All posts tagged music

The Road to Spain, Update 6 ~ The Music

The last time I physically saw Pedro González Arbona we were waving each other goodbye at the security checkpoint at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport two years ago. He arrived that summer as an aspiring composer. He left America that day with 50 professionally recorded CDs of his original compositions, eager to share his music with friends and family in Spain.

Managing Pedro’s Music

Our relationship changed that summer, not intentionally, but it went from one of family connection (as a result of a short term exchange program, Education First) to a music partnership. When I offered to take Pedro into the recording studio in July 2011, he started to affectionately and jokingly call me his manager. As I caught his dream of composing movie scores, I came to take that responsibility more seriously, as did he.

Since that time, his music found a home with CD Baby, an independent music distributor, giving him an online presence on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and other retail music sites, and giving him worldwide exposure. As fantastic as this may sound, online access doesn’t automatically equate to fame and fortune—although I was naturally concerned it might.

Introducing Pedro at his debut American performance, June 2011

Carrying on our relationship across 5,300 miles has not been easy. But like the online translator has helped bridge the distance between his mother Rosa and me, Pedro’s music has helped to connect us as well. When Pedro left in July 2011, he had a repertoire of 18 songs; 13 of them were recorded on his CD, Introducing Pedro González Arbona.

Since then he has become quite prolific with his music, growing from simple piano melodies to fully orchestrated pieces. Last month, he reached a major milestone by composing his 100^th piece, sending each song to me via email along the way.

And Then it Happened . . .

One day out of the blue several months ago, Pedro emailed me an incredibly beautiful composition that seemed to stretch his music to a new level. I made a mental note on that day of this shift, prayed about it, released it to God, and even wrote in my journal how it felt like his music was truly ready for the big screen. The very next day, I received an email from Pedro that he got noticed by a Spanish film production company who was interested in hiring him to compose for a full feature film. This was incredible news!

Pedro informed the company that I was his manager and the international communications began with the producer. Things progressed very rapidly after that. Pedro was offered the chance to compose for a short film to test his talent—which he passed with flying colors. He was then offered the job to compose for the full feature film next year.

The last few months have been a whirlwind of musical commitments for Pedro and a steep learning curve for me. I have been blown away by his beautifully orchestrated compositions for the short film. Throughout the production process, he has demonstrated his maturity and creative genius in working with the producer and the director. It has all paid off well for him as the trailer for the short film, “Sed de Amor” (Thirst for Love), below, was released last week. (By the way, the song I mentioned above was the basis for the song featured in this trailer. It really was meant for the big screen and answered prayer!)

It’s a Small World

What is so interesting to me in all of this is how the connections for this film came to fruition. It wasn’t because the film company stumbled upon Pedro’s music. It was through a high school friend, Chani Bas, who is the director and screenwriter for the short film. He heard of Pedro’s musical pursuits and shared Pedro’s music site with the producers. Pedro’s music spoke for itself.

Putting Pedro’s music online was never rooted in financial motives. It was all about sharing Pedro’s music and getting him exposure. We just had to be patient for the right circumstances to materialize and God’s timing.

Reunion on Spanish Soil

When I arrive in Spain in one week, I will be reunited with Pedro—no longer an aspiring composer, but a professional one, with the score of his first professional film under his belt. The timing couldn’t be better, as we will be able to partner for his music promotion, the release of the soundtrack on July 1, and the premiere of the movie. I’m also anxious to watch him perform the dozens of songs he sent me over the past two years.

I couldn’t be happier for Pedro. His dreams are becoming a reality. I fertilized the seed that was planted in my home when we met three years ago (when he first played the piano for us). The hard work has paid off. Now it’s time to enjoy the fruit of our labor, and thank God for the abundant blessings He has bestowed on us.

Update 12/18/2013: To read about my music related adventures in Spain, check out “Lights, Camera, Action, Part 1.”

