Ode to Mom: Listen to our winner sing to his mother
David Barnett's musical tribute to his mom was voted the winner of our online contest and makes this a special Mother's Day
Star-Telegram staff writer
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Forget mushy cards, breakfast in bed or pretty flowers -- this year, the Star-Telegram asked its readers to come up with something new as a Mother's Day gift -- a song.
After putting out the call to readers for their "odes to Mom," we sifted through the entries and selected seven finalists, who performed original tunes that covered the musical spectrum, from rap to country.
Readers weighed in online (a total of 12,942 votes were cast), and the winner was My Life Depended on It, Richland Hills resident David Barnett's touching tribute to his mother, Alletha.
"I've been writing songs for a long time," said the 42-year-old Barnett, who pointed to the song's bridge ("She gave and gave but she never gave up") as the emotional core of this particular work. "Since my mom is the unofficial president of my fan club, I almost felt obligated [to write a song for her]. ... My song tells a story about a mother's faithfulness to her child in good and bad situations; I think faithfulness is a pretty universal characteristic of moms."
Once Barnett learned of the Ode to Mom contest, he was able to finish and submit a country-flavored composition he'd already been working on. For her part, Alletha, who was aware of the contest but didn't want to pressure her youngest into entering, was moved by his gesture.
"It was a nice surprise," Alletha said. "I'm proud of the songwriting -- there's so much shallow music today."
Barnett, who described his musical background as "eclectic as they come," said he loves good songwriting, particularly that of John Denver, which he said was the only artist, while growing up, that his entire family could agree on.
"The house was always filled with music," Barnett said.
The singer/songwriter credits his friends at George Jones University (a self-described "no-nonsense, straight-forward clinic dedicated to teaching students the basics of how the music industry works" located in Franklin, Tenn.) with getting out the vote, and thanked Geoff Rockwell of Arlington's Rockwell Audio for recording his initial demo. Barnett has posted a full-length version of My Life Depended on It on his MySpace page ( www.myspace.com/grandarbor).
To listen to all the finalists, go to www.star-telegram.com/momsingers
Lyrics to David Barnett's My Life Depended on It
She stood out in the yard all day serving love and lemonade
Pulling wagons, pushing swings, washing tears and wounded knees
In my bare feet and muddy shirt, I knew that I had worn her out
"You can go inside if you've got things to do."
But she played on, like my life depended on it
Even when I didn't want it, she was always there for me
And she was strong, I know she had her reasons
That she never stopped believing that she had to carry on.
She sat beside the bed all night, hoping that I'd be all right
Fighting hard to stay awake, waiting for my fever to break
And though I didn't feel my best, I told her "Mom, you need some rest"
"Go lay down and try to get some sleep."
But she stayed on, like my life depended on it
Even when I didn't want it, she was always there for me
And she was strong, I know she had her reasons
That she never stopped believing that she had to carry on.
She gave and gave but she never gave up
That's the only way she knew how to love
She knelt beside the bed all night, worried if I'd be all right
Asking God to keep me safe, offering to take my place
I was wild and foolish then, living on a dangerous edge
"It's my life, I'll live it my own way."
But she prayed on, like my life depended on it
Even when I didn't want it, she was always there for me
And she was strong, and now I know the reason
That she never stopped believing that she had to carry on
Like my life depended on it.
Kavin Allenson
Song: To Mom
A Houston-born, DFW-based singer/songwriter who's been playing guitar and writing songs for more than 30 years, Allenson hopes listeners find something in common with To Mom, relating to their mothers. Additionally, Allenson has two self-released albums, and in February, he took part in the RPM Challenge online, which requires participants to record an entire album in one month. You can hear more of Allenson's work at www.myspace.com/kavinallenson.
Sample lyric: "Stand tall and true, live by the Golden Rule/You taught me all these things ..."
Steve Gideon
Song:Guiding Light
Springtown-based singer/songwriter Gideon is inspired by everyone from John Mayer to Bebo Norman. Guiding Light, which deals with the loss of a loved one, is a song Gideon hopes reminds people to "keep your family close." "You never know when today could be the last time to tell them you love them," said Gideon. "I lost my mother very suddenly in early 2005, but I know that I told her that I loved her every time we talked. My biggest loss was that my son will never have known her."
Sample lyric: "One day, I'll be by your side/But until then you will be to me/A guiding light ..."
Bethany and Bailey Jarrell
Song:A Song for My Mom
A pair of sisters from North Richland Hills, the Jarrells are not only budding vocalists (influenced by Southlake-based Christian pop artist Kari Jobe and Christian rockers Barlow Girl), but rising stars in local theater productions as well. "This is just one of several songs or poems we have written," the Jarrells said. "We like to perform, from acting and singing to public speaking and debate." They entered the Ode to Mom contest with help from their grandmother, as a surprise for their mother.
Sample lyric: "She keeps the laughter in me/All the day long ..."
Morgan Killian
Song:Mom Song
This teenage Fort Worth resident (her great-grandfather is Country Music Hall of Famer Merle Travis) counts Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood among her musical influences and hopes voters are moved by her a cappella composition. "I hope the song touches someone's life," Killian said.
Sample lyric: "I fall down many times/But you're always there to pick me up ..."
Lin Pence
Song:You Are My Sunshine
A medical office manager by day and fun-loving amateur vocalist after hours, Hurst resident Lin Pence's bluesy acappella ditty honors her own mother, Lee Vradenburg, and reflects her wishes for everyone to have a happy Mother's Day.
Sample lyric: "You are my mother and there's no other/Head and shoulders above the rest ..."
T.R.I.G.G.A.
Song:Mommie Dearest
An Alabama native now living in Fort Worth, Rondell Parham (who performs as T.R.I.G.G.A., which stands for Teaching Righteousness in God's Glory Always) is working on a full-length album. He counts MC Lyte, Common and Run-DMC as influences and says his song "speaks and relates to so many women." You can hear more of T.R.I.G.G.A.'s tunes at www.myspace.com/triggalife.
Sample lyric: "Blood, sweat and tears/You carried me for nine months/And raised me for years ..."
Preston Jones is the
