Howdy folks!  Welcome to my first attempt at blogging.  If this is lame or un-cool please let me know so I can get right on it.

I wanted to start sharing some stories behind the songs on my newest record Look At All The Colors!  The record came out in late March, and I am so honored and excited for you guys to hear it!  Today I’ll talk a bit about the track “While These Bells Ring, Safely Rest”.

A couple years ago my wife Mary was at a conference in Washington D.C.  I decided to tag-along and be a tourist for the week.  In my wandering throughout the city, I ended up in Arlington National Cemetery.  I spent a good deal of time at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and noticed a small plaque hanging on a fence.  It was commemorating the carillon that was installed there in 1949.  The carillon regularly chimes as a solemn honor to the men and women who have fallen in combat.

President Truman said of the carillon: “As these bells ring out their hymns, they will proclaim that message of faith. As long as they ring, these honored dead may rest.”  (You can read his entire dedication of the carillon here.)

There’s a phrase on the plaque that struck me.  It said:  “While these bells ring, safely rest.  Freedom lives.”  A simple, calming reminder to those that went before us that they did not die in vain.  They paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting the freedom, liberties and way of life that they believed in…and that freedom lives on.

I wrote this song based on that phrase.  You’ll hear a simple melody in the beginning with some synthesized bells.  There’s never really a huge crescendo in this track, though it does go places dynamically.  At the climax of the piece you’ll hear a chime that is a salute to the carillon at Arlington.

In thinking about Memorial Day weekend, I thought it appropriate to share the story of this song.  I was born into a Navy family, and I married into a Navy family.  Both my family and Mary’s family have a long tradition of serving in the U.S. Navy and Marines all the way back to the Revolutionary War!  I am so honored to be included in that heritage.  They are heroes!

So, I know I only write and play music, and most likely will never know the extent of the sacrifices that our veterans paid for us.  But I do hope that this song serves as a heartfelt thank you to those in Arlington and to those currently serving in our armed forces.  Enjoy the music and enjoy the freedom that you have today!

Until next time!