5 Comments

by ardisanelson on June 17, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Faith & Hope, My Spanish Connection, My Trip to Spain, Pedro's Musical Pursuits

Tagged CD Baby, Chani Bas, educational exchange program, following your dreams, friendship, God, God's timing, iTunes, movie composing, music, My Spanish Connection, Pedro Gonzalez Arbona, piano compositions, prayer, Sed de Amor, Spain, Spotify, Thirst for Love

Posted by ardisanelson on June 17, 2013

https://ardisanelson.com/2013/06/17/the-road-to-spain-update-6-the-music/

The Road to Spain, Update 2 ~ The Year of Waiting

Last week marked one year since I secured the funds for my travel and confirmation of my trip to Spain this summer. I remember it vividly because I wrote a post about it and Skyped (video call) with my Spanish family on that day too.

A perfect fit and a perfect exchange.

Last year at this time, my friend Linda graciously helped me by unexpectedly buying my mother’s wedding ring. While I was planning on selling the ring to get money for my trip, I never expected it to go to someone I knew. That was more confirmation of God’s hand on my trip. It was a win-win situation for both of us as she wanted the ring to celebrate the receipt of her mental health license; and it fit her perfectly.

The night before I revealed all of this to my Spanish family over Skype, I went over to Linda’s home to do the exchange—my mother’s ring for my airfare to Spain. It was a memorable evening as we sipped wine, talked about the journey ahead and the reality of my trip started to sink in. Linda has been a big cheerleader for me along this journey and I know she will be there in spirit—along with my other prayer partners.

Revealing My Secret

I Skype with my Spanish family about once a month. Rosa is learning English, but Pedro still does a lot of translating between us. On this particular video call I asked Pedro to view my blog online and translate this newest post to his mother. I eagerly watched and waited for their reactions. He laughed when he translated the part about his music sales not being as much as I’d hoped (to cover my trip costs). Later as he started to connect the dots in the story he said, “Oh, I know where you are going”.

I’m heading to Spain!

As he progressed through his translation of the story, I heard the excitement grow in his voice. He met Linda the year before and was happy to hear how she was involved in this story. As Pedro neared the end, Rosa broke her silence by speaking in English. “Incredible, incredible,” she said with delight in her voice.

Pedro told me they would reserve the summer of 2013 for me. Rosa, in her excitement, rattled off all the cities in Spain we would visit and said she would go to a travel agent and start planning.

We talked about the core reason for this trip and my desire to continue with my writing. Rosa agreed to share with me her perspective of our story and wanted to get started on that too.

Still Hard to Believe

That was the start of my planning for this trip of a lifetime—6 weeks in Spain. Last month, Pedro’s father sent me a calendar of my itinerary including most of those cities we first discussed. I will share more about my itinerary, etc. over the next few months and hope to post regular updates on my blog from Spain. My writing is a significant portion of this trip, but I also want to be in the moment.

8 weeks until I arrive in Spain.

I feel blessed beyond belief at times for this family’s generosity to take me in like this. They are not only opening up their home to me, they are opening up their lives in a multitude of layers—Rosa for trusting me to write about her side of the story, knowing that it will bring up painful memories—and Pedro for letting me partner with him on his musical pursuits. I pray I can do it all justice and that God would keep me focused on His will for it.

Unbeknownst to me or my family, the road to Spain started with our opening up our home to Pedro, for a short term exchange program in July 2010. Now, three years later, it is my turn to be the exchange student. The waiting is almost over.

1 Comment

by ardisanelson on April 29, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Faith & Hope, My Spanish Connection, My Trip to Spain, My Writing Journey, Relationships & Family

Tagged friendship, God, hope, music, My Spanish Connection, Pedro Gonzalez Arbona, Rosa, Sisters in Christ, Spain, writing

Posted by ardisanelson on April 29, 2013

https://ardisanelson.com/2013/04/29/the-road-to-spain-update-2-the-year-of-waiting/

Dad & Mom ~ Birthday Reflections

When I logged on to my computer Wednesday morning my Outlook calendar reminded me that it was my father’s birthday—his first since he passed away last summer. He would’ve been 95. I gave his eulogy and wrote a series of posts about his passing while in the midst of my grief and processing. In those posts I recounted how beautiful his passing was and about the family healing that resulted.

Nine months have passed and we have all returned to our busy lives in various parts of the country. My stepmother has meticulously cleaned out the house and my father’s belongings. She invested in some long overdue major house repairs. Earlier this month her son permanently moved into their home. It is her time to be cared for and rest easy after several years of being my father’s primary caregiver.

