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♪ Journey from Success to Significance

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Rick

It was the morning of September 1, 2011. The water was running at the bathroom sink as I prepared to shave. Something was wrong.

I said to my wife; “Marla, I don’t feel well. I’m going to sit down.” I sat on the bench at the foot of our bed. Almost immediately, I had an aura of impending doom – an overwhelming realization that something terrible was going to happen and I had absolutely no control over it. To be candid, it was terrifying.

I laid down on the bed and blacked out. Darkness. Marla tells me that I had a grand mal seizure. Empty black space.

Flickers of consciousness in the ambulance – more out than in – until my brain gradually re-booted in the Emergency Room. Praise the Lord my brain re-started!

Over the weeks that followed, God brought me valuable insights. My life script had been to acquire, to survive, and to look good doing it. Yikes. It was all about me. It was all about “success”.

What a jarring realization. I simply hadn’t realized that this was the “lens setting” that had filtered my life. This life scripting had set my world view.

What an opportunity!
I have intentionally shifted my life script, my lens settings from acquire to relate; from survive to savor; and from look good to leave a legacy. I choose to leave a legacy through memories, through music, and through making a difference for God’s kingdom. I couldn’t make the shift from success to significance until I re-set my lens and re-scripted my purpose.

Our life script is the core of WHY we are. It can be toxic or healing. In my case, it was so subtle, yet so powerful that it took a physical, neurological short-circuit to change it. I praise the Lord for my clearer vision and re-focused purpose.

Good news
My neurologist says that I do not have epilepsy. All the tests were normal. I am grateful.

It was a “provoked” seizure; a short circuit of the brain induced by too-high levels of stress coupled with inadequate sleep. At my physician’s direction, I’ve reduced my commitments and stress levels, increased my sleep, and will be on medication for 6 to 12 months. Consequently, I’ve committed to fewer PIANOLatte concerts and events.

Praise the Lord for these insights. If you can relate to this journey from success to significance from YOUR experience, please make a comment! I’d enjoy learning from your experiences and insights. Thank you for being a friend and supporter of my music ministry.

With gratitude,
-Rick

Posted in From Success to Significance | 2 Comments

♪ King’s Heralds CD project underway!

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Rick

I’ve been working on a new project with the King’s Heralds quartet.  Russ Hospedales, their extraordinary baritone, is their gifted music arranger.  Russ sends me an electronic link to songs he wants to include on the project. I listen to them, determine the key(s) they’re in and craft a piano arrangement.  I then record the arrangement with engineer Jeff Dykhouse on either the Steinway or the Bechstein and send it to Russ.  Russ designs the vocal arrangements for the King’s Heralds to record over the piano tracks.  It’s quite a process!

So far, I have recorded four songs, including “I Know Where I’m Going” a gorgeous scottish ballad with a wonderful message.  The words are in a previous post, below.  This was originally arranged by Wayne Hooper in 1970.  I modified the piano arrangement and Russ will  shape the vocal arrangement.  I can’t wait to hear the new arrangement with the rich tones that only the King’s Heralds’ voices can deliver.

I also recorded “Teach Us to Pray.”  This is a lush melody with a  poinant message.  “Teach us to Pray, Teach us to Pray.  We are your children; help us know just what to say.  Teach us to worship, love and adore Thee with your understandin, Teach us, Lord teach us to pray.”   It’s a beautiful piece of music that I believe will touch hearts.  I am Glad Russ included it.

I also recorded my own arrangement of “My Jesus, I Love Thee / Oh How He Loves You and Me.”  This was my selection for the guys.  It opens with arpeggios which weave around the vocals; “My Jesus I love Thee, I know Thou Art Mine; for Thee all the follies of sin I resign; my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.”   We transition to a new key for the verse “I love Thee in life; I will love Thee in death…”  After that verse, we transition again to a fresh key for “Oh how He loves you and me!  Oh how He loves you and me!  He gave His life, what more could he give?  Oh how He loves you!  Oh how He loves me!  Oh how He Loves you and me!”  And we move to the final key for “In mansions of Glory and endless delight…”  I play some lush chords with an arpeggio up to the ending which repeats to fade for featured vocals.  Can’t wait to hear warmth and unmatched harmonies of the King’s Heralds on this arrangement. 

Finally, I recorded the vintage favorite,”Yes, He Did!”  “He took my feet from the miry clay; Yes He did!  Oh Yes He did!  And He placed them on the rock to stay, Yes He did!  Oh yes He did!” 
Finally, in October, I’ll be recording “Since I have been Redeemed”. I hope the result is a blessing to all who hear it. Stay tuned! :)

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♪ What a time in Phoenix!

