The Parlor

The children would practice playing the piano in the parlor after their homework was done. Piano lessons were not one of their favorite activities, especially after they got a music teacher who would rap their knuckles if they hit a wrong note.   A.D. became so frustrated that he slipped into the parlor one night and tried to break the piano by pounding the keys with a hammer.  The middle C key is still damaged to this day. The King family enjoyed music. They loved Sunday night family sing-alongs with Mama King playing the piano and leading the hymn singing. They also liked listening to 78 rpm vinyl records on the Victrola, especially gospel and other religious music.