Remembering Dad

In years past, I would call my father on his birthday or sometimes send him a card. He wasn’t a sentimental person so that didn’t matter to him. In a strange sort of way though, I felt closer to my father this week than on prior birthdays.

My father’s rosary

My father’s birthday fell on a Wednesday, the day that I regularly attend a church service and devote a large block of time in prayer. Although not Catholic, I keep his rosary with me during these times. Yesterday as I clutched it and prayed, I sensed his presence and his peace.

When the family went through my father’s personal belongings, I was surprised to find the rosary. He turned away from his Catholic roots many, many years ago. Dad was a born again Christian, yet he still had his rosary—although he probably forgot about it long ago. It was broken and not much to look at—black with small wooden beads.

All of my siblings and family are now Protestant (we were raised Catholic) so I knew no one would want it. Since the Catholic Church played such a significant role in my mother’s peaceful passing and my healing, I knew I couldn’t let it be discarded.

Remembering Mom

Much like Wednesday’s remembrance of my father, I mark my mother’s birthday with pleasant memories of her. I don’t have either of the rosaries I bought her on my trips back home. Both were lost. The only mementos I received after she died was a bracelet I bought her for Mother’s Day—the last time I saw her alive—and a remnant of the chain from the first communion cross pendant I gave her on my 50^th birthday.

My mother’s chain & bracelet

Mom’s first posthumous birthday also fell on a Wednesday, soon after I had started my personal weekly prayer vigils two years ago. Her birthday was only a few weeks after she died.

I vividly remember that day because after my prayer time, I had a beautiful song waiting for me on my phone (via email) from Pedro. It was “Rome”, the second song I knew he composed. He sent it out of the blue, not knowing it was my mother’s birthday. It immediately brought tears to my eyes due to its sheer beauty and the perfect timing of its receipt. That song was a precious gift, which for me, is forever linked to my healing and my mother’s passing.

Still Grieving?

I think I can comfortably say that my grieving for my father is done. When the time is right and I return to the house he called home for the last 35+ years, I suspect a new wave of sadness will hit me. Then when I step on Spanish soil in two months, and meet Rosa face to face, more tears will be shed over the passing of our mothers and how God has beautifully connected us.

Two deaths. Two eulogies. In two years. And now two posthumous birthdays that I privately celebrate with gratitude to God for the perfect way He orchestrated my parent’s passings and the healing in my life. I think that’s worth some quiet time of reflection, don’t you?

3 Comments

by ardisanelson on April 26, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Faith & Hope, Healing & Recovery, My Spanish Connection, Relationships & Family

Tagged birthday, Catholic, celebrations, Christianity, family, gifts, God, gratitude, grieving our losses, healing, Mother's Day, music, My Spanish Connection, Pedro Gonzalez Arbona, piano compositions, Rosa, saying goodbye

Posted by ardisanelson on April 26, 2013

https://ardisanelson.com/2013/04/26/dad-mom-birthday-reflections/

Holy Week, Holy Movies

One of the things I remember about the Easter season growing up were the religious movies we watched. My first recollection of a spiritual movie was “The Robe”. Even as a child I was moved by it and the message of ultimate sacrifice and unconditional love the lead characters (Richard Burton and Jean Simmons) displayed in the final scene of the movie. (I won’t give away the ending if you’ve never seen it.) It is still one of my favorite Easter movies. “The Ten Commandments” with Charlton Heston was also a family favorite.

In 2004, Mel Gibson produced “The Passion of the Christ” taking spiritual movies to a new level. It was violent and highly controversial. It was incredibly gripping and painful to watch. I left the theater emotionally raw after watching the realistic depiction of Jesus crucifixion. At the same time I remember thinking it would be something I should see every year as a reminder of what Jesus endured for the sake of my soul. Nine years later and I still haven’t been able to watch it. The visual images are that powerful in my mind.

This year I have a new favorite spiritual movie that has given me much pause about my Christianity. It is “Les Misérables”. Like “The Passion”, it is dark and violent at times, but the music, lyrics, and redemption message, carry you through the movie to its tear-jerking and powerful conclusion.

