Soaring
Welcome to a miracle—a wonderful collection of
songs performed by musical artists from our community, the area served by the
Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks. These artists have donated their talents
to help families of seriously ill children at our current Ronald McDonald House
near Cox South—and as we embrace even more families at the new Ronald
House® within St. John’s Hospital-Springfield (projected opening:
Late 2007.) The Ronald McDonald House is known as a “home away from home,” and
our mission is to help families be near as their child goes through difficult
times. We are amazed by the generosity of these talented musicians, and we
think this collection will become a favorite of yours because it spans so many
styles. We are grateful to the artists who created this CD for you.
The songs reflect the emotions experienced in situations
of life. Comfort, sadness, hope and joyful celebration when things turn out
all right. Each song, whether jazz, rock or lullaby, refers to angels. At the
Ronald McDonald House, we see angels daily—in giving volunteers, go-the-extra-mile
staff, innocent children and our wonderful donors. Listen carefully and you
may hear the rustle of wings behind the melodies and harmonies in this collection.
May it carry you, lift your spirits and cause your heart to soar.
Our Angels
1 John Post God, Why Do You Need Another Angel?
2 Lyal Strickland God-given Tears
3 M-Dock Band Angel Of Harlem
4 Art Bentley Angel Girl
5 Katie McCroskey Great Dream From Heaven
6 Judy Domeny Bowen O, Come, Angel Band
7 Nancy Daily-Green Connemara Cradle Song
8 Gallier Brothers The Seekers Waltz
9 Kelly Van Hoose Smith Angel
10 Robin Luke Teen Angel
11 Jeff Carney My Special Angel
12 Caduceus Angel Eyes
13 Lori Anne Locke I Know There Are Angels Watching Me
Special Thanks
These talented artists have generously donated their gifts of music to help
families of seriously-ill and injured children at our Ronald McDonald House
near Cox South—and
as we embrace more families at the new Ronald House® within St. John’s
Hospital.
Soaring
Performed by musical artists from the community served by the Ronald
McDonald House® of the Ozarks. Benefiting families of seriously ill and
injured children.
God, Why Do You Need
Another Angel? / John Post
Words and Music John Post
John J. Post, a singer-songwriter from Springfield, Missouri, honed his talent
in Nashville. John is currently working on projects with an Emmy-nominated
songwriting consultant in Los Angeles. John continues to write new material.
He wrote his song for this CD to speak to the heart. This is a poignant ballad
with a lyrical melody line, a song about loss and rediscovery. Braxton Bowers,
who plays backup, is just 17 years of age. Affectionately referred to as “Mr.
One-Take” in recording studios, his guitar playing is lightening-fast
and clean.
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God-Given Tears / Lyal Strickland
Words
and Music Lyal Strickland
The affable, laid-back style of Lyal Strickland belies the passion he brings
to his music. His solo performances, featuring acoustic guitar, harmonica and
sensitive vocals, have gained him an enthusiastic audience. By the time he
graduated from high school, Lyal had put to-gether a popular band, 4:13, and
had produced three CDs, writing the songs and playing all the instruments.
His song “Lonely Life” from his CD “These Times With You” was
featured in the movie “Rogues.” His song “God-given Tears” rolls
rhythmically with a message, “A smile without a tear wouldn’t hold
anything dear,” a call to those who carry heavy burdens to keep trying.
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Angel
of Harlem / M-Dock
Words and Music by Adam Clayton, David Evans, Paul David
Hewson and Laurence Mullen
Formed in the fall of 1991, the M-Dock Band uses an acoustic/electric blend
and multi-part harmonies in a classic rock format with a playlist that spans
four decades. The band consists of Howard Cotner (vocals and acoustic guitar),
Bill Evans (vocals, acoustic 6- and 12-string guitars, mandolin, mandocello
and harmonica), John Price (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars), Brent Hendrix
(vocals, electric guitar), Ed Hines (bass guitar), Kelly Brown (keyboards),
Rick Davidson (drums), Steve Quinn (saxophone), Mark Brueggeman (trumpet),
and Curt Jensen (trombone). One of the most requested bands in the Midwest,
M-Dock has opened for Jay Leno, Wayne Newton, The Platters, Moe Bandy, Legends
in Concert and Tony Orlando, as well as playing at Caesar’s Palace. With
lush and brilliant horn back-up, “Angel
of Harlem” struts its soul-train stuff while it finds angels reflected
everywhere, with homage to New York, Coltrane and Davis.
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Angel Girl / Art Bentley
Words and Music Art Bentley
Born up the road from Memphis in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Art was raised in West
Plains, Missouri, the home of country music legend Porter Wagoner. Now living
in Springfield, Missouri, he’s producing his fifth CD in Nashville. Art
wrote this plaintive, beauti-fully sung ballad, “Angel Girl,” for
his friend, Natalie, killed in a caraccident when she was only 18. Art is accompanied
by Chad Harris (harmonica) and Suzan Day (tambourine).
Great Dream from Heaven
/Katie McCroskey
Inspired by the music of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins
and Bob Wills,
McCroskey launched a performance career in clubs and
small venues in
the midwest. After performing in Branson, she entertained Springfield fans
at many local venues before co-forming an R&B vocal band, Wild Hare. She
chose to sing “Great Dream from Heaven” for this CD because it
reflects the purity and simplicity of children. She sings this traditional
hymn “a capella,” giving an unvarnished and poetic interpretation
that comes from the soul.
Oh, Come Angel Band /Judy Domeny Bowen
Words Jefferson Hascall (1860); Music:
William B. Bradbury (1862)
Producer Judy Domeny Bowen
Rogersville, Missouri native Judy Domeny Bowen collects and performs traditional
Ozark ballads and folk songs. Also a teacher and songwriter, she specializes
in writing funny songs for teachers. “Oh, Come, Angel Band” is
based on Hascall and Bradbury’s original song entitled “My Latest
Sun Is Sinking Fast.” “Angel Band” is the first song that
came to Judy’s mind when she heard of the Ronald McDonald CD project.
