I was fortunate to be asked by composer Andrew Lippa to collaborate with him on a song for this event. We’d been talking about working together on some future project, but when he approached me with this opportunity, I jumped at the chance!

Andrew had an idea to celebrate the genius of little-known, African American pianist and composer, Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins, who had been born blind into slavery in the 1800’s. Blind Tom had a remarkable musical gift for composing, and an incredible memory for performing and mimicking sounds in nature as well as his immediate surroundings. For Andrew to bring his idea to life, he felt he needed a particular type of lyricist, one who might feel a certain connection to Tom, and his incredible life story. He pitched the idea to me, and even though I had never heard of the man, I knew I would be able to deliver what Andrew envisioned.

For one, Andrew Lippa is a tremendous talent in his own right, and one from whom I knew I could learn a great deal about writing lyrics for musical theatre. Secondly, I’ve never had the experience of having one of my original songs performed by such a prestigious choir as the San Francisco Gay Men’s Choir! What?!! That’s super exciting to me. And finally, I learned so much about the life and times of Blind Tom, and how he overcame the extraordinary challenges in his life, it made me think that if he could do that, then there really is nothing to stop me from overcoming challenges in my own life.

I hope the audience will be emotionally moved by my lyrics, and that I’m able to put into words those deep thoughts and feelings that they, themselves, have not found a way to communicate.

I hope the audience becomes more open-minded, and more accepting of others who choose to live under alternative beliefs and lifestyles. I also hope the audience gains a true appreciation for the genius and musical mastery of Blind Tom Wiggins, and a realization that every single person has a unique gift to offer to the world. When we allow and encourage each other to find, develop, and share their gifts and talents, whatever they may be, then we all benefit, and I know it sounds corny, but it really would make this world a better place.

Blind Tom’s blindness is what ‘disqualified’ him to do the work of the other slaves in the fields and allowed him the time to focus on and develop his true musical talents. In that way, it could be said that his blindness was a blessing in disguise. Perhaps this piece will have those hearing it to take a closer look at the things in their own lives that they may consider to be a malediction, and maybe see them, instead as a place they might find their own ‘silver lining’

Personally, I truly believe that as humans (spiritual beings having a human experience, on Earth) we are a part of the grand scheme of our universe, and that everything, and everyone in this world has purpose. In this life, it is our charge to seek out and find our greatest purpose and live up to it. And that, in my never-to-be-humble-opinion, is what gives me hope.