The movie opens with the song “Look Down” and the release of Jean Valjean from prison after 19 years. After word of his release, Valjean, played by Hugh Jackman, sings about his freedom, while the prison guard, Javert, played by Russell Crowe, reminds him his name is “24601” and that he’ll always be a slave. Although technically free, Valjean is a marked man and must carry his papers with him wherever he goes. He is bitter and sings “I’ll never forgive them for what they’ve done”.

After an encounter with a Catholic bishop, there is another moving scene in which we get to witness Valjean’s inner struggle as he decides to reclaim his identity and put the mentality of a slave behind him. (Click the song link to hear Pedro perform the first three songs of “Les Mis” – Look Down, Valjean’s Soliloquy and The Bishop © 2012 Claude Michel Schonberg.)

These first few scenes set the stage for conflict throughout the movie. On the one hand you have Valjean, who is stepping into his redeemed identity and living a life of grace and forgiveness (like Jesus). On the other hand you have Javert, who represents ‘the law’ (like the Pharisees). Javert is obsessed with tracking down Valjean to return him to prison for breaking parole—much like the Apostle Paul persecuted Christians prior to his conversion.

Throughout the movie, there are encounters between these two characters as their worlds collide in unpredictable ways. Javert continues to believe (and sings) “a man such as you can never change”. But even in the face of death, Valjean chooses to do what is right and won’t return to his ways of rebellion and slavery. Valjean is a changed man. He is walking out his identity in Christ. In the end (spoiler alert), Javert can’t live with himself and the inner turmoil caused by Valjean’s transformation, and chooses to take his own life—like Judas did.

I’ve seen “Les Mis” twice in the theater, bought the video this week and have listened to the soundtrack countless times in the last two months. Needless to say, I love it! I’m sure not everyone will agree with my enthusiasm for this movie. However, with its powerful story, amazing music and compelling lyrics, I think “Les Mis” is a must-see for every Christian—and perfect for Holy Week reflection. Coincidentally, it ends with the hope of tomorrow—just like we have in Christ.

What’s your favorite spiritual or Holy Week movie and why?

2 Comments

by ardisanelson on March 28, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Faith & Hope, Identity

Tagged Catholic, Christianity, Easter, faithful, forgiveness, God, Holy Week, hope, identity, Les Mis, love, movie review, music, Pedro Gonzalez Arbona, persecution, sacrifice, The Passion, transformation

Posted by ardisanelson on March 28, 2013

https://ardisanelson.com/2013/03/28/holy-week-holy-movies/

A Tribute to Mom, Part 3 – The Music & the Musician

My mother, JoAnn, loved music and gave me a love for it as well. Neither one of us could read music or play an instrument, but we both had large phonographic record collections (ouch, that dates me). We also love to dance and sing, although I reserve those times for Sunday morning worship (when I can bury my voice in the crowd) or in the privacy of my own home.

When Pedro, the Spanish young man mentioned in “Walking My Mother Home”, started playing the piano in our home, it awakened in me my buried love of the same kinds of music that my mother loved, soundtracks from films such as “The Sound of Music” and “The Sting”, to name a few. Unbeknownst to me, Pedro was interspersing some of his own original piano compositions as well.

Phonograph record & turntable

In January 2011, one month before my mother died, Pedro surprised my family by sending us a video of “Seattle”, a song he wrote and dedicated to us. That was the first I knew of his composing. This led to my taking Pedro into a recording studio for his 18th birthday to produce his first CD, “Introducing Pedro González Arbona“.

Pedro has become quite an accomplished and prolific composer over the past two years. He has composed dozens of songs and his music is now available online. (If you regularly follow my blog, this is not news to you.) What is news though is that Pedro’s music was recently noticed by a Spanish film production company who has hired him to compose a score for a short film.

“Walking My Mother Home” Soundtrack

Since Pedro’s desire is to compose movie scores, it is only natural that he would compose music that goes along with the story between our families. He has composed two beautiful songs, “JoAnn’s Song” and “Ardis’s Song”, which I have made into short videos. The videos (click the links below) compliment my story, “Walking My Mother Home”, published in Journeys to Mother Love.

