Tom Pease is an incredible children’s performer and a dear dear friend of many years. Pictured here with an equally incredible performer and dear friend, T.R. Loon. Tom’s taught me so much about singing with kids, and even though we work together somewhat often, I’m still in awe of how children just take to his performances. As do adults. If I were in charge of a PTA at a school and I needed entertainment for a family event, I’d hire Tom over anyone else. His website is here.
Tom and I have written a lot of songs together. His son just got married, and Tom created a wonderful song for Morgan, touching and light and deep, all at once. I was helping him as he worked on the words, and I thought about all the times we’ve written together, and how Tom gets this far away look on his face, often saying, “There’s something there…” He’s reaching for an idea.
Thence, this song. I love that feeling of reaching for an image or idea or word.
As the title of Tom’s great recording says, “I’m Gonna Reach.”
There’s something there that I can feel
Just beyond what I can see
Something there that’s almost real.
Waiting there for me
Like an apple in a branch
Hidden high and out of sight
If I stretch I can reach it
Shining in the light.
Like a lighthouse on the shore
Like a whisper at the door
Like a feather on my skin
This is where the song begins.
Moving stealthy as a hunter
Don’t look but don’t look away.
With the touch of invitation
Mud turns into clay.
© Stuart Stotts 2014