In elementary school, I took up the trombone. But Twinkle Twinkle Little Star was my downfall. Couldn’t master it and dropped out. It’s some 60 years later now, and my musical accomplishments go no further than a knack for hand drums, the ability to make some pleasant sounds emanate from a Native American flute, and a nice but tone-challenged singing voice..Nevertheless, as I’ve written, music is an important part of my spiritual life.

Because one of my best friends is the singer-songwriter Andrew McKnight, I’ve developed a deep respect for, and appreciation of, people who devote their lives to creating music that helps heal this ailing world and its suffering citizens. I see how hard Drew works to make ends meet for himself and his family because he feels called to the musical life and not the more secure corporate job that he left years ago. Long stretches driving alone on the road to do concerts in theaters, churches and homes. A solid schedule of guitar lessons when he’s home, as well as writing and promoting his work.

He wrote the song Beyond Borders in the wake of 9-11, and he uses that name as well when he appears with bandmates Les Thompson, Lisa Taylor and Stephanie Thompson. In this video, they perform it in concert:

I don’t know how I first started listening to another independent singer-songwriter, Peter Mayer, but many of his songs reach directly to my soul. Here’s his Japanese Bowl:

Pat Humphries and Sandy O write music and perform together as Emma’s Revolution. Here’s their Peace, Salaam, Shalom as done by Community of Christ members and friends:

These ministers of music and hundreds more like them deserve our emotional, spiritual and financial support. They make the world more wonderful.

Copyright 2015 © Mel Harkrader Pine