JoAnn’s Song: The story of the three trips back home to St. Louis to see my mother.
Ardis’s Song: The story of my mother’s funeral ending with my revelations and identity breakthrough.

Pedro rests at the 9-foot Steinway, The Piano Studio, Seattle, July 2011.

Pedro’s music has become an integral part of my life since my mother died two years ago. Not only has he written songs for me and my mother, he has also written tributes to my recently deceased father (Van’s Requiem-click link to listen) and Carmen, his grandmother (Bubu-click link to listen), who passed away a few weeks before my mother.

The Fruit of My Labor

It a tremendous gift to watch this young man’s musical talent bloom and grow. It was fertilized in my home over two years ago. Like investing in Rosa, Pedro’s mother, as we prepared for the passing of our mothers, I also invested in Pedro. Both of these people investments have born great fruit. They have transformed my heart. And now JoAnn and Carmen are dancing to a new beat together in heaven.

Someday Pedro’s music will be on the big screen. I’ll be there to applaud his debut with eyes beaming and tears streaming. Until then, I’m learning to be content in receiving electronic music files of his compositions and partnering with him on his music dreams from 5,300 miles across the world.

If you enjoyed Pedro’s music, please help this aspiring young international artist build an audience and get noticed by clicking the link to like his Facebook page, “Pedro González Arbona”, or share a comment below about his music or the videos.

2 Comments

by ardisanelson on February 15, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Faith & Hope, My Spanish Connection, Pedro's Musical Pursuits, Relationships & Family

Tagged Christianity, family, following your dreams, friendship, gifts, heaven, Journeys to Mother Love, music, My Spanish Connection, Pedro Gonzalez Arbona, piano compositions, Rosa, saying goodbye, Seattle, Spain, The Piano Studio - Seattle

Posted by ardisanelson on February 15, 2013

https://ardisanelson.com/2013/02/15/a-tribute-to-mom-part-3-the-music-the-musician/

Name That Tune

Ever since we welcomed Pedro into our home two summers ago, his music has become a part of my life. For the first summer, I watched and listened to him play movie soundtracks on our old upright piano. Before that summer, the piano was reserved solely for my oldest son, Evan, who for years only played classical pieces from great composers like Beethoven, Bach, Chopin and Tchaikovsky. Both of these young men were classically trained, yet their music was strikingly different and influenced by the environment in which they grew up.

A Tale of Two Musicians

Pedro at the Nelson family piano, July 2010

From an early age Pedro fell in love with the cinema, going to movies with his parents and grandparents. For his first communion he received books from his grandparents about American and European cinema. He was drawn to the chapters about the composers and started paying attention to how music influenced movies. When Pedro was eight, his parents discovered he had an ear for music and he was enrolled in a conservatory in Spain.

Across the globe in Seattle, Evan’s interest in music was being fostered by his parents and trips to the symphony with his father. Evan was enrolled in private piano lessons when he was six years old. With his aptitude for math and complex equations, he was stretched by his teachers to remarkable levels in mastering works like “Polichinelle” by Rachmaninoff. At the pinnacle of his musical career, we produced two CDs of Evan’s music and he held a fundraiser concert where he performed eight classical pieces.

Evan’s final year of music, 2010

Evan’s days of playing the piano were winding down when Pedro and his music entered our lives. It wasn’t until months after Pedro left that we even found out some of the pieces he performed were his own compositions. All of this led to producing Pedro’s debut CD, Introducing Pedro Gonzalez Arbona, the following summer. (Pedro’s music is available on itunes, Amazon, Spotify, CD Baby and other online music sites.)

The Soundtrack of My Life

Ever since the receipt of “Seattle”, a song Pedro composed and dedicated to our family, Pedro has been sending me his songs—over 30 received to date. What is most unique about this relationship is how it often feels like I have a soundtrack that goes along with my life—at least this season of it.

Last year for my birthday, Pedro composed a song for me, “Ardis’s Song”. It was one of the best gifts I’d ever received. When my father passed away this summer, Pedro composed “Van’s Requiem” which we played at the memorial service. Then when “Journeys to Mother Love” was released, he surprised me with a song for the Open House. (The story really does have a soundtrack that goes with it. I send that to anyone who buys “Journeys to Mother Love” through me or my site.)

