Seventeen years ago (December 21, 2002), our dad passed away. My grieving process turned into writing a song about his life.

Recently, I created a new version of "Our Dad" with BiaB...using a style that more closely honors his spirit and the music he loved most.

I still marvel at the BiaB product each time I use it. I think I've exhausted all my songs that fall in the country genre, so it's time to move on to other projects.

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic5jCMdpJ48
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/keefmeister-1/our-dad

Production notes:
BiaB Style: ACCNTRY.STY Acoustic Country w/Pedal Steel
Mixed in Cakewalk Sonar (custom piano parts added in Cakewalk)
Mastered in iZotope Ozone

Our Dad

[Verse 1]
Born into a family big on simple things
Good hard work and music, there was no shortage of
Rich in truth and values back when times were tough
Seven sons, one daughter came to show that love's enough

[Verse 2]
Called to serve his country as a young man
Sergeant in the occupation army overseas
There he met a Belgian girl he’d marry
Together they would build a life and start this family

[Chorus 1]
Our dad, he could sing
Our dad could do anything
A humble man, a gentle soul, he made his family whole
And our dad, he could play anything with strings in his own way
The ever-willing troubadour could always do one more

[Verse 3]
Gifted with more talent than the average man
Wise in many ways he chose to labor with his hands
A carpenter, a craftsman, sure as builders go
An artist, a perfectionist, our Michelangelo

[Bridge 1]
Deep inside his soul a music maker
A golden voice that could have led his life down fortune’s road
Instead, the good Lord kept him near and safer
Whispered teach them all to play, your gift they’ll pass along.

[Verse 4]
With quiet courage he faced each day with new resolve
A lion-lamb he lived his life in mission with the dove
Tough and righteous warrior we saw little of
Its presence sewn deep in the cloth we knew as our dad’s love

[Chorus 2]
Our dad, he could sing
Our dad could do anything
A humble man, a gentle soul, he made his family whole
And our dad, he could play anything with strings in his own way
A peaceful loving music man, our leader of the band

[Bridge 2]
Man’s best friend was often his companion
Dogs that never left his side made homes deep in his heart
Fishing trips and family vacations
Countless priceless memories held dear now we’re apart

[Verse 5]
Night night night night, see you in the morning dad
You're simply the best father this family could have had
Teaching through example we learned right from wrong
Your humor, kindness, and selfless way, through us now you live on