adouglas
Well-known member
...is one that is as important to the giver as the receiver.
Very short backstory: My best friend, bandmate (lead singer), and the guy who taught me my first notes on a guitar almost 30 years ago, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer a few years ago. The most important part about this is that thanks to modern medicine he's fine, and will be fine for many years to come.
The next-most-important part about this is that he has had do undergo a few surgeries, each one of which carried an increased risk of permanent damage to his vocal cords.
His third and most recent surgery took place last April. It was a pretty safe bet that his voice would change radically, and quite possibly permanently. So we got together one last time the day before he went to the hospital and recorded ourselves.
It was an extraordinarily hard thing to do. We weren't at our best, but it was, perhaps, the last time we'd ever sound like we had.
His surgery was successful, and he's doing great, thankfully. However, he sounds (no kidding) like Mickey Mouse. It may get better. That's another story. For the moment, what we had for 25-plus years is over.
I've been sitting on those recordings ever since, unable to bring myself to listen to them. My intention was to mix them and give him a CD for Christmas.
Today was the day. I've been heads-down, mixing for 12 hours, and it's done. I'm visiting him tomorrow. He's not expecting it. And it's going to knock his socks off.
Is it great stuff? Certainly not. Is it the most precious 52 minutes of audio I've got?
Absolutely.
Christmas to me is not about the trappings or the gifts. It's about doing good things for your friends, family and others. I'm thankful that I can do something as meaningful as this. It's the best kind of Christmas present.
Bless all of you, and may each and every one of you have a peaceful, healthy, safe and prosperous new year!
Very short backstory: My best friend, bandmate (lead singer), and the guy who taught me my first notes on a guitar almost 30 years ago, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer a few years ago. The most important part about this is that thanks to modern medicine he's fine, and will be fine for many years to come.
The next-most-important part about this is that he has had do undergo a few surgeries, each one of which carried an increased risk of permanent damage to his vocal cords.
His third and most recent surgery took place last April. It was a pretty safe bet that his voice would change radically, and quite possibly permanently. So we got together one last time the day before he went to the hospital and recorded ourselves.
It was an extraordinarily hard thing to do. We weren't at our best, but it was, perhaps, the last time we'd ever sound like we had.
His surgery was successful, and he's doing great, thankfully. However, he sounds (no kidding) like Mickey Mouse. It may get better. That's another story. For the moment, what we had for 25-plus years is over.
I've been sitting on those recordings ever since, unable to bring myself to listen to them. My intention was to mix them and give him a CD for Christmas.
Today was the day. I've been heads-down, mixing for 12 hours, and it's done. I'm visiting him tomorrow. He's not expecting it. And it's going to knock his socks off.
Is it great stuff? Certainly not. Is it the most precious 52 minutes of audio I've got?
Absolutely.
Christmas to me is not about the trappings or the gifts. It's about doing good things for your friends, family and others. I'm thankful that I can do something as meaningful as this. It's the best kind of Christmas present.
Bless all of you, and may each and every one of you have a peaceful, healthy, safe and prosperous new year!