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Rick

What a treat it was to join the Vintage King’s Heralds and the current King’s Heralds quartets for an amazing evening of praise and worship in Phoenix on April 9th!  I started the evening on the piano at 6:30 pm.  I played Majesty!, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, Be Still My Soul (Finlandia), Great is Thy Faithfulness/How Great Thou Art, Edelweiss/Beautiful Garden of Prayer/In the Garden, Amazing Grace, the Old Rugged Cross, and more.

After the King’s Heralds sang an opening set, the Vintage King’s Heralds took the stage to a standing ovation!  They sang together as if they had never stopped singing since the 70s.  The audience responded with applause when they sang their vintage classic “Lift up the Trumpet!”

After all eight vocalists sang together, I played a new song, arranged expressly for this concert:“Bless the Lord, O My Soul!”  This upbeat melody is so meaningful to me: “Bless the Lord, O My Soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name…”

The audience was agian on their feet as the Kings’ Heralds sang their amazing interpretation of “Champion of Love.”  Baritone Russell Hospedales powerfully communicated the message of Jesus death and resurrection that we might have life with Him forever!  Yes, Jesus IS the champion of love!

The last song, performed by all eight of those powerful voices, was “Side by Side.”  I couldn’t stop crying as I thought about seeing my Dad again, and giving him a BIG hug as we sang the words; “Meet me in heaven, we’ll sing songs together, meet me at the Savior’s side. I’ll meet you in heaven we’ll join hands together.  Side by side we all with be there.”  Another spontaneous standing  ovation…

As we celebrate the resurrection that give us our assurance and sure hope, let’s make a date to meet in heaven by the tree of life.  Side by side we all will be there!

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♪ Music and more…

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Rick

I’m having the time of my life getting ready for the concert with the Vintage King’s Heralds and the 2011 King’s Heralds quartets in Pheonix on April 9th. Here’s a placeholder list of a few of the songs I’ll play that evening; Majesty!, Be Still My Soul (Finlandia), I worship You Almighty God (There is None Like You),  Amazing Grace, Into My Heart/Now I belong to Jesus, Edelweiss/Beautiful Garden of Prayer/In the Garden…

Offeratory and special music will include the upbeat Bless the Lord, O My Soul and the perennial favorite Great is Thy Faithfulness/How Great Thou Art. Do you have other suggested favorites?

I’m working on a song to accompany the King’s Heralds on a new album, the song is I know where I’m Going.  I’m working to give fresh meaning and new life to this classic treasure.  I think you’ll appreciate the lyrics: 
 

I know where I’m going, and I know who’s going with me
I know why there’s music in the quiet somber morning
I found a wealth of gold and silver have I plenty
I found a light to guide me when my way gets dark and stormy

I ask you now; “Where are you going?”
I ask again; “Who will walk beside you?”
I ask you when… “When the night is gloomy
Where is the light to guide you?”

And, where’s your gold and silver brightly shining?
Who writes the music in the quiet somber morning?

Where are you going…?

 

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♪ The King’s Heralds concerts!

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Rick

Wow! I had an amazing time Friday night March 11th at First Baptist Church of Hemet and again on Saturday evening March 12th at Southwest Christian Church in Temecula.  At both concerts the featured artists were the King’s Herald’s quartet. They brought amazing musicality, warmth, humor, and most importantly, they shared Christ’s overwhelming love and matchless grace.  Those were evenings of inspiration and meaning that I will cherish.

I’m delighted and honored that the King’s Heralds have invited me to bring PIANOLatte to their Then and Now concert April 9th in Phoenix, Arizona.  Joining the current King’s Heralds quartet at this concert will be the 1970′s Vintage King’s Herald’s quartet who performed at the Georgia Dome last year to 9 standing ovations!  I am honored and thrilled to be invited to join them for this concert.

Join us in Phoenix!  The concert wil be at the Camelback Seventh-day Adventist Church in Pheonix on Saturday evening, April 9.  I’ll be at the piano at 6:45 pm.  See Concerts & Events for ticket information.

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♪

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Rick

March 5, 2011

I’m having fun preparing for the concert on March 11 with the King’s Herald’s Quartet!  Here are some of the songs I plan to play during the Prelude:

  • Bless The Lord, O My Soul!
  • Be Still My Soul (Finalandia)
  • There is None Like You
  • Majesty!
  • Just As I Am / Close to Thee
  • Amazing Grace!
  • Nearer, Still Nearer,
  • Edelweiss /Beautiful Garden of Prayer/In the Garden
  • Into My Heart / Now I Belong to Jesus

For special music, I’m playing Great is Thy Faithfulness / How Great Thou Art!

…I hope you’ll be able to attend.  Do you have a favorite song you’d like to hear?

Rick

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♪ Previous Newsletters

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Rick

Thank you for your interest in our Friends of PIANOLatte Newsletter. Here are previous issues:

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