Last week, my three hilarious and horrible brothers and I (plus one amazing sister-in-law) piled into a U-Haul for an 11-hour journey from Arkansas to Austin. The mission: moving our 95-year-old father to his forever home. Those two massively heavy chairs he refused to leave behind? Worth every herniated disc. My brother Scott and his wife Annette transformed his room into something straight out of a boutique hotel - complete with a bidet, which has led to some interesting conversations.
Now Dad's surrounded by adoring family, grand and great grand nieces and nephews, being taken for daily walks, and settling into his new life. It's exactly where he needs to be and I'll be forever grateful for the care all my brothers have heaped upon him since mom died two years ago.
Meanwhile, back in the frozen tundra of Central Park...
I'm at Strawberry Fields in 30-degree wind chill, playing Beatles songs with semi-numb fingers. Gavin and I are becoming experts at the dress in layers performance technique, except I always feel like I never bring enough. Blake also showed up to sing. Carl had to work.
But here's the thing - people still come. They brave the cold to sing "All You Need Is Love" at the IMAGINE mosaic, their breath visible in the winter air.
And because life likes to keep things interesting, I just got diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma right below my eye. Surgery needed. Januay 29. March 7th show approaching. But hey, what's life without a few plot twists?
For some reason, today's song, Lazarus (different from "Lazarus Come Out") has been on my mind and was my late friend, Dick Remley's favorite song. I buried the sheet music in his grave.
It was written after The Last Session, after being given my bonus round life. I was internally struggling because I had come to terms with my impending death. I should be thrilled!
In it, I recollected how Death was like this sweet angel hovering nearby, who buys me a martini and says he'll make it all go away. And how I could picture the curtain falling.
When Death abandoned me, I was suddenly naked and having to live a new life. Feeling so guilty because so many didn't make it and here I was bemoaning my supposedly sad fate. I felt ungrateful to have these feelings. So I poured it all out into this song.
Listening newly this past week, I didn't remember it being so symphonic! My inner Freddie Mercury was ablaze. Have I ever sung anything this passionately in my life? (Links below).
The countdown to March 7th continues. Will your partially frozen, slightly medical, but still singing storyteller make it to the finish line? Stay tuned...
Warmly,
Steve
LAZARUS
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/58mQxYJqXe6hIJOhIzw4Fd?si=647fb76863fd4935
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/lazarus/1082085482?i=1082085655
YouTube: https://youtu.be/7FXGinGYHjc?si=n7K9vVn_j1Ajg5kn
Amazon:
https://music.amazon.com/albums/B01BIUT0RO?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_rh0gFnsfWlSwWl7AL21YkqFWL&trackAsin=B01BIUSST0
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You are welcome to freely stream the songs but purchasing them (Apple or Amazon) is the best way to support independent artists such as myself. Or if you have the means, you can make a small donation through PayPal or Venmo using my email address: steveshack@gmail.com.
And please share this with friends!
Tickets to our show at Don't Tell Mama, March 7 at 7.
https://shows.donttellmamanyc.com/8788-steve-schachlin-friends-3-7-25
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