Laughter is the Best Medicine

(cc) Marc Kjerland - Flickr

(cc) Marc Kjerland - Flickr

I couldn’t even tell you how many times I have been in a restaurant or the grocery store or some other public place, and someone has come up to me and commented, “I knew you were in here somewhere, because I heard your laugh!” Yes, my laugh is that unique. (Actually, the word “obnoxious” came to mind first, but “unique” sounds so much better.)

If You Were Mine

Mark O'Rear

Mark O'Rear

My oldest brother Mark is one of my favorite people with whom to share and compare music. There have been numerous times through the years when Mark has called me to share a song that he really likes, or I have called him for the same reason. Several times, these phone calls have turned into hour-long (or longer) conversations which include listening to songs together over the phone. These conversations with my big brother are some of the most cherished moments of my life!

During one of these phone calls, Mark asked me if I had ever heard of Fernando Ortega. I had not. He mentioned two or three of his favorite Fernando Ortega songs, one of which is entitled, “If You Were Mine”. I fired up Napster on my laptop and listened to the song.

O Sacred Head

My Father's EyesDuring my college years, I listened to quite a bit of Contemporary Christian Music. Amy Grant was a young, fairly new artist at that time. Her second album, My Father’s Eyes, had been released a year before I graduated from high school. The eighth track on that album is the old classic hymn, “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”, sung a cappella and in four-part harmony.

Danny Boy III

(cc) IvanWalsh.com - Flickr

(cc) IvanWalsh.com - Flickr

[PART 3 OF 3]

In my first Danny Boy post

  • I shared with you the fascinating history surrounding the tune to which the words of “Danny Boy” were set, back in the early 1900’s;
  • I explored the possibility that this song may have played an important role in my own family’s history 😉 ;
  • I shared my long-held desire to someday record a four-part harmony version of the song with my four brothers, in honor of my sweet Dad.

The Sound of Hem

Home Again, Home AgainOne night, a year ago or so, I was talking to my brother Mark on the phone. Mark and I both love music, and the conversation that evening turned to music. Mark told me about a group that he had discovered recently, a group with a beautifully unique sound and a simple name, “Hem”.

Even if you have never heard of the group, you have probably heard at least one of their songs without even realizing it. In 2006, Liberty Mutual insurance company aired a commercial that created a lot of buzz. Here’s how the company describes it on their website.

“It all began with a single commercial that gave voice to an entire movement. It prompted thousands of people to start thinking and talking about responsibility, to celebrate the positive things in their lives and the world around them. And it captured the essence of Liberty Mutual’s core belief that responsibility matters, and doing the right thing is everything.”
(https://www.whatsyourpolicy.com/videos/index/9)

Danny Boy (Part 2, in 4 Parts)

(cc) IvanWalsh.com - Flickr

(cc) IvanWalsh.com – Flickr

[PART 2 OF 3] OK, this post is primarily for the benefit of my brothers, but someone else might find it useful as well.

In response to my previous “Danny Boy” post, my brothers and I are making plans to record a 4-part harmony version of “Danny Boy” when we are all together at Thanksgiving. This post is designed to facilitate the preparations for the Thanksgiving recording session.