A long day at work

When God created the whole universe in 6 days, He took a breather on the 7th day. It was so important that He blessed that day.

So what did He do? Did He take a nap? Or did He chill out in a cosmic armchair and enjoy His creation?

All I know is that after I've really worked hard and given my all, sometimes the best reward that I can experience is to unwind my mind at the piano. For me, making music is like curling up on the couch or eating an ice cream cone.

I don't record a lot of free-form jazz, but sometimes it just hits the spot. I think my wife knew I needed to go straight to the piano as I walked in the door..

And as soon as my fingers brushed the keys.. I felt all the tension just wash away.

And what was left.. well.. I hope it blesses you.


A long day at work.Mp3 (c) 2009 William Cushman (4:43 / 6.5Mb)
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-Bill

Amazing Grace

Photo by P. Neil Ralley

Easter, 2008. His Grace is Still Amazing to me.

Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (5:02 / 6.7Mb)
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-Bill

Beyond

You know, one of the strangest life lessons that I need to learn and re-learn, is how small we truly are.

I mean, how weird is it to be taught our entire lives that if we apply ourselves hard enough that we can accomplish anything... only to come to the final realization that I have basically no relevance to anything in comparison to the vastness of this incredible universe.

And how wonderful is it to know that regardless of my size or relevance, that the One who created it all, still loves me, just for me. It is impossible to refute and it is so simple.

It's never been about me... life is beyond anyone's understanding...

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible..."(Colossians 1:16)

Listen below to my wonder..

Beyond.Mp3 (c) 2007 William Cushman (10:38 / 14.7Mb)
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-Bill

Theme from Mozart's Sonata in C

I couldn't help myself. After listening to this piece over and over as our youngest begs for yet another repetition of his Baby Einstein Dvd, I finally broke down one evening and made the piece my own.

Yes.. it's the same piece. And if you're a purist, please forgive me.. I know not what I do. This is how I hear this beautiful work inside my head. I hope it blesses you as much as the original.

"Sing to Him a new song.."


Theme from Mozart's Sonata in C.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (5:28 / 7.6Mb)
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Sweet

"Laura"© Caleb Cushman age 4

This is a quick post. My brother in law asked me to show him how use my recording software (Garageband) on my Macintosh. So I put together this loop in about 5 minutes. When it was finished, he said, "sweet!". So that's what I named it. When I was putting it together, the clean feel of it made me think of the color blue, for no particular reason. I found this old painting that my oldest son, Caleb, painted a few years ago and it matches the color I was thinking of.
I hope that you can use this music!


Sweet.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (2:01 / 2.8Mb)
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Are you sleeping?

"Mother and Child"© Brett Rogers

Brett was right when he painted this.. there is nothing more beautiful in the world than a mom and her baby sleeping together.

My wife was asleep on the bed with our baby.. and I couldn't help but just stare.

The composition below came into my mind... I sat down and recorded it instantly. Yes, it's definitely slow, and meditative, but, after all, it was the middle of the night.

But, my intent was to be gentle, soft. Like a baby's breathing... and also capture how special the moment was.. how perfect they looked together.

I kept thinking that this little baby in her arms, not too long ago was asleep inside of her. And here they are again... a perfect fit.

I finished the recording and wanted to know if I had woke her up with my playing..

so I asked.. are you sleeping?

Neither of them stirred. And kept dreaming.


Are you sleeping.Mp3 (c) 2007 William Cushman (3:36 / 5.0Mb)
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Sanctity

"Sunrise48"© Mark Thomson

A big thank you to Mark. Honestly, I haven't been able to find a single photograph that captured what I was feeling when I recorded this piece. I've been looking for about a year now. Then out of nowhere, I got a request by Mark to use my music for his slideshows.

So, I do what I normally do, I visit the requestor's website, browse through their works to get a feel for their type of art and then add their link to my blog (over on the left) and then shoot them an email giving them permission to use my music.

I knew instantly, that this photograph was what I was looking for.

The type of Sanctity that I felt when I recorded this piece was vast. I prayed for several minutes before flipping the record switch, and then let come out the first thing that came into my heart. It was appreciation. For the creation of this planet. For life.

I hope you can hear that as well.


Sanctity.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (5:22 / 7.4Mb)
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On my way

"Going my way" Watercolor © Verhagen 2004

So, to quote Dr. Suess.. "The time has come, the time is now."

Me and the fam are packing up and moving back to Florida. It's not that we don't like Nashville, but an offer we can't refuse has suddenly appeared.

There are so many emotions involved with moving. Leaving my friends and all of these memories behind.. it's such a mixed bag of excitement and heartache all at the same time. But... we all must go our own way sometimes.. just like little Julia in the painting up there. And sometimes, it's not our own choice... it's a choice made for us. I can be very stubborn, but even I can't ignore it when my Father calls me.

This piece is a little different because it has a 808 drum groove going on behind it. I actually really like the way that this turned out. Not too shabby for one take completely made up on the fly, eh?

Hope you like it.

On my way.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (4:52 / 6.8Mb)
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Healing slowly

"Broken" Abstract © Dale Hudjik 2005

This piece was actually physically painful to play.

Towards the end of 2003, I had a horrible accident where I had my left shoulder completely dislocated leaving my left arm practically inoperable.

The only solution was intrusive shoulder surgery.

Two weeks after the surgery, I had to prove to myself that I would be able to play again.
So, with my left arm taped to my body, a morphine pump hanging around my neck, and me finally coming off of the Mepergan.. I sat down and forced myself to play...mostly right handed.

It is possible you know..

To heal, that is. Whether it's a shoulder, cancer, a broken heart, or a terrible loss..

He made us able to heal. Like a crack of sunshine in a mass of confusion, like the picture above. It is possible to put the pieces back together...

Even if sometimes it takes a while.

Healing slowly.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (6:11 / 8.6Mb)
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-Bill