My First Music Venture (With His help, and for His Glory!)

My First Music Venture (With His help, and for His Glory!)

I began my venture into playing my keyboard for relaxation back in January of 2018. Shortly after the terrible school shooting in Parkland, Florida, I started playing the song, that I eventually named "For the 17," and then actually recorded it. I noticed that the sound came in pretty good on my old Kodak digital camera, so I saved the recording, showing me playing the keyboard. I actually sent the video of me playing that song to Andrew Pollack, the father of Meadow Pollack, one of the victims of that horrible shooting rampage.

Almost a year later, I made a wonderful discovery, that I could use my digital video editing program (Pinnacle) to create an MP3 sound file! That began the journey, where my goal was to create a CD-sized collection of my music. (I also copied all of the songs to my cell phone, which is a very nice thing.)

I finally finished the final song on the album, called, "God Bless America the Beautiful," a medley-type blend of the two songs, "God Bless America," and "America the Beautiful." That song took several weeks, before I found the ways to blend the songs together, finding the tones (instruments), and the rhythm I wanted to use. I finished it, finally, on June 7, 2019, and met my goal of having it done my fiancé Angie's birthday on June 8!

Now, wanting to have a way to share my music with others, I began the search for a platform to share them on, other than Facebook. That search didn't take long, as I found Audiomack.com, and it has been great! That happened last Friday, on June 14, 2019. Over the last few days, I found many of the perfect features that satisfy all of the needs to share this music. Since last Friday, we (with my fiancé's assistance) accomplished the following tasks to get to this point:

Upload all of the songs to audiomack.com ✔️

Discovering a way to use cover photos for each song ✔️

Making actual title covers using the cover photos ✔️

Putting all of the songs in the first album playlist ✔️

Well, there you have it. Mission accomplished. Almost. It is now time to start on Music From My Heart, Volume 2! I can not predict how long that will take, as I never know when a new song will come to my heart. It could take another year. Maybe, but I don't really know. But, at least for now, you can hear the Music From My Heart, Volume 1, all from one easy place! Totally free (it is a gift to you)!  Please enjoy, and relax!



Please know, all of this has been accomplished with His help, and for the Glory of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Music From My Heart

Things on my heart...

Music From My Heart

From my bio at audiomack.com:

I can't read music. I just get on the keyboard, and play, whatever comes to my heart. Sometimes, it could be songs I can remember, where I just play by ear. Other times, it just comes from my heart. This was how I came up with the name for my first album, with 15 songs, "Music From My Heart."

I know that if I share my music, and 1000 people ever become aware of it, only about 100, or less, will bother to check it out. Out of that group of 100 or less, that actually hear it, maybe 10 people will like it. Out of those 10 people, only one will share or comment on it... But that one person that shares it, may be one of those people that influences 10, 100, or 1000 people... I just leave it for the Lord, because that is how He works.

Here is the latest song that I have recorded:


You can listen to all of my songs, 15 so far, on audiomack.com.  They are all instrumental, at least from a keyboard.  The only vocal parts are courtesy of my cat, RC, accompanying in a song or two.

Please be that one person that shares this post.  I pray that you are that one person I influence. I pray that you are that person that influences a thousand people!

Lone Survivors: When we outlive all of our friends and/or loved ones

Things on my heart...

By John Kubicek

"Lone Survivors: When we outlive all of our friends and/or loved ones (from our generation)."

I am somewhat hijacking the name of a book by Marcus Luttrell, called, "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10." As in many books dealing with war, and the heroes that survived the battles, there are times when people went through all kinds of things but still lived, as did Marcus Luttrell: All while many of their buddies didn't survive.

The thought hit me, that the "Lone Survivors" must ask, "Why me? How did I make it through all of that, and not the rest of the squad? Why am I still here?" Back a few days ago, on June 6, 2019, we had the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion at Normandy. A few of those courageous soldiers that participated are still around, and were telling us about their experiences on that "longest day." Yet, most of those that also survived that day had not lived nearly long enough to commemorate the 75th Anniversary, thus, making those that could, the "Lone Survivors."

As we grow older, for those of us that are so "lucky" with longevity in our genes, it is growing to be too often when we hear about one of our friends or relatives from around our age group, our generation, passing away. That thought really hit me the other day, when my father's long time friend, since they were in grade school, passed away. Probably the last person my dad knew very well. My dad will turn 100 years old in less than 5 months from now. All of our relatives from that generation are gone. My dad is a "lone survivor," from his generation of relatives and friends. Now, his best friend, nearly forever, is gone.

So, this evening, I talked with one of my best friends for the last 50 years. We discussed it, mostly because he found out one of our long-time friends had passed away. And, that we know many others that are no longer with us... That, only because of the Lord's will, we are still here (quite surprisingly, considering things we did in our youth and beyond), I have to consider it's a miracle.

This is something that people my age and above have to contemplate about our possible future. What would it be like, to be like my dad, or Marcus Luttrell, and be a lone survivor? Which would be more difficult? Your SEAL Team squad being lost in a battle, or everyone you knew from your generation gradually dying? Well, I can tell you that it is very difficult seeing those of your generation gradually diminishing. And, that it is important to stay in contact with those we know and love. Please always remember that advice!