She says, “I have always found the tune to be quite lovely, the words
joyous and the visual images rich.” Judy sings this traditional song
with joy.
Connemara
Cradle Song /Nancy Daily-Green
Words and Music Traditional Irish, arr.
Nancy Daily-Green, hammered dulcimer/ vocals, performs traditional Irish and
Celtic music throughout the Midwest. For this
performance, Nancy tapped local lads Rick Anderson, fiddle (he and his band
produced his CD, “Red Haired Boy”), J. Beau Buffington, low whistle,
(MA in technical writing) and John B. McHaffie, high whistle, (designer and
manufacturer of McHaffie Irish Whistles.) These musicians create a magical
musical background over which Nancy sings this comforting lullaby.
Seekers Waltz
/ Gallier Brothers
Music Les Gallier and Gary Gallier
Les and Gary Gallier, nationally recognized as pioneers and innovators on the
mountain dulcimer, are redefining not only how the instrument is played but
the music it is capable of. Gary flatpicks melodies on all the strings, much
like a guitarist,
while Les, playing in a
different tuning, slips on fingerpicks to produce surprisingly intricate passages.
The Gallier Brothers compose 90 percent of the music they play, blending influences
from classical, Irish, rock, jazz, and mountain styles to create a true signature
sound. On this song, their ensemble includes Gary Gallier–dulcimer, Princess
Harris–hammered dulcimer and David Wilson–violin and cello. It’s
a driving, rich song, harkening to the sounds of wind and mountain and,
appropriately, dedicated to those who quest.
Angel / Kelly Van Hoose Smith
Words and Music Sara McLachlan
Kelly Van Hoose Smith knew she wanted to entertain from the age of seven, and
she did—on her mom’s coffee table or wherever else she could. After
high school she sang in local bands, then on to Branson for a number of years.
Kelly is now writing and recording original music and performing around the
U. S. She sings “Angel” in a beautifully melodic style, full and
haunting. It’s a search for personal peace promising “you will
find comfort here.”
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Teen Angel / Robin Luke
Words and Music Dean Surrey
and Red Surrey
Robin Luke is Head of the Department of Marketing at the SMSU College of Business
Administration. He became a top international recording artist when one of
the songs he composed, “Susie Darlin’,” charted in the top
five and sold two million copies worldwide. He appeared on the Perry Como Show,
the Dick Clark Show and around the world. He’s in demand at “Oldie’s” concerts
in the U. S. and Europe. Reviving the rock ballad, Robin performs “Teen
Angel,” which hit #1 in 1960.My
Special Angel / Jeff Carney
Words and Music Johnny Duncan
Jeff Carney is well known to Ozarks’ audiences through his performances
in opera, musical theater, drama, and oratorio, as well as his many appearances
with symphonies and orchestras throughout the country. The many roles in his
opera repertoire include the title roles in Jesus Christ, Superstar and Sweeny
Todd.
Jeff lives in Springfield with his wife, Donna, and children, Patrick, Benjamin,
and Elizabeth.
The romantic and dramatic 50's million-seller “My Special Angel” isn’t
actually about a torrid love affair. The songwriter was actually putting his
baby girl
to bed, and was singing to the latest addition to his family—just the
way the Ronald McDonald House feels about the children and families under our
roof.
Angel Eyes / Caduceus
Words and Music Matt Dennis (1947)
Caduceus, the doctor’s band, has been delivering the big band sound for
15 years. Director and conductor Bill Hartman is a music professor at Southwest
Missouri State University and a member of the Springfield Symphony. Carol Reinert,
who does the steamy vocals for “Angel Eyes,” has been involved
in many Springfield Little Theatre musical productions. Caduceus is a not-for-profit
Big Band made up primarily of physicians and health care professionals of Springfield,
Missouri. Caduceus takes its name from the ancient snake-and-rod symbol for
medicine. The doctors are IN the house as they perform this smoky jazz/blues
piece.I Know
There are Angels Watching Me / Lori Anne Locke
Words
and Music: Lori Anne Locke
Acoustic Guitar: Ned “The Band” Wilkinson; Bass: Ruell Chappell;
Piano: Lori Anne Locke; Wurlitzer Electric Piano: Ruell Chappell; Recorded
at: Ruell Chappell Music; Produced by: Ruell Chappell
“The Ronald McDonald House has long been a ray of light to those in need.
My song is dedicated to the “angels among us” who are always ready
to make life better for us all.” Lori Anne Locke
Lori Anne Locke is a mother
of two, so she knows the connection between parents and children, the heart
of the mission of the Ronald McDonald
House. Lori’s
keyboard, guitar and vocal skills were self taught. Until her association with
Ruell Chappell, she had never written or recorded a song. Ruell inspired her
to realize her sizeable talent in the creation and performance of commercial
jingles and soundtracks. Chappell, a former member of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils,
is president of Ruell Chappell Music and Chappellocke Publishing, Inc. Lori Anne’s
lively, lovely song comes from a child’s point of view, full of optimism
and whimsy—and a heartbeat of hope carries through.
Special Thanks
CD underwritten by Heather Ince and Gretchen Cliburn,
Financial Advisors, Merrill Lynch.
Nine recordings and all CD mixing and production
was “performed” by
Ralph Plank of Plank Productions.
The concept for this CD was first discussed
by Judith Garson and Linda Regan over scrambled eggs and oatmeal nearly
three years ago. With the considerable
efforts of area music afficiando
Wendy Myers and support
from the RMH staff and volunteers, this dream
took flight.