Our drummer at the time had missed the first practice and told us that he wasn't going to be able to play," said Criner. "Then Jerry said, 'Mila plays drums,' and she filled in and knocked it out of the park. She’s a solid drummer, a solid vocalist, and brings a lot of positive energy, and we need that."
Since joining the band, Mila has brought more than just her musical talent, she's added a new dynamic to the rest of the group.
"She keeps us grounded and motivated," said Revak. "She's always upbeat. We all work for a living on base, and we have leadership management jobs, and our days aren't always pleasant. So, getting here and seeing Mila being positive, it kind of helps us get over our days. She balances the entire group."
In the Cabradilla household, music is a tradition, and Jerry seeing his daughter envelope that passion furthers the inspiration.
"I have goosebumps when I play with her," said Jerry. "I grew up with my parents singing, and that's how I was influenced at a very young age. They, my parents, were always on stage singing at family parties and gatherings. That's why I picked up the guitar, and that's why I did it."
Just as Mila is fulfilling her dream, she is also fulfilling a dream of her father.
"I didn't think it would have such a huge impact on my daughter, but I'm glad it did," said Cabradilla. "It's always been a dream to have that happen. But as a dad, you know, when you have children, and you don't want to feel like they were forced into it. I'm just glad it's happening in real-time."
Mila is an excellent example of how the musical generation can be the bridge to stronger connections with others. The sense of closeness that comes from music and sharing what you love with others is something that will never go away. It is essential to connect with people around the world because they may not always understand each other, but all people have a way of coming together and having an understanding by sharing their passion and talent.
Penny Pagan will be the opening act at the Yokosuka Friendship Day on Oct. 16. Come out and show your support.
| Date Taken: | 10.12.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.31.2022 20:42 |
| Story ID: | 432375 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 90 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, The Connection of Music, by TSgt Garrett Cole, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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