Music Inspired by Grieving and Healing

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On June 24, 2025 I have released my album The Gift of Grief. 

It has been a 3 year journey and I have lost 3 dear friends during this time. It is a reminder that our time with our loved ones is so precious and we should not take it for granted. Give the hugs, take the pictures and make those wonderful memories to cherish when they are gone.

I dedicate the album to my brother Ray as well as both of my parents John and Jane Shafer, I will see all of you when my work here is finished.

I will initially be selling The Gift of Grief as digital downloads of either the complete album or individual tracks.

I have also decided to create instrumental versions of the songs on the album because the lyrics are very emotional filled.

Honestly, there are days when the music without the vocal is very soothing and lets us catch our breath from the grieving.

Then, there are times hearing the music with the vocals is very reassuring that you are not alone in the overwhelming emotions that we all have to process during our time of grieving.

Some of the proceeds from the music sales will cover the cost of creating both physical CDs as well as Vinyl LP versions of the album.

My personal experience with grieving the loss of loved ones in my life:

All it takes is when a familiar smell of his favorite food or the music from one of his favorite songs comes on the radio, it can trigger memories of when he was still here.

I call those triggers Emotional Landmines and they tend to knock anyone who is grieving off the path of their daily journey. My dream is that my music will help those that are struggling to verbalize the emotions they are experiencing and my songs and lyrics will let them know they are not alone in these feelings and they are not crazy for feeling them.

I have dreamed of starting a non profit that would be a place for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one by suicide to find information and comfort. My hope is that someone who is struggling with overwhelming emotions will hear my music and it will inspire them to reach out for help.

This has been a dream ever since I was asked to perform my Grieving and Healing music at the Arizona State Conference for Suicide Support Groups.

I also will be working to add more resources for any one who is experiencing the grief of losing a loved one, whether it was a loss due to a completed suicide or any other reason their loved one is no longer in their life.

The tasks required to establish a non profit have been tremendous, but it is a labor of love to do this work. If my music helps those that are grieving or even if it would prevent someone from taking their own life, it will have been worth all of the hard work.

My vision for the Ray of Light Project is to raise money to provide services that will be a bridge for those that are grieving and healing and guide them to local support groups and/or grief counseling.