Twenty years ago I lost my father to cancer. He lived an active, healthy lifestyle so we were all surprised when he passed away just 10 days shy of his 57th birthday. I’m sure there are many of you who have similar stories of loved ones you lost unexpectedly. Fortunately they never truly leave us, and their legacy lives on in often unexpected ways. A few weeks ago I posted this picture to Facebook, expressing how grateful I was to have had such a wonderful father.
Though I knew he made a positive difference in many lives, I was overwhelmed by the response of people who still think about him on a regular basis. Why such a lasting impact? Because my Dad was an incredibly wonderful and genuine listener. People would come to him with a problem (one of his main roles in both work and church) and they would leave feeling hopeful, confident and optimistic that they were working and moving toward a solution. And the best part was that when you came to him with a concern, he helped you reach a solution on your own. Sure, he had great advice or an answer that he could have simply given you, but he would instead ask you careful and thoughtful open-ended questions until you found yourself giving yourself the advice you needed to hear.
Not long after he passed away, my family moved about a mile from the cemetery where my Dad is buried. I spent many hours walking up the steep hill to his resting place, wishing I could have just one more conversation. And in many ways, I did have those conversations. That’s what “Solitary Road” is about. Although I took these walks alone, I hope you can hear the element of conversation in the music.
Thank you so much for listening, and for all your support!
As I’m sure most of you know, I always record my albums at Piano Haven Studio in Sedona, Arizona. Although my first two albums (Road Home and Deck the Halls) were recorded at Piano Haven Seattle, in 2013 owner/operator, Joe Bongiorno made the move south. I love Joe, his skills, his piano, and the sunshine, so I’m always happy to make the trip whenever it’s time to record! A wonderful perk of these regular trips is the opportunity to connect with one of my favorite Sedona residents, and artists, Clark Sheppard.
In addition to being an incredibly caring and genuine individual, Clark Sheppard is an accomplished award-winning artist who creates “Vivid, Mystical artwork inspired by the magic and beauty of Sedona and the Southwest.” I met Clark about 10 years ago when he first attended one of my concerts. Since that time he has been one of my most supportive listeners, and I always look forward to our post-concert visits.
Spend some time on his website - www.SedonaArtStudios.com - and you will see that Clark’s paintings are full of color and life, just like him! He has been featured in multiple magazines and exhibitions, in addition to his work being licensed for the Warner Bros. media series, “Snatchers.” One of Clark’s award-winning pieces was even purchased by former President George W. Bush for his private collection!
One of the many things I appreciate about Clark is his passion for music, and how he feels a connection between what he hears and what he creates visually. Several of his paintings have a “soundtrack” he selected to accompany them, and I’m honored he selected my original composition, “Quiet Wisdom” as one those soundtracks.
A few days ago while sitting at the piano I glanced out the window and noticed a young couple standing on the sidewalk in front of our house, taking pictures surrounded by the exploding pink-white cherry blossoms. Are they called cherry blossoms if it’s not actually a cherry tree? Anyway, I’m not sure why, but this year the trees on our street put on an especially spectacular display, and I couldn’t help smiling as I watched this couple. The expressions on their faces showed they were fully present in the moment. Watching them took me back to the morning 5 years ago (almost to the day) when I composed what is probably my happiest song - “Abundance.”
Before I go on, allow me to share a little back story. In 2017-2018 I went through somewhat of a refiners fire — filled with lessons, realizations and experiences that pushed me well beyond my comfort zone mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We’ve all been there, right? But thanks to the incredible support of my wife and kids, I came through with a newfound appreciation for, and a new way of looking at life! Countless self-help and spiritual teachers advocate, “You get more of what you focus on,” and Stephen Covey emphasized the importance of an Abundance Mentality. Can you see where this is all going? On a sunny morning in the spring of 2019 I sat at the piano looking out at those blossoms, feeling probably very similar to how the young couple felt just the other day. I was finally starting to view life through the lens of abundance. And I was present. I felt the keys under my fingers, the soft light of the sun streaming in and the glow of the cherry blossoms outside the window. “Abundance” was composed freely and naturally in that moment.
July 19, 2019 - Recording Session for “Abundance” and the “Shadowlight” album. That view definitely helped!
Later that year, when I went to record the album, “Shadowlight” at Piano Haven Studio in Sedona, AZ, I told my good friend and studio engineer, Joe Bongiorno that I wanted to record this song first. The music had special meaning to me and I thought it could set the tone for the rest of the recording sessions. Much to my pleasant surprise, the song was recorded in just one single take and on the very first try!
Thank you for listening, and for all of your continued support! I hope your day is filled with ABUNDANCE!
