Singer-songwriter Rebekah Prim uses her talents to help others Music is in Rebekah Prim’s blood. Most of her four siblings are involved in music and her parents, who were high school sweethearts, were in a Top 40 cover band that toured around the country. Prim’s father, Tony, plays guitar at Legacy Church in Plano and also performs for musical productions in the area. Her mother, Jessie, sings at church. Prim’s grandmother, a concert pianist and opera singer, performed on television and radio as a teen. “I feel like I was kind of born into it,” Prim, a North Texas singer-songwriter, who began taking piano lessons in grammar school, says. “I’ve always been interested in music. I was in the children’s choir at church and performed that way, so the love for it just kept growing — it never dwindled.” She performs these days as part of the Music on Main series, sponsored by the local nonprofit organization Melody of Hope. It is held monthly at venues throughout Frisco’s Rail District and downtown. Although she appeared in church musicals as a child, Prim says she really didn’t become interested in the theater side of performing until high school, when she joined Plano’s Chamberlain School of Ballet’s musical theater company. By Diann Nichols FEBRUARY 2023 51
“We did a lot of shows and that was extremely beneficial,” she says. “Then when I went to Collin College. I was a musical theater major and did dance classes, singing classes and acting classes.” After college, Prim focused on her singer-songwriter career. Just as she started getting back into musicals, the pandemic hit. “It was kind of like a comedy of errors at that point,” she says. Prim has since made a return to theater, performing recently in a production of The Bridges of Madison County at the WaterTower Theatre in Addison. As was the case for many artists, the pandemic proved to be a time of reflection and creativity for Prim. Song for Sleep, her piano instrumental, was birthed during those days. Song for Sleep was written to bring calm, peace and lightness during the pandemic and to help people release the anxiety many were feeling, Prim says. In that same vein, she recently released another piano instrumental called Hello Sun. (Her music is available on available on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music and Amazon.) She counts among her influences singer-songwriters Sara Bareilles and Colbie Caillat as well as Christian artists Lauren Daigle and Amy Grant. “I really love Sara Bareilles. She’s definitely one of my top influences because she’s a piano player and we have a very similar tech sound. I do a lot of her songs. Her written lyrics are just hauntingly beautiful, and so I strive to be similar in the way I write. She has just beautiful imagery that she uses.” “I was just really struggling during lockdown and quarantine with a lot of emotions. … I think a lot of us were feeling like we wanted to give back to the community but had nothing to offer.” – Rebekah Prim 52 FRISCOSTYLE.COM No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2023 • All rights reserved.
Prim also draws a lot of influence from Caillat. “She has a kind of style that is so very laid back — a very coffee shop-type style where it’s like, ‘Hey, I’m just in your living room.’ It’s not overly produced.” Much of Prim’s songwriting inspiration comes from her need to help people who are struggling. Her desire to give back and help others doesn’t stop with her music. In 2010, she founded the nonprofit Beautiful You, which facilitates events for young women who are dealing with various issues. “One of our goals is to help facilitate and make space for tough conversations,” she explains. “We talk about eating disorders. We talk about self harm. We talk about suicide. We talk about all of those things that women and teen girls especially don’t always have a safe place to talk about. We have expectations thrown on us and that leads to some of these issues that we see girls struggling with.” The organization provides support and tools to help young women cope. “By sharing stories, these women see that they are not alone. This is not a new issue. This is a `Let’s figure this out together.’” Through Melody of Hope, which helps artists find and book gigs with other nonprofits, Prim says she has the opportunity to perform at various events such as Music on Main. “It’s been really fun,” she says. “I love talking to the business owners and just getting to connect with them on a personal level … and showing them, `Hey, I’m here to support you, whatever you need.’” Melody of Hope, she says, “has been such a huge godsend. I found them two years ago and it’s essentially like a management team. They help us get bookings and find places that need people. I would love to be able to do more of that full time — to perform and sustain myself more — and this has definitely been a catapult into that.” Diann Nichols is a freelance writer, a music lover, an armchair traveler and an amateur photographer who never tires of learning something new. FEBRUARY 2023 53 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2023 • All rights reserved.
