When one thinks of a hero, images of fallen soldiers, triumphant leaders, martyrs and volunteers come to mind. But if there is one thing I have learned in my short 23 years of life, it is that living among us everyday are forgotten heroes who will never get an award for the way they live. My father is one of those people.
Many days as a child I listened to him tell stories of the road, of the gigs, weddings and parties he'd play each day. Many nights I'd watch the lights of Atlantic City dance, wishing I was there with him. Now as an aspiring songwriter and musician myself, my father and I are able to bond as we gig on Friday nights and exchange stories over ice cream in the early hours of the morning. On nights he isn't working, he takes his free time and travels with me to my shows, sets up my gear and sells CD's. In a word, he's a gem.
So when his 50th birthday came in October, I was beside myself as my mother asked me if I had a gift for him, while packing my car with gear for a show that night. I ran in and told my father how sorry I was that I'd forgotten his birthday, but he only turned to me and said "when you've lived 50 years, you've pretty much done everything you can do on a birthday. But I've never set up your gear or seen you perform on my birthday. So let's do that today, ok?"
For the next two hours I ran around the mall looking for something to buy for my father. The thing is he's really not your typical dad. He's an artist. So I couldn't buy him a necktie or a ratchet set or a subscription to Sports Illustrated. Later, as I was walking home defeated, it finally hit me. What did my father and all good fathers really need? They need a little praise. That's what they need.
I went home and wrote this song for my father's 50th birthday. It just came out of me effortlessly, as I think any song will that is written from a totally selfless place. That night, as he sat before me with my mother and sister at a nameless, unimportant coffee house, I played the song in front of everyone. He cried and kissed me. I'd never seen my father cry before.
A good father is a rare thing. But a father like mine is extraordinary. Every father needs to be reminded that what they gave up, what they do every day does not go unappreciated or unnoticed. I hope this song touches you and your father like it did me and mine.
- Anj
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.anjmusic.netTrack List:
1. Praise (Happy Birthday My Father)
Other Genres:
