Yesterday I wrote with James Isaac Elliott at the old Sony building on Music Row. Apparently Mike Curb now owns the building and Belmont University is using part of it for their new song writing program, of which James is the chairman. We were settling in to our writer's room when I looked out the window and saw Reba McEntire's Starstruck Entertainment building across the street.
I noticed what appeared to be a helicopter pad on the roof and remember that they had built one, but that the neighbors all complained about potential noise issues - so they haven't used it. And as thoughts tend to do, the helicopter situation reminded me of Reba's charter airline company by the same name - Starstruck - then my mind went to small planes....and Reba....and of course, I couldn't help but remember the tragic plane crash that killed 7 members her band and her road manager back in 1991. I was so moved by that tragedy that I attended their memorial service at Christ Church. It was so sad. I remember looking at their names and faces in the service program. All of them were under the age of 30 - with so many hopes and dreams ahead of them.
Then...after a few moments of day dreaming - looking out the window - I looked down at the keyboard in front of me and the case that came with it - sitting at my feet. Stenciled on the side of the case was "Joey Cigainero" - Reba's keyboard player who died in that fateful crash. I froze in place. Stunned. I turned to James and said, "Is that the same Joey Cigainero who died in the crash?" He said it was. He said Joey's parents donated his gear to Belmont (his alma mater) so that others could benefit from the use of it. And there I was, playing this boy's keyboard - writing songs he'll never hear - and wondering why it is that some lives end so soon while others continue to live their dreams.
I noticed what appeared to be a helicopter pad on the roof and remember that they had built one, but that the neighbors all complained about potential noise issues - so they haven't used it. And as thoughts tend to do, the helicopter situation reminded me of Reba's charter airline company by the same name - Starstruck - then my mind went to small planes....and Reba....and of course, I couldn't help but remember the tragic plane crash that killed 7 members her band and her road manager back in 1991. I was so moved by that tragedy that I attended their memorial service at Christ Church. It was so sad. I remember looking at their names and faces in the service program. All of them were under the age of 30 - with so many hopes and dreams ahead of them. 
Then...after a few moments of day dreaming - looking out the window - I looked down at the keyboard in front of me and the case that came with it - sitting at my feet. Stenciled on the side of the case was "Joey Cigainero" - Reba's keyboard player who died in that fateful crash. I froze in place. Stunned. I turned to James and said, "Is that the same Joey Cigainero who died in the crash?" He said it was. He said Joey's parents donated his gear to Belmont (his alma mater) so that others could benefit from the use of it. And there I was, playing this boy's keyboard - writing songs he'll never hear - and wondering why it is that some lives end so soon while others continue to live their dreams. 
2 comments:
I love it when those "coincidences" happen - which aren't coincidences at all in my opinion. ... Anyway, great to have you back!! I check your blog every now and then - and what a relief to see you have returned! I enjoyed the 12 Days of Christmas and all...but...really!!!
Marty, you wrote a song some time back that the Talleys recorded and I've sang a time or three in our church called, If You Never Tell Me Why. That song has spoken to mer personally as much or more than any other song I've ever sang. Two things, reading this post seems to speak to the message of that song, and I'm wondering about the inspiration that led up to the writing of the song.
Incidentally, you probably don't remember me but we are both FWBBC alums. You attended with some of my family members, and it was a pleasure to have you sing at a church in Tennessee where I ministered back in the early 90s. Thanks for your ministry, and keep on keepin' on, my brother.
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