Name That Tune

When my birthday arrived last month, I tried not to expect another song, yet Pedro did manage to surprise me again! Unlike last year’s song, Pedro gave me the privilege to name this one. I’ve been pondering a name for a few weeks. With my birthday falling on Thanksgiving, I wanted this song and this birthday to stand out from my other birthdays.

So my new song, “Day of Thanks”, was born from a friendship that transcends the 5,300 miles across the world. It is testament to how grateful I am for my Spanish connection and so many other blessings in my life. As a simple reminder of this gift, the ringtone on my cell phone now plays the opening notes to my new favorite song.

Music has a way of touching us at the heart level and lifting our spirits when we are down. It sets a tone in our movies, in our homes or wherever we listen to it. With the gift of Pedro’s music in my life, I am never far from my Spanish son or the memories of the good times we have shared.

I have already named my song, but I want to hear what you think. I encourage you to listen to “Day of Thanks” (click song title) and tell me what you would name this song if you received it. What feelings or scenes does it evoke in you? Enjoy this lovely composition and like the American game show from the 1950’s, “Name That Tune” in the comments below. (Please return back to this page to post your comment.)

10 Comments

by ardisanelson on December 15, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in My Spanish Connection, Pedro's Musical Pursuits, Relationships & Family

Tagged CD Baby, friendship, gratitude, iTunes, Journeys to Mother Love, music, My Spanish Connection, Pedro Gonzalez Arbona, piano compositions, Seattle, Spain, Spotify

Posted by ardisanelson on December 15, 2012

https://ardisanelson.com/2012/12/15/name-that-tune/

Van’s Requiem

It’s been a year and half since I found out that Pedro, the Spanish young man whom we hosted as an exchange student in our home was a composer. Since that time, his music has become an integral part of my life, including the culmination of recording his music and putting it online.

A few days after my father died, I received an email from Pedro with “Van’s Requiem” attached. The email merely said, “You know what I can do right now from Spain, is composing.” I let the tears flow.

A requiem is a musical composition associated with death and mourning. When I played “Van’s Requiem” for my step-mother, she told me I couldn’t keep this song to myself and requested that I play it at the memorial service. She also said my father would’ve liked it. And I agree.

My father enjoyed music. His musical interest started in grade school when he was taught to play the violin by a nun. He didn’t like the lessons much or her instruction, but he did love music. He soon took to learning other instruments on his own. He could play the string bass, clarinet, saxophone, accordion and the organ. He also had his own band, Bud & His Buddies, for a few years in the late 1930’s to earn some extra money after high school.

Dad passed that love of music down to his family. My older brother played Dad’s saxophone in school as well as some of Van’s grandchildren, including both of my sons. For my sons anyway, the saxophone was their secondary instrument. It was a small way that they got to connect with their grandfather.

I took a few piano lessons in college, but by that time, it was just too difficult for me. I turned my love for music into an easier way to enjoy it—by working at the college radio station as a disc jockey and eventually becoming the Music Director. It was a far cry from reading sheet music or performing in recitals, but fun nonetheless.

When Dad met Pedro last summer, they had an impromptu music gathering at the piano and organ. Pedro played some of his own compositions and attempted to play whatever sheet music my father put in front of him. It was entertaining to watch and even more precious to me when I watched the videos after my father recently passed away.

The day after Dad passed away, I sent an email to Pedro to tell him the sad news. I was shocked to notice that they met exactly one year ago—July 10, 2011. It was hard to watch those videos. My father’s health deteriorated a great deal since then, but it didn’t seem as noticeable until I watched those videos.

Dad & Pedro doing a sound-check on the family organ, 7/10/11.

I am incredibly glad I recorded that time between Pedro and my father. One of the songs Dad asked Pedro to play was “The Old Rugged Cross”. Unfortunately Pedro didn’t know that song. One year later, I found out that song was Dad’s favorite hymn. We closed his memorial service with it.

