Raising Kids with Family Roots and Values: How an Old Record Album Transformed One Dad’s Blueprint

When Bubba Page walked into my podcast studio holding a physical vinyl record album from the 1960s, I knew we were in for a treat. On the cover was his grandfather, Shirl Beckstead, who sang bass for the 1960 International Quartet Champions, The Evans Quartet.

Bubba grew up listening to his grandpa play the organ by ear and make up words on the spot, while his grandma Shirley taught him how to jitterbug right in her 1,200-square-foot Midvale, Utah home. Music, rhythm, and warmth were baked into his family identity.

But two years ago, Bubba faced a painful life transition. Divorce meant he would now have his eight children only 50% of the time.

Facing that reality forced Bubba to measure time differently. He realized that passing down family values, faith, and character couldn't be left to chance or passive weekend routines. Instead, he reached back into his family history. He borrowed his grandfather’s musical spirit and his great-grandfather’s Depression-era grit and created an intentional blueprint for his home today.

Here is what Bubba’s story teaches us about anchoring the next generation, no matter what challenges we face.

The Whole Story

Watch the full conversation with Bubba Page below, or jump directly to these key moments:

Prefer audio only? Click here to listen on your favorite podcast app.

• 05:15 — The 1960 Evans Quartet record and the great-grandfather who straightened nails during the Great Depression.
• 10:07 — Living room jitterbug lessons with Grandma Shirley and playing music by ear.
• 17:50 — Turning Sunday afternoons into family jam sessions with eight kids.
• 21:30 — Co-parenting with intentionality: How a 50% parenting schedule changed everything.
• 29:50 — Why having grandparents live close by gives children a safe place at their best and worst.

Work Ethic Isn't Taught in a Lecture. It's Reclaimed.

When Bubba was growing up, he heard stories about his dad's father, Homer Page, climbing fruit trees well into his 90s. He also learned about his great-grandfather, who lived through the Great Depression. Money was scarce, so he would take wood from old chicken coops and spend hours carefully straightening bent nails so they could be reused.

Decades later, Bubba built a townhome in South Salt Lake as a newlywed and began attending a local neighborhood church. When his parents came to visit, they looked around the building in shock. It turned out to be the exact same church building Bubba’s great-grandfather had helped construct out of salvaged materials decades prior.

Bubba had no idea he was worshipping in a space built by his ancestor’s own hands.

That physical legacy inspired how Bubba raises his eight children today. Every Saturday in his household is "working day." For two hours, the family works together in the garage, cleans, or tackles home projects.

"They need to know the value of that work. It’s the same thing about instilling in them the practice with music, language, or sports… Doing something when you don't want to sometimes can really help you achieve more grit."

 

Music Creates a Shared Family Language

For many families, keeping children engaged without screen distraction feels like an uphill battle. Bubba found his solution in the family tradition passed down by his Grandpa Shirl.

On Sunday afternoons, Bubba picks up his guitar, his son sits at the piano or electronic drums, and his daughters sing. Using simple chord apps, they play radio songs, church hymns, and old favorites together.

"Sunday afternoon is kind of our band time…  [It’s] not about the performance. It was all about the time practicing because that’s quality family time… It's a memory that we can keep forever."

By making music a living room habit rather than a formal chore, Bubba created an environment where his kids feel connected, creative, and grounded.

Grandparents See Kids at Their Best—and Their Worst

One of the most powerful shifts in Bubba's family occurred when his parents decided to move to Utah for half the year, buying a home nearby after living out of state for two decades.

Bubba points out a crucial distinction between long-distance grandparenting and local grandparenting:

"When you go and visit, you’re in vacation mode, so you see grandchildren during vacation. When you live by them, and you’re there when they get home from school or at all their games or performances or school plays or whatever it is, you’re going to see the children at their best and at their worst… Showing them love as a grandparent when they’re in their best or their worst… That is so special."

Having grandparents in the immediate ecosystem provides kids with an extra layer of emotional security, moral stability, and living proof of long-term family commitment.

Building Deep Connections in Your Family

Passing down values and faith to the next generation doesn't require perfection. It requires intentionality. When we share the honest stories of where we came from, we give our children an anchor that holds firm through any life storm.

There are a lot of different ways to do that.  Try establishing a weekly “jam” session or consistent shared activity.  Whether it's playing instruments, cooking a recipe passed down from a grandmother, or working on a home project, set aside one hour this weekend for unhurried family connection.

As Bubba reminded us in the episode, don't assume your family knows how you feel. Call a child, grandchild, or sibling today, look them in the eye or speak over the phone, and express your love directly.

Story Seeds 🌱

Use one (or all!) of these conversation starters at your next Sunday dinner or family gathering and watch connection grow across generations.

• What is one song or style of music that instantly reminds you of your parents or grandparents?
• Did your family have a regular Saturday tradition or chore routine growing up? What did it teach you?
• Which ancestor do you feel you take after the most in personality or work ethic?
• What is your favorite memory of spending time with a grandparent outside of holidays or vacations?

Story Sparks 🔑

Ready to put this into practice this week? Here are three simple steps to start turning facts into connection.

Bubba’s discovery that he was attending a church built by his great-grandfather wasn't just a happy coincidence. It’s something you can uncover in your own family tree using simple research methods:

1. Compare Physical Land & Property Records: Look up census records, draft cards, historical land deeds, or city directories to find your ancestors' addresses. Cross-reference those historical addresses with modern maps to see if buildings, churches, or family homes still stand.
2. Preserve Traditions Around Trade & Work: Don't just collect birth and death dates on your family tree. Pay attention to occupations on the historical records you find to know what your ancestors did for work. Then, ask older relatives what they remember about how ancestors worked. Were they trying to survive, serving their community, or building an empire? Were they doing it during challenging times (like the Great Depression or wartime)? Write these details into a story and add it to your family tree.
3. Document Musical and Cultural Artifacts: If you inherited old vinyl records, sheet music, or instruments, record the story behind them. Knowing why an ancestor loved a particular genre of music or specific song helps pass down family identity across generations.

Let’s Connect

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© 2026 Crista Cowan. All rights reserved.