Grateful

I’ve discovered, that for me, making music is a winter sport. Thanksgiving comes, and I want to make music. I felt the pull last week, and wanted to find a song about gratitude that I could sing around the house with my live-in bandmate/wife Necia.😀 I didn’t really find one that was resonating, so I decided we should write our own. So… I sat down at the piano, and this is what came out.

It’s all true. So much to be grateful for. Whenever I stop running a million miles an hour and pause to reflect on it all, this is how I feel. Is this real life? How fortunate am I?

I’m still trying to crack the code and figure out how to live permanently in this “wide awake” state where I see things “clear as day”: where inconveniences seem as insignificant as they usually are, and the reality of the fullness of life itself is an overwhelming gift.

Creating music is my happy place. It’s a gift to do it with my wife, and share the songs with my family, my friends, our tribe, and anyone who feels a connection. Lady & Gentleman was a music project that got derailed a bit by Covid, but there are many more songs ready for the studio. We’re excited to share them soon. In the meantime, we’re feeling grateful. For the gift of music. For family. For life. For you. 

Thanks for listening.🙏❤️

Heavy (Birdtalker Cover)

We love this song, and hope you do too. It's message is both timeless and timely. These past few months have been a unique, challenging journey for all of us. As we’ve navigated unprecedented circumstances, we’ve experienced some highs and lots of lows. “Heavy” is the best way to describe what we’ve felt personally and collectively at times. Uncertainty. Fear. Overwhelm.

In the thick of it, this song has been playing in our heads and calling us to find peace amidst chaos. We wanted to share it with our community as a mantra of hope. Hope that we can individually and collectively replace fear with love and “leave what’s heavy behind.”

Musically, this was a fun challenge. One of the main questions we have as we start this new journey as a 2-person band is - "How are we going to perform live?" Do we need a band? Can we just play all the instruments ourselves? We're leaning toward the ladder. What do you think?

Prodigal Daughter (Not Alone)

Our first song and video release. Jon talks about his musical rebirth after a near-death experience, the creation of Lady & Gentleman with his wife Necia (Neesha) and the story behind the song. And then… Jon & Necia perform “Prodigal Daughter.”

Prodigal Daughter (Song Only)

Don’t have 7 minutes? Or want to watch just the song because you’ve already watched the full story? We’ve got you. Here is a video of the song only. But if you have a couple extra minutes, be sure to watch the video above. 10 out of 10 people surveyed preferred the experience of watching the full video which shares the backstory on the creation of the band and the inspiration for the song.

Days Like This (Kim Taylor Cover)

We filmed "Days Like This" on the last day before Corona Virus Lockdown/Quarantine in Michigan. It’s a beautiful song and perfect for this unusual moment in our collective experience. A time to pause, reflect and be grateful for all we have during trying times. Check out the video and read Necia’s reflection below:

"Days Like This" caught our ears and hearts from our first listen to the original, performed with raw beauty by Kim Taylor. We knew we wanted to learn it and share it with Our Tribe. Now, months after our first listen, and during this crazy time in history, we hope this song will speak to you and guide you to reflect on the important things in your life. That you find beauty in nature. That your heart is filled with love. That you will be encouraged to be gentle to yourself. That you may find peace in letting go of regret and things you cannot control.

I went out for a run the other day to 'clear my head' after watching the news. School was officially 'out' for the rest of the year. More people were sick and had died from the coronavirus. Further guidelines for social distancing were implemented. I was feeling overwhelmed. Sad. Heavy. Self-doubting. How was I going to merge all of my life's roles and identity into any semblance of a successful outcome? Teacher. Mom. Homeschool Teacher. Wife. Cook. Housekeeper. Fitness lady. Daughter. Sister. Friend. Musician. Conflict manager. Entertainer. Comfortor. Helper.

My run became a walk. My heavy breathing turned into singing - This song. I looked up at the big beautiful blue sky above me and let the sun warm my face. I let the words warm my heart. I cried from the pain and beauty of it all. And then, I was able to move on with my day.

This song helps me focus on the important things in my life. It's peaceful. Simple. It helps me turn my eyes upward. It steers my thoughts from inward to outward. Some of the heaviness in my soul is lifted as I sync to its calming lyrics. My heart is warmed by thoughts of those I love and those who love me.

I hope it does the same for you. We would love to hear what this song brings to you, how it resonates, how it is helpful, calming, or meaningful.