The service was opened with “Van’s Requiem.” I know that on that day one year ago when this relationship was developed, the basis for “Van’s Requiem” was also being developed. The ripple effect of that encounter had eternal consequences. I’m sure my father was tapping his toes to his own personal song.

Indeed music is an integral part of my life. It has created memories that are priceless to me. And along the way, it has grown my faith too.

3 Comments

by ardisanelson on August 1, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in My Spanish Connection, Pedro's Musical Pursuits, Relationships & Family

Tagged death, family, music, Pedro Gonzalez Arbona, piano compositions, relationships

Posted by ardisanelson on August 1, 2012

https://ardisanelson.com/2012/08/01/vans-requiem/

For the Love of Music

I love music! I always have. As I think back on my music ‘history’, I’ve realized that I have done some pretty crazy things for the love of music.

It started when I entered puberty. It was at the height of the ‘era’ when Donny Osmond and his brothers were all the rage. My bedroom wall was plastered with posters of Donny. As an adult I still listen to his music. I went to one of his concerts with my husband when we were young. It was ‘dreamy’. Like a true groupie, after the show I waited outside and got to shake Donny’s hand. I swore I’d never wash that hand again.

Several years later I met Donny again and was on TV with him on ‘Northwest Afternoon’ in Seattle. It was just one of those things that I had to do–to fulfill that ‘teenage’ dream. I even have the occasion forever immortalized in my ‘music’ scrapbook.

When I went to college, I outgrew my Osmond phase, but not my love for music. I became the music director at the college radio station where I got better acquainted with my future husband, the radio station manager. Music is what brought us both together. Although we have varying tastes, we both love music.

In recent years, my love of music has turned almost exclusively to contemporary Christian music. I have many favorites like Stephen Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Third Day and Chris Tomlin. I have seen them all in concert many times. These concerts are not just concerts to me. I love their music so much that they are generally more like a spiritual experience for me. The music is inspiring and uplifting. It is worshipful.

Casting Crowns

Mercy Me

Over the last year, my music taste has taken on a whole new dimension. Thanks to Pedro Gonzalez Arbona, my host son from Spain, I have taken an interest in modern piano—and Spanish music too. Producing the CD of Pedro’s original piano compositions has opened up a whole new array of musical interests and pursuits for me. Afterall, he reminds me that I am his American manager.

Last week, I was at the ‘Meet and Greet’ for Steven Curtis Chapman while he was performing in town. My son Cameron and I attended with a friend who got free tickets because of her role in an adoption ministry. It wasn’t much of a ‘meet and greet’ as we shook his hand, he answered a question or two and was gone. But with my friend’s encouragement, Steven ended up with a copy of Pedro’s CD in his hands. Afterwards, my son jokingly said to me, “I’ll never wash this hand.” Déjà vu.

Steven Curtis Chapman

Autographed concert poster

Backstage with SCC

And then tonight a similar situation presented itself. I have been researching how to make Pedro’s music more available online. That research took me to the Jim Brickman concert. I barely knew who Jim Brickman was a few months ago–and only then because I knew that Donny Osmond had accompanied him on some songs. As I’m preparing to get Pedro’s music available for sale online with itunes, Amazon and Spotify, I discovered how similar his music is to Jim Brickman’s. So I met him tonight too and gave him one of Pedro’s CDs—all for the love of music.

With Jim Brickman

I have no idea if anything will happen because of these bold acts of blind faith that God has me pursuing. It runs totally parallel to the boldness I have been walking out in my journey with Christ this past year. All I can do is go where He leads me, and when things aren’t quite what I thought or I veer off course, pray that God gently leads me back on His path. Because ultimately it’s all for the love of Jesus.

Making Me Bold

All posts tagged music

The Road to Spain, Update 6 ~ The Music

The Road to Spain, Update 2 ~ The Year of Waiting

Dad & Mom ~ Birthday Reflections

Holy Week, Holy Movies

A Tribute to Mom, Part 3 – The Music & the Musician

Name That Tune

Van’s Requiem

For the Love of Music

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Spread the word:

Spread the word:

Spread the word:

Spread the word:

Spread the word:

Spread the word:

Spread the word:

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Songs Composed by Pedro Gonzalez Arbona

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