On February 9th I was the unfortunate victim of a head-on collision when an under-insured driver crossed over into my lane, forever changing my life in a matter of seconds. After 6 weeks of hospitalization, where I underwent multiple surgeries and medical procedures to keep me alive, I finally rolled out of the hospital and got my first breath of fresh air in what seemed like a life time. It was then that I learned that friends, family and total strangers started responding with love, prayers and contributions in excess of $15,000 to a fundraiser my incredible brother had put together for my family, to help with the onslaught of medical bills and most importantly, to keep us afloat while I continued my recovery at home, a long recovery to which I am still dealing with to this day. Because of my injuries, I no longer can sit nor stand for prolonged periods of time and have become highly susceptible to infections. All of this has forced me to leave my position working with special needs students, a job I truly will miss. It is different every day thus it has become a fine balancing act to stay in the least amount of pain. I tell myself every morning, I am alive and that is the most important thing.
Since being released back in late March, I have been back in the hospital multiple times, with numerous life threatening episodes, not to mention yet another surgery. This time, the surgery was for a defibrillator/pacemaker implant, all due to the injuries I received back in February. With current medical bills now in excess of well over a million dollars, and constant ongoing medical treatment needed for the rest of my life, along with my new physical work limitations, my hopes of providing for my family an income that will keep us moving forward while at the same time fulfilling my own American dream of becoming a successful songwriter has all but died... I am a fighter, and believe me when I tell you, I am not dead. I refuse to give up.
I intend to make an album featuring 10 of my very best original songs, and then to get those songs in the hands of my personal favorite singer/songwriters and musicians of the past 30 plus years...after that I hope to get one or more of them to take one or more of those songs, and make it their own...turn it into a commercial hit. I know, it is truly a lofty goal, that will take time, effort, knowledge, and perseverance. But with your help, it can and will happen. One thing I know for certain is all of this will require a great deal of funds to make it become a reality....along with God's hand and a little bit of Irish luck. :)
The cost of making a professional studio produced album is not cheap. Cost per hour in a recording studio ranges from roughly $250 to $500. This does not include the cost for professional studio musicians and marketing.
13 years ago, on a dare, I told the folks I was working for at the time that I could get a song on the radio. Please note that way back in 2008 things were quite different. The internet and YouTube since those days has changed tenfold. However, with clever lyrics, a catchy melody, a somewhat controversial and yet great topic, I was able to do just that with a little "protest" song entitled Kiss My Glass. The song was featured on the radio at 93.7 the Bull, with the Cornbread Show, Mark Reardon on KMOX...and then locally on TV with KSDK, Channel 30 and Channel 2....shortly thereafter it was picked up on nationally and internationally on television with Wolf Blitzer on CNN and Fox news along with the BBC. All this was done basically on a dare. I still have the fire to do something this big...BIGGER. Not on a dare this time, but a dream.
Before I go any further, here are just a handful of artists I would love to get my songs in front of and then hopefully one or more of them would then become a part of this project by performing my songs on one of their very own albums.
Garth Brooks
Chris Stapleton
Tom Russell
Miranda Lambert
Chris Smither
John Hiaat
The Strays
The Avett Brothers
Will Hoge
Corey Smith
Pink
Margie Chadburn
Slaid Cleaves
Martin Sexton
etc
If this sounds crazy, go ahead an pinch yourself, you know if I was there, I would, because I am anything but politically correct...this can happen. I will make it happen. I promise you. I have had wonderful support from my friends for a very long time, and today I am asking you to invest in my future. Your help, love, donations and prayers will never be forgotten....unless I start losing my memory for some unforeseen reason...just kidding, I still have my sense of humor.
While my back and heart injuries are permanent, with God's grace, I slowly have regained my ability to play the guitar and sing once more, and most importantly, my ability to be creative in penning songs I believe so many others could connect with all across America and beyond, if performed, produced and marketed by the right people.
This morning while visiting the gravesites of my mother and father, my hero's, I prayed to God and both of them for guidance in what I should do now, and with the rest of my life, however long I am graced to be still here. As I walked away from their gravesites, I felt their love, God's love and all the love I have received from family and friends across the country and across the pond, not only during this dark period of my life, but throughout my entire life...it was emotional beyond words, it brought this ole American to tears.
By the way, my father, affectionally known forever by Pop, always said he could see Garth doing one of my songs...Pop, please help it make it happen now. Mr. Brooks, if you are reading this, don't let my father down and know that your next hit from an unknown songwriter in the flyover country is just a stones throw away....lol
30 Minutes later I sat down at the computer, glanced over at my guitar, took a deep breath and just began writing. To everyone who has read this far, thank you. I’m now asking all of you, your friends, and family to help me finish what I started at the age of 12, when Mom & Pop gave me my very first guitar, and lit the fire inside of me. Help support me and help me live out my American dream while I am blessed to still be on this side of the dirt.
With your donations, you can help me create my
"Recovering America, The Unknown Songwriter" Album
Like I stated earlier all funds will be used to allow me to make the contacts I need to make, that will then allow me to the devote time I need to polish up 13 of my very best original songs, and then to have those songs produced professionally, and get into the hands of some of the best singer/songwriters and musicians working in the business today.
While my income, health and mobility is still limited due to my injuries, my desire to succeed as a songwriter has not diminished one bit. With mounting medical bills, however, I truly need your help to make this a reality. I am turning to all of you for your prayers and donations, in any amount, that would help me live out this dream and to help show my son (who has been detrimental in saving my life on multiple occasions since the accident), that anything can happen, at anytime, and dreams can still be pursued and come true for those who have faith in God, family and friends.
Whether the goal I have set is attained or not, please know, your continued love, prayers and support is so very much appreciated.