To the tune of R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World”

It started off with a new President
Hope and change
Innaugurate
John McCain was not ashamed

No more opacity
Sounded great on TV
Followed by Apologies
Obama’s face on our screens
Teleprompted to speak 
Just you wait – the chatter start to matter to the Tea Party
We’re tired of the liars representing our voice
And our government is mired by corrupted choice
Left of left and hungry, in a fury, in a hurry
Tearing down our Rights

One by one reporters cave and start spinning crap
Look at Mathew’s leg: Thrill-in’
Uh oh, Overload, system failure coming soon
We gotta do a Stimulus and do it fast
Listen to Santelli
Bonuses to Wall Street
Money printing faster and there is no end in sight – right

Disconcerted, patriotic, DHS Threats
We’re feeling pretty riled

It’s the end of 2009
It’s the end of 2009
It’s the end of 2009
And I don’t mind

Media losing face
“Coverage” a disgrace
Hannah, James, ACORN
Undercover, ignored
Michael J., Teddy K. and Farrah say goodbye
Getting heated in the Congress when Joe Wilson said “You Lie”
We the People, in the thousands – 9/12 – don’t tell
Limbaugh, Beck – don’t dare
uh-oh, they’re still on air
We’re not scared
Patriots will prevail
No Government, no Government, no Government of lies

Save the Constitution
Preserve our Bill of Rights
and they decline

It’s the end of 2009
It’s the end of 2009
It’s the end of 2009
And I don’t mind
I don’t mind

Balloon Boy makin’ all the news
North Korea making nukes
Neda shot in cold blood
Jihad at Fort Hood
Global Warming, Fistgate
And the spiral in the sky

Climatgate and Cap and Trade and Van Jones: BOOM!
Socalistic, radical, Libotomized… and they’re right? Right.

It’s the end of 2009
It’s the end of 2009
It’s the end of 2009
And I don’t mind

Two years ago, Christmas was forever changed for my family – the meaning of the gift of life more evident to us than we realized before.  At 11:17am, the morning of December 14, 2007, my Grandfather called me with the news that my Mother had unexpectedly died in her sleep.  In some ways I am still in shock - She was more dear to me than any words can truly convey, being a source of strength and wisdom, my mentor in kindness, my first vocal coach… and my friend.  As I said at her funeral, my first real memory is of her singing to me.  Some of the most resonant memories in my childhood are of creating music with her… putting feelings to sound with our voices.  These moments, as are their memories, were and are truly magical.

When my family asked that I sing at Mom’s funeral, I was truly honored… but I knew I would never be able to get through that performance.  The only time in my life I broke down in tears during a performance was during a Mother’s Day duet with her – this request was beyond me.  Instead, I offered to record a piece that we had performed together many times and the one I consider our favorite Christmas duet.  The following version was recorded the night before our final goodbyes, and I hope it may bring some warmth to you on this Christmas:

“Star Bright”
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These are pilot track recordings – Enjoy!

All our hopes and dreams have wishes have disappeared
I wonder where they’ve gone
When did we decide to change the path once chosen?
With no compass, no direction, we got lost

[...]

This is an older recording – pilot tracks/preproduction.  I hope you enjoy!