I Got It From My Mama - Is Musical Talent Hereditary?

Is musical talent hereditary? Is there a special gene that is passed down through one's bloodline? If you looked at the family of Hall of Fame's Country Star Betty Logan, one would think so! Betty Logan along with her sister Christine, formerly known as the Logan Sisters Were inducted into Country Music's Hall of Fame in 1991.The Logan Sisters had their own T.V. Show and also appeared on the Dick Clark Show several times in the early 60's and is known for her song "Just A Little" that was written for famous country singer Brenda Lee.

Miss E.Gail Cason, The Daughter of Miss Betty Logan, is making a name for herself! She just one first place in a new monthly online talent competition, it looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! Miss Cason's Siblings were also blessed with great talent and musical ability. They have their very own band called The Dean Dollar Band, and have opened up for famous acts such as Hootie and the Blowfish, Waylon Jennings, The Charlie Daniels Band and Wide Spread Panic to name a few. Miss E. Gail's niece, Ashley Quarles, the newest rising star of this multi-talented family of singers and songwriters is following right along in her grandmother's footsteps!

Given this and other countless examples such as: The Jacksons, The Osmonds, The Judds, Nat King and Natalie Cole (and yes, even the Jonas brothers) people have often assumed that musical talent runs in families. A study of 15 Finnish families, published in the Journal of Medical Genetics, provides the first proof that musical ability is indeed linked to genes.

But there are those who would disagree. Musical talent has been seriously questioned by these scientists, Richard Howe of the University of Exeter, Jane Davidson of the University of Sheffield and John Sloboda of Keele University. They have taken the position that talent is a "myth "and have examined the evidence that talent exists and concluded that this concept does not explain high levels of achievement in music or anything else.

If genetic talent doesn't exist, how can we explain high, even exceptional, levels of achievement in performing music? Whether or not "musical talent" exists or is a convenient "myth", most would likely agree that achievement requires intensive and sustained study to reach ones full potential. Is there a gene pool of talent in your family? Why not upload a video of yourself performing in an online talent competition? Who knows you could be the next rising star waiting on the horizon!

The 2B Awards, a monthly online talent competition where anyone can showcase their talent by uploading a video of themselves performing for FREE!! Each month the winner receives a cash prize of at least 1,000 dollars with the chance of getting discovered! Free to register, free to upload, free to vote!