Forgive me for being a little philosophical, but I just celebrated my 89th birthday and, at my age, birthdays have a way of making me stop and look two ways — backward, remembering where I’ve been, and forward, wondering what’s next. Two recent, unrelated events made me realize how far technology has brought us in just my lifetime, and how much we have come to depend on “things” — things that were pretty much nonexistent here in Frisco 80 to 90 years ago. The first memory-shaking event happened on one of last February’s frigid winter days. I jumped in the shower and lathered up under lukewarm water, only to have it suddenly turn icy cold. That woke me up and made me appreciate things in life that we have come to take for granted, like indoor plumbing and hot running water. It turns out we had a leak under the slab and were without water for several days, taking sponge baths with water heated in a tea kettle. That brought memories of my early childhood when, with no bathtub in the house, I took my weekly Saturday night bath in a number three washtub in the middle of the kitchen floor. That water, too, was heated on the kitchen stove. Being an only child, I was always first in the tub, but I understand that, in large families, the bath water got pretty murky by the time the last bather got in. A broken hot water line would not have happened in Frisco’s earliest days. Natural gas was first piped to Frisco homes in 1923, making it possible to have hot running water in our houses. Before that it was a luxury to get hot water from a reservoir on the side of a wood-burning kitchen stove. Some of you may have shared our next event, when the big snowstorm left many of us without electricity. Our family spent 14 hours huddled in front of the fireplace, trying to read by candlelight, wishing we could watch television to see what was going on in the outside world. A power outage could not have happened here before 1913, when Brooks-Reinberg Electric Company was granted a franchise to install the first electric plant in Frisco. Anyway, a few hours without electricity and a few days without hot water gave me plenty of time to reminisce about the many changes our generation has seen and how “spoiled” we have become as we enjoy life’s comforts. Come with me as we look at a few of those changes, some positive and others negative. Some were induced by our generation while others were pretty much forced on us old timers. Editor’s Note: A version of this column appeared in the April 2010 issue of Frisco STYLE. This month, Bob Warren celebrates his 102nd birthday. By Bob Warren Changes — Good and Bad NOW AND THEN 54 FRISCOSTYLE.COM No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2023 • All rights reserved.
BOB WARREN Travel has seen dramatic changes. Our generation has come all the way from horse-and-buggy days to space travel. Land transportation has led the way with the evolution of trains and automobiles. Roads have improved from muddy trails to six- and eight-lane interstate highways. Air transportation has gone from nonexistent to the advent of giant jet liners — with open-cockpit airplanes, dirigibles and balloons in between. Methods of correspondence have changed drastically. We have gone from handwritten letters and penny post cards to emails and Facebook. Computers have changed the world. Our generation invented and improved them — and the Internet. They have replaced the encyclopedia as an information source. For directions to a location most anywhere in the civilized world, just go online and find a map — even a three-dimensional picture of many places. In your car, just type in an address, dial up a map and a “nice little lady” will tell you how to get to your destination. If you get off course, she will “recalculate” and get you back on track. Telephones have, in our time, evolved from hand-cranked wall phones — answered by a “number please” operator who would connect you to a party line — to cell phones that text, tweet, take pictures and have computing and email capability. Cell phones can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the use and the user. Some people seemingly cannot do their grocery shopping without talking on their cell phone. Makes me wonder if they’re calling for advice on what to buy or if they’re asking about the choice of “paper or plastic” bags. FEBRUARY 2023 55
Our generation has seen automobiles go from a $400 open-aired Model T, without a heater or radio, to air-conditioned, computer-operated luxury vehicles equipped with power brakes, steering and windows, costing any amount you’re willing to pay. In my lifetime, home entertainment has moved rapidly from straining to hear a crystal set radio with one set of earphones to theater-like media rooms equipped with easy chairs and big-screen, high-definition television sets with surround sound. Housing has improved from very simple, small-frame houses to multi-room brick-and-stone mansions in gated communities; from homes cooled by open windows and heated by wood burning stoves to ones with central heat and air. We have gone from outdoor toilets to luxurious bathrooms with showers, Jacuzzis and walk-in closets larger than early bedrooms. Our homes have seen many other changes. You have heard the expression, “The greatest thing since sliced bread.” Well, sliced bread is one of the positive changes our generation has witnessed. We have also seen the introduction of the microwave oven (how did we ever make it without them?), ice makers, steam irons, coffee makers, toasters, ceiling fans, gas log fireplaces, washing machines, clothes dryers, drip dry, no-iron clothes and the list goes on. Call me old fashioned if you like, but I don’t see all changes as good. For example, some of today’s music has deteriorated from soothing “big band” sounds to loud, obnoxious rap. And, with church music, the modern 7-11 songs (seven words repeated 11 times) leave many of us old timers standing at the church door longing to hear the strains of King James Version hymns such as Rock of Ages and Amazing Grace. Another disappointing change is our switch from a “fix it” to a “throw away” attitude. We, of the Depression era, are programmed to save everything from string and rags to old nuts and bolts because “We may, someday, need them to repair what’s broken.“ Armed with baling wire, Super Glue and duct tape, we will tackle anything. But today’s attitude is a lackadaisical, “Just toss it, we’ll get a new one.” My wife, Wanda, recently told me her lavatory faucet was leaking. I replied, “I’ll buy a 10-cent washer and fix it.” At the store I was told, “Sir, we only sell repair kits for that faucet. The kit is $39.95, or you can replace the whole faucet for $65.” I took the kit and fixed it. That left me visualizing landfills full of perfectly good things that just need fixing. Yes, our generation has seen many changes! Now, young fellow, if you will put your video game aside a few minutes, I’ll show you how to repair that broken cell phone. Hand me the pliers and duct tape, please. Bob Warren is a local historian, former mayor of Frisco and formerly a regular contributor to Frisco STYLE Magazine. 56 FRISCOSTYLE.COM No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2023 • All rights reserved.
