I was introduced to Gordon's music at a young age. My mom played guitar and had a beautiful voice, and she would sing some of his songs to us as kids. Road trips to Ft. Lauderdale and Kissimmee to see the grandparents growing up included Gord's Gold on cassette in the car. His music was a pretty big influence on the type of songs I wrote as a young adult when I picked up the mantle from my already deceased mom and learned to play guitar and sing.
One of the first songs of his that I learned to play wasn't necessarily because it was a favorite, rather because of the changed lyrics I used to sing for my sister in memory of our mother:
"Minstrel of the Dawn" became "Menstrual of the Mom" and it was every bit as bad as it sounds just from the title. I'll spare you a full rendition, but here are the opening lines:
The menstrual of the mom is here
The children up and disappear
Stick around and you will be
The victim of a menstrual scene
Listen to the objects fly
Across the room
And then the kids they cry
Listen to the screams...
Anyway, you get the idea. It wasn't all jokes at mom's expense, however. My favorite song from Gordon's library is also a song that reminds me of my mom, or rather reminds me of who she was as a person. The song itself focuses on the downtrodden and destitute over the backdrop of Christmas. It reminds me of her giving nature and how she always helped those around her who had less than we did (and we didn't have a lot growing up).
I know this reads as a weird eulogy, but I'll always be thankful for the memories Gordon's music provides whenever I listen. We lost a good one, and I'm grateful he shared his gift with the rest of us. Rest in peace.