My Life – Take 2
That every man find pleasure in his work —
this is a gift from God. Ecc. 3:13
Hello!
I’d like to announce the birth of the second half of my life! Today is my first day of self-employment as a solo piano composer, and I look forward to all the blessings (and trials) that it will bring. However, it’s been a long journey to get to this place.
I started composing at age 12. I wanted to get a college degree in music, but that seemed “too risky” so I wandered off into pre-med Biology. Eventually I came to my senses and transferred to Samford University where I received my degree in Music Theory and Composition.
After graduation I moved to Memphis to start a family with my dearest Rebecca. Once again, a music career seemed “too risky” so I decided to postpone my dream. A kind friend launched me into 13 years of software and web development. I would periodically sense the call to go back to music, but I would convince myself to stay put and keep programming. Over time I grew depressed and melancholy, feeling like a part of me had died. To compensate I would stay up late doing the things I wished to do during the day. This affected me, my family and my walk with God. Over a period of nine years I was able to release two albums, but had neither the time nor the energy to make them successful.
In January of this year I took my “dream” journal, flipped it to a blank page and prayed, “Father, you write the story. I’m done.” It was at that point that I became truly free.
To my surprise, it was a call back to music, to writing, to creativity that encourages and inspires. This time it wasn’t about John and his success; it was about others. The same call I’ve heard a thousand times. The same call that has resonated in my blood and in my bones, no longer to be suppressed or denied, but to be fulfilled as an act of obedience to my Maker, the One who calls.
A few months later and here we are. Do I have all the answers? No. Have we insulated ourselves from every risk? No. Will we be successful? Yes. What is success? Jesus Christ provided the answer, “To do the will of the Father.” What does success look like? Jesus Christ provided the answer to this as well.
Well, the obvious concern is how to feed my family. Here is just one of my products that is launching this week!
Piano Portraits:
You may be familiar with my song, “Rebecca”, on my first album where I tried to capture various elements of Becky’s personality in music. I also did a piano work for a little girl, Aubrey Kate, in conjunction with a local photographer. I really enjoy this process, and so do they. This week I am working on two of them, and I will be glad to share them with you when they are complete. Because the process of interviewing, researching, composing, recording and producing the product takes considerable time and energy, the price per portrait is currently $880. These are premium gifts, but they keep on giving! Not only does the client receive a unique piano work especially crafted for them, 10% of all future royalties from that piano work will be donated to the client’s favorite charity.
Well, that’s probably more than you wanted to read, but I wanted to share with you what’s going on in our lives. We would love your prayers, your ideas and your feedback as we venture forth in faith and hard work. My prayer for you is that God would inspire and encourage you as you listen to these piano works.
John Albert Thomas
P.S. If you want to help spread the music, please join my Street Team on my website! I’ll be sending you on secret missions for a chance to earn special rewards.
Recommended Reading
48 Days To The Work You Love by Dan Miller
Eat, Drink and Be Merry, For Tomorrow We Die
If you are like me you have plenty of entrepreneurial ideas with lots of optimism and hope for the future, but you also struggle with those moments of doubt when you wonder how you are going to pay the bills every month. Will one of my ideas finally take off? What if my dream flops? What if I jumped too soon? The moments of doubt can lead to days of worry, fretting and frustration.
This morning I woke up feeling that way. Quite frankly, I didn’t really want to go to church. I’d rather spend the hour alone and maybe have my own little service. But I went anyway, and I’m glad I did.
During the time of praise we sang a song I needed to sing:
Because He lives I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
live is worth the living just because He lives.
Then I thought, “What is the one thing that has given me strength in my moments of doubt?” The thought that comes back every time to en-courage me is the fact that “He holds the future.” I can face tomorrow without fear because He is already there. Will it be rosy and care-free? Maybe, or maybe not. Doesn’t really matter. Just knowing that He’s prepared it for me and will walk me through it. As the Psalmist wrote, “Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will not fear for you are with me.” (Psalm 32)
Can you imagine if He doesn’t live? Tomorrow would be dreadful thought; all is fear; the future is chaos; life is of no value. Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
Praise Jesus that He kept His promise to raise Himself on the third day. If He can keep the promise to do that, then He can certainly keep His promise of hope to us. Not only hope in this life, but in the life to come.
CONTEST: FREE Piano Portrait!
Typically I keep my business and personal blogging separate, but as I start to do the work I love there will be a gradual merging of the two. Here’s an example!
I’ve created a new product called Piano Portraits, where I compose a piano work with you or your loved one in mind, trying to capture personality and beauty. The name of the piano work bears your or their name and 10% of the profits go to a charitable organization of your choice.
The difficulty in creating a new product is coming up with a pricing model that people can get excited about. Well, I need your help in determining that. Here are the steps to enter your idea into the contest and/or vote for someone else’s idea.
STEP 1) Read first about the product:
http://johnalbertthomas.com/music/piano-portraits/
STEP 2) Enter your idea and/or cast your vote:
http://johnalbertthomas.com/music/contests/contest-free-piano-portrait/
Get your family and friends to vote for yours!
Introducing Piano Portraits!
Introducing the latest in unique gift ideas: Piano Portraits!
Don't let the front door hit you on the backside when you leave!
Well, it is confirmed. I’ll be leaving corporate life next Friday, April 17th. I’ve been transitioning out of the software development world and into the world of entrepreneurs and musicians. Can’t say it’s without risk or uncertainty, but music is my vocation…my calling. I honestly could care less about writing code…but please don’t take away my piano. And if you do take my piano, I’ll just find another way to make music. It’s in my blood. I hear it. I feel it. It’s instinctive to me. And now I plan to make a living at it.
To accomplish this I have a few projects in the works:
1) Piano Vine – Stop by http://pianovine.comto see my site where piano composers gather to encourage each other in their careers and share ideas.
2) JohnAlbertThomas.com – currently undergoing a makeover where music will be easier to find and purchase.
3) Stock Piano Music – a service where photographers and videographers can subscribe to license any or all of my piano works for their projects.
4) Piano Portraits – Everyone has a song. What’s yours? I compose custom piano works that are personalized around you or your loved one. They make very unique gifts that last a lifetime. Your baby can sleep to their own song every night. I’m trying to work it so that 10% of the profits from your song go to a charitable organization of your choice.
5) Bedtime Music iPhone App - take your iphone into the room with you as you put the baby to bed and click play to hear soft piano music designed to relax and calm your baby. Calm your baby down with the same music as you stroll through the mall. Put your phone on the nightstand and fall asleep to “Night Falls Softly” and more.
Which of these projects interests you the most? I love to get helpful feedback.
John Albert Thomas began composing original, melody-based piano works when he was 12 years old. His compositions have the simplicity and thinly-layered delicacy of Mozart, combined with a contemporary sound reminiscent of Enya, George Winston, and Jim Brickman. In 1995, John graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, with a bachelors degree in Music Theory and Composition. Upon graduation he moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he now lives with his wife, Rebecca, and their four children. John has released several solo piano albums, and continues his work on future projects. 
