never end

Making a recording and eventual cd, live stream, and informances from my 60th Birthday concert was an adventure I will cherish forever. That’s “Voice of Love.” It was a life changing moment filled with gratitude and fulfillment. You should hear it – if you haven’t already. Then as I got ready for the big 70, I thought, let’s do this again! Only differently. By divine providence a song I have adored for years that has been sung by every artist you can name became the theme – Let the Music Never End. In my passion to keep my music going, I selected musical theater, pop, sacred, and crooner songs with a variety of amazing instruments to showcase my love of diversity.

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Some months before my 70th birthday, my son Ivan was home to perform with my orchestra and on his last day here, I had a revelation. We were having drinks before dinner and on the stereo was a wonderful rendition of “How Do You Keep the Music Playing”. I grabbed my sons and my wife in a dance to the music and said – “this is my 70th birthday concert theme”. It was so cool to have that moment and then see it played out on the big day – with keys/bass/trap set/violin, and cello. The team of musicians and tech crew gathered, guests came for drinks and appetizers, and I shared the very core of my dream to keep the music alive – in my soul and in my performing life.

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Burt Baharach and Stephen Sondheim had both just passed that year and I could not let that moment go by. The first 7 songs are theirs. Then 4 amazing contemporary Christian songs I have done for years to celebrate the passion I have for God – and His music. Finally, there are three searing ballads about loss, love, hope, and promise that round out the offering.

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Doing the informances for these 14 gems was so exciting and visceral. I did them in a new space, with new friends, fun backdrops, and amazing stories about how each song has impacted me. I think, if you listen carefully, you will see and hear a wonderful cornucopia of music for voice and instruments that melt the heart and sooth the soul – leaving only the path ahead with music – that will never end.