Unreleased Song #16: May The Music Play (Patreon)

I have kindly been given permission to share the story behind this song. 

For years, Kent & Linda had been showing up to my shows in the Ohio area. They’d usually sit in the front row... She’d often mouth every word, flutter her fingers and sway to the music. He’d have his hand on hers, smiling.

At one particular show, Kent shared with me that Linda was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

It was devastating to hear.

Despite the hardship, they continued to show up at concerts. They even sailed Cayamo Cruise annually! (Cayamo is a music cruise that sails the seas every year, with musical acts like Brandi Carlile, Shawn Colvin, Buddy Miller and more.) It was evident that Kent was an incredibly kind partner and patient caretaker.

In June, I was touring through Michigan, when a fellow music lover, Stacy Trombley, approached me. She’d never met Kent or Linda, but they’d been friends on Facebook… which is where she read a touching post. Stacy sat me down & relayed it to me:

Kent shared that Linda’s 12 year battle with Alzheimer’s was increasingly challenging, and that they’d no longer be attending Cayamo Cruise with their fellow music lovers. Instead, he’d be bringing music into their home for Linda to enjoy in hopes to keep her “fingers dancing”.

Stacy and I cried together in the lobby of the venue. Stacy had an idea… she wanted me to write a song for Kent & Linda. Not only was I tearful because of Kent and Linda’s story, but I was so moved by Stacy’s empathy and her desire to do something for two strangers. <3

What Stacy didn’t know is that Kent had asked me to perform in his home in July. She inspired me to write the song. Now, I was crossing my fingers I'd finish it in time to sing it for them in person! 

As you may know from my song "Unraveling", I watched my grandmother battle Alzheimer’s disease. I know all too well how the disease can change a life. While writing "May The Music Play", my heart broke as I imagined what Kent might go through on a daily basis while the love of his life ‘unravels’. His dedication to Linda is truly inspiring. His love is unconditional. It’s patient. We should all be so lucky to have someone stand by us when we need them most.

Playing for Linda and Kent in their home was one of the most significant musical experiences of my life. It was an honor. I sat across from Linda, and though she may not have known who I was, she knew every word, and every note to EVERY SONG I played that was released before 2015.  She even raised her hands in anticipation of the big vocal moment in “You’ve Got That Way”. I was so touched, and grateful for the opportunity to sing to her and to connect with her through her love of music.

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness month. Did you know that more than 6 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's? Did you know that the part of the brain where music is stored is the last to be affected by Alzheimer’s? Music can reignite the sense of connection with someone who otherwise feels so far away.  So… may the music play. 

XO - LL

Download the MP3 here