Nucleus

In early 2008 I had a discussion with a professor from University of Missouri. I was in the Midwest making another album with Eddie Stovall. The album was to raise funds for children in harm’s way. We had a song called “Rise Up” going and hoped people would. The professor knew our work for Africa, for the Gulf Coast, India, etc. He had been in a meeting with colleagues where the discussion concerned the previous day’s shooting on the campus of the University of Northern Illinois. Innocuously he asked “Do you think you could write a song about it? Nobody feels safe on campus any more.” In gut response I said “What I have always wanted to tell young people living the life of a student is that everything outside that scenario is different and wide open. It won’t matter if you fit in, if you can’t grasp all subject matter, if your romance fades, if your views are not well received; you get to be yourself and the discovery of who that is will be in the world outside the door.” That has been my experience. He said “Well, that’s it – that’s what the song could relate.” Having agreed to try, the song did not come easy. Sometimes there is a stream of consciousness. This time some false starts and then a concept began to emerge. A song is not enough in this instance. A safe place where people can unload their misgivings and still make a choice to continue to live, to contribute, to share and ultimately to coexist, is essential, and hopefully illuminating. Therein lies the song text and the concept for “The Living Life Café.com.”

Back Inside The Dream

What was I thinking? PLAY
Cover Me PLAY
1-2-3-4 Without You PLAY
This Is Not My Father's War PLAY
Ode to New Orleans PLAY
Heart of Darkness (Song for Africa) PLAY
Family of Humanity PLAY

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"1-2-3-4 Without You"
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Artwork by Bobbie Laine
prints available
Photography by Gia Jensen
Scott Beauvais
NASA