COMPANY RAISES FOOD, FUNDS Frisco-based relocation company Altair Global recently announced the results of its annual holiday fundraiser. The company partnered with Move For Hunger and Renegades Soccer Club to put on a Grinch-themed holiday drive-thru food drive benefitting the North Texas Food Bank and collected 12,370 pounds of food. The fundraiser also offered an online donation option benefitting Move For Hunger, which received $14,010 in virtual donations to the event’s website. Combined, the monetary and food donations equaled more than 45,000 meals that were given to those in need during the 2022 holiday season. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Stonebriar Community Church, 4801 Legendary Drive in Frisco, is in need of volunteers to assist with its Big Pack Frisco event scheduled Feb. 23-25. The church is once again partnering with the nonprofit organization Feed My Starving Children in an effort to hand-pack 700,000 meals for youngsters in need. Volunteers ages 5 and older may participate. Additional details and sign-up information are available at stonebriar.org/global-care/fmsc/. GUILD LAUDS ARTISTS The Visual Arts Guild of Frisco recent held its inaugural Art Appreciation Awards ceremony at Hall Park in Frisco. Roger Belveal was named Artist of the Year while Kat Warwick was named Volunteer of the Year. Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea Shop Creekside — Frisco was honored as Community Partner of the Year. The Inspirational Artist of the Year Award went to Lavanya Challa and Aarushi Anandakumar took home the Emerging Artist of the Year award. Finally, Lucy Tolkunova was honored for her Outstanding Dedication and Leadership. ADDITIONAL H-E-B STORE PLANNED Supermarket chain H-E-B, which opened its first North Texas location last year in Frisco, has announced plans to construct a second location in Frisco, at the intersection of U.S. 380 and FM 423 (also known as Gee Road). The Dallas Morning News reports that a timeline for the construction of the store, which is located close to Little Elm, has not been determined. The H-E-B executives have advised the city that the newest Frisco store could feature a pair of drive-thru lanes, gasoline pumps and a car wash. TAPPING INTO FRISCO Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza — which has locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida and Nebraska, as well as Austin and Dallas — recently opened a restaurant at Stonebriar Centre, 2601 Preston Road, in Frisco. The location also features the first self-pour tap wall in Dallas-Fort Worth to offer craft and domestic beer, wine, cider and mixed cocktails, with 40 taps from which diners may choose. Smokin’ Oak’s menu (available at smokinoakpizza.com) includes a selection of wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, salads, appetizers and desserts. PET FINDER LAUNCHED The Frisco Police Department’s Animal Services Division recently rolled out some tools aimed at reconnecting the owners of lost pets with their furry friends. The Dallas Morning News reports that there are now links on the Animal Services webpage (friscotexas.gov/131/Animal-Services) where lost pets can be reported by owners who post the animals’ photo and identifying information, as well as lostand-found maps. Last fall, the Frisco City Council appointed members to the city’s first animal advisory committee that works to advocate for animals and pet owners. UNT, PGA PARTNERSHIP Frisco-based PGA and the University of North Texas, which recently opened its Frisco campus, have partnered on “Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access Essentials” training for all of PGA’s employees, 41 sections and 28,000 professionals. This professional development, which is provided through the ever-popular Coursera format, was created by UNT’s Division of Digital Strategy and Innovation and UNT’s Division of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access. Throughout the course, learners will explore strategies for promoting equity and inclusion in their personal and professional lives. RESIDENT WINS CONTEST Frisco resident Brad Jones was recently named a winner of the Life Time 60-Day Challenge hosted by athletic club chain Life Time, which has a location in Frisco. The Dallas Morning News reports that Jones, who became a paraplegic more than three decades ago following a construction accident and uses a wheelchair, was among five people selected from 20,000 individuals nationwide to win the challenge (another winner lives in Fort Worth). Twice-weekly workouts helped Jones shed 23 pounds. SANDWICH SHOPS OPEN The newest location of Jersey Mike’s Subs recently opened its doors at 12025 University Drive in Frisco. To mark the opening, in January franchise owner Ramein Gerami held a weeklong fundraiser supporting the Ryan Siddique Scholarship Fund, which provides financial scholarships and support services to students diagnosed with epilepsy. This scholarship is given in memory of North Texan Siddique, who suffered from the condition from childhood until his death in 2014. Meanwhile, Community Impact reports that Frisco couple Yan and Jeff Upchuch recently opened a location of The Sandwich Spot at 8050 Preston Road Suite 102, in Frisco. (Other locations of the restaurant are in California and Nevada.) On its menu, the local restaurant features sandwiches with names that nod to our city including the Cowboy Quake, the Frisco High, the Frisco Spartan and the Frisco Waterworks. DIDYou Know? To have your business’ or organization’s news featured in Did You Know?, email [email protected]. FEBRUARY 2023 57 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2023 • All rights reserved.
ONE DAY IN FRISCO Photo by Bri Morales Construction continues at Hall Park in Frisco. 58 FRISCOSTYLE.COM