A Delicate Subject
These past two weeks have been rather emotional as I’ve been working on my next project. I have been delicately working with ten families who have lost an unborn or newborn baby to honor them with free Piano Portraits, creating piano works that are truly inspired by the uniqueness and value of their little ones.
Please forgive me if this a sensitive subject for some of you. I am trying to be as respectful as I can, but this project needs to be done as the moms I have talked with have expressed their deepest gratitude. Talking with them, looking at photos and videos, hearing and reading the stories, has been difficult at times, but I believe that healing is taking place.
I have composed and made rough draft recordings of three piano works already, and I will continue over the next couple of weeks.
Through the encouragement of another composer, I discovered the feasibility of orchestrating my piano works as well as releasing a solo piano version. So now I aim to release a 2-CD set, one solo piano and the other orchestrated. This will take longer to accomplish, but I think you’ll enjoy the results that much more.
Please pray for me as I continue to minister to the families of Gracelynn, Cameron, Mackenzie, Jayden, Paige, Isaac, Layla, Shaunna, Christopher, and John. I know that they (and you) will be blessed as we walk together through this experience.
John
P.S. I am currently looking to supplement my income through concerts in people’s homes, background music for parties, selling my music to companies as hold/background music, and even website development. If you know of any opportunities, please send them my way. Thank you!
Does Your Company Use Music?
Did you know that all businesses have to pay royalties to entertain customers with music, even if it’s just the radio playing in the background?
Because of that, I have made my 80+ minutes of piano music available to license for these purposes and more:
| Photo Slideshows Wedding Videos Website Music Background Music Special Events |
Lullabies Memorials/Funerals Church Music Communion Service Hold Music |
Radio Spots TV Commercials CD/DVD Productions Promotional Videos Restaurant Ambience |
To license my music for use in your business, please visit http://PianoGraphy.com.
Featured Fan: Anthony Dodson
I asked Anthony Dodson to tell us all a little about himself. Here’s what he had to say:
Upfront I must confess that Christ is first and foremost in my life, and my relationship with Him colors everything I do. That being said, ”Where do I want to see myself in the next ten years?” is a question that I am deeply compelled to have an strong answer for. After many years in food service I have found myself drawn again to webpage design, something I did during the internet’s very early years. Reading Dan Miller’s newsletters (48 Days To the Work You Love) has given me the boost I need to finally choose self-employment. My love for creativity (thanks, Mom), my technical know-how, and my photography abilities make web site design seem a perfect fit, a place to burn some of those creative fires inside of me. And I love helping others; I am excited about working with people to bridge the gap between their business vision and an online solution. I currently live in Tullahoma, TN and am looking for employment while I build my business on the side. To tout John’s music just a bit, I was so delighted when I stumbled upon his work because it was exactly what I had been looking for. His music is peaceful and serene without being boring; it’s stirring and inspiring and has many potential uses in my line of work. I have used and look forward to using his composition quite a bit in the future for slide shows and other creations. John is a great conversationalist and also writes wonderful blogs, but I probably don’t have to tell you guys that. I appreciate John for making me the fan of the week but I would be amiss if I also didn’t say “Thank You” to John for all the gifts that he shares with us.
Thanks, Anthony!
Tip: Answering These Questions May Change Your Life
Ask yourself, “What would I do tomorrow and the rest of my life if I was given $100,000,000 tonight?”
After paying off debts, donating to charity, sharing with friends and family, etc., what would you do? Would you quit your current job? If so, how would you spend the rest of your time on this planet? This is your dream, your calling.
Then ask yourself, “What’s keeping me from doing that now?” A decision you made long ago? A lack of planning? Fear and doubt? Negativity from others?
Then ask yourself, “What behavior or action will I change today, tomorrow, and each day until the dream becomes a reality and the calling is fully embraced?” Routine? Attitude? Time?
If it’s your calling, are you answering the call? Find out how at http://48Days.net. It’s a free online community, and I’d love to see you there to discuss your ideas.
$100,000,000 Dream – Part 2
Here we are several months later and God is shaping the landscape of our lives. Since the last entry regarding this dream I have sought the Lord’s direction in the music world. Daily I have whittled away at ideas, fashioning them till who am I converges with what I do.
Earlier in the summer, Becky and I developed a unique gift idea for husbands to impress their wives. We named it Piano Portraits because in it I try to paint a portrait of an individual in sound, recognizing and promoting their uniqueness and value. The prototypes were a complete success, but we wanted to expand this concept to compose lullabies for children as well.
I was also persuaded that I needed to license my music to photographers and videographers, so I launched a website called PianoGraphy which allows me to interact with them directly. This led me on a quest to find the best way to reach photographers with my music.
During my research I stumbled upon an organization, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, which connects photographers with families who have just lost a baby. These volunteer photographers go in on a moment’s notice and take professional photos so a family can remember their precious little one.
Having spent several mornings asking God for direction with my music, I immediately knew what to do. I called the organization and asked for permission to reach out to 10 families and donate Piano Portaits to them in honor of their baby. With their permission, as long as it was a 100% donation, I posted a call for volunteer families. Within one week, ten families volunteered.
I couldn’t just throw together 10 piano works. I determined to interview each family on the phone. I am still in this process. It has been heart-wrenching to go through the stories, the photos, and the videos.
When I talk with the moms, I ask them to describe their baby. I ask them to list some of the hopes and dreams they had for their baby. I write down these words and phrases. They become the inspiration for the melody, the rhythm, and the mood.
The more I talk with the moms about their babies and what I am doing, the more I realize that this really means something to these moms. It recognizes and promotes their baby’s uniqueness and value in a way that nothing else can. Photos require the attention of the eyes, but music carries throughout the house.
So how does this all relate to the $100,000,000 dream? What if, alongside pastors and missionaries, we open our countryside getaway to families who have just lost a baby so they can have a safe place to grieve? Think about it. The dream grows. I welcome your comments.
Next CD Project Announced!
I am preparing to work on my next CD, which deals with an emotional and sensitive theme. In fact, I need your prayers for wisdom and tact. Here’s the scoop.
In the process of researching how I could collaborate with photographers with my music, I came across the organization, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS). They minister to families who have lost a baby. Volunteer photographers donate their services to take baby pictures for these families. I have decided to donate my Piano Portrait services to these families as well.
You can read about it here:
NEW! PianoGraphy – Music Licensing Service
Over the past month I have been developing a music licensing service for photographers, videographers and other professionals to use my music in their media projects such as photo slide shows, videos, background music, hold music, etc. There are a ton of music licensing sites out there, but I wanted to do more one-on-one collaboration with this community and to provide extra value with an unlimited-use license and a community of like-minded individuals. So I developed PianoGraphy. Take a look and let me know what you think!
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. 
