The Kitchen Musician ~ October 2019

Hello friends,

This month I mark the passing of my good friend Bill Kehlenbeck, who lost his struggle with cancer in May. Please join me in the kitchen as I share my thoughts and some music.


Index
  NEWS:
  THIS MONTH’S MUSIC: “Is It Time to Let Go?”
  UPCOMING SHOWS
  FEATURED NON-PROFIT: Cancer Research Institute

Tom with Amy Alvey performing at Massachusetts Walking Tour


The above photo was taken at a wonderful musical tribute in which we celebrated the life of my brother-in-law, Rob Ayres. Singing with me are family members Emma Ayres, Mally Smith, Meryl Ayres and Eliot Ayres.


NEWS: Free Music!

I offer all of my studio recordings for free download (or pay what you want).

My official studio recordings are available for free via my online Store. And all of my informal “unofficial” recordings can be found on my Jukebox page (or in the original “Kitchen Musician” blog posts.)


THIS MONTH’S MUSIC
Is It Time to Let Go?

Bill Kehlenbeck 1953 – 2019

In May, my good friend Bill Kehlenbeck lost his fight with cancer. Actually, if he were here he’d interrupt me to say that the fight ended in a draw because when he died, the cancer also died. I think Bill would never be described as a comedian, but he certainly was a stickler for precision and accuracy. Bill was also deeply spiritual and thoughtful. I will always treasure our discussions, especially in the months leading up to his death. I will also carry with me the memory of the love and care he received from his wife, children, good friends and his professional community at Noble and Greenough School.

Regardless of his progressively worsening prognosis, Bill displayed a positive attitude and never ruled out a possible triumph over cancer. But in the end the struggle could go no further, and there was a kind of peace when he decided to “let go”. I wrote this song as I reflected upon that sense of peace, and the gifts one can find even when one loses all hope.

“Is It Time To Let Go?”, © 2019 Tom Smith (ASCAP)


Bill was a very accomplished musician and singer. An atheist, he once told me that he believed he found in music what others call “god”. Here is Bill singing several Beatles songs only three weeks prior to his death. Everyone in that room knew that it was probably the last time they would see Bill.

Bill Kehlenbeck and friends
Selections from The Beatles
Video time: 13 minutes 22 seconds

I think that Bill really believed it when he sang, “All you need is love.”

Sing your songs and love radically!

Tom

(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)


UPCOMING SHOWS:
Click this link to view upcoming shows


FEATURED NON-PROFIT: Cancer Research Institute

“We are the Cancer Research Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing our immune system’s power to control and potentially cure all types of cancer. We fund the most innovative clinical and laboratory research around the world, support the next generation of the field’s leaders, and serve as the trusted source of information on immunotherapy for cancer patients and their caregivers.”

Please join me in supporting the Cancer Research Institute.

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10 Comments
  • Tom
    September 26, 2019

    Is It Time to Let Go?
    © 2019 Tom Smith (ASCAP)

    I am the last to ask for help
    And the last one to give up
    I am the one who’d dig a well
    To refill his broken cup
        Another way, another try
        Another answer to “why?”
        Add one more straw to my load?
        Or is it time I just let go?

    As my hands cling to the knot
    At the bottom of the rope
    I have a wound that will not clot
    Without the bandage that is hope
        I can only let it bleed
        Watch my history recede
        Is the struggle worth the blows
        Or is it time I just let go

    (TAG)
        In my heart I know it’s so
        It is time I just (let go)

  • Michael Turner
    September 27, 2019

    Tom, thank you so very much for sharing this! I love your thought that Bill would have called the cancer fight a “draw.” Indeed, he surely would have thought of it that way. In this, the first fall since 1987 in which I have not greeted WHK on the first day of school, I find myself repeatedly smiling at things I feel confident he would have pointed out with great humor or that we would surely have discussed together: grammatical errors in assembly announcements, the fact we just passed through a series of palindromic dates (9.10.19—9.19.19), the 50th anniversary of Woodstock (I would guess he knew most of the entire festival setlist as well as the name of every artist in every band). Bill and I used to enjoy semi-regular Friday afternoon beers with Duane Claussen. Several Fridays ago Duane and I raised a pint to Bill. I will continue to honor him as I can. The Nobleonians a cappella group that he directed for many years will be singing one of his old arrangements in our November choral concert.

    • Tom
      September 30, 2019

      Michael, Bill is clearly present in what you write. It is a gift to be able to keep him so close in your memory. I know that will continue for you and so many others who worked with him at his beloved school.

  • Samantha Amey
    September 29, 2019

    Your song for Bill really touched my heart. I have recently lost two very close friends to cancer. Thank you ??

    • Tom
      September 30, 2019

      Thank you Samantha. Very sorry to read of your loss. Music helps.

  • Pat
    September 30, 2019

    Sorry for the loss of your friend Tom. Beautiful and thoughtful tribute.

  • Ursula Sturms
    September 30, 2019

    Loved the song for Bill.Really loved his Beatles songs♥️♥️♥️Love is all we need!

    • Tom
      September 30, 2019

      Thanks for the kind comment, Ursula – “all we need” indeed!

      • Neal Braverman
        September 30, 2019

        Tom, and to all the Family, Loved ones and Friends of Bill, my most Sincere Condolences are coming your way at this time of your loss of Bill! It sounds from Tom’s most beautiful song of Love and acknowledgement that you will ALL treasure the Life and Legend of Bill. I did not know Bill but through Tom’s song I felt I got to know his Spirit which will indeed Live on in his Honor and the many Tributes to come.
        Tom as I mentioned to you right after you performed your most beautiful Tribute to Bill song, I thanked you then and will thank you again because the song went right to my heart. As you said, each one of us have likely already or will come upon this dread disease of all types that cancer is. To one and all, Treasure your memories! The Beatles Tribute made me Smile and I am sure that was how Bill felt doing that Performance amongst so many Family, Friends, Students both Past, Present and will be seen into the Future to bring them his Peace of Joy and Love.

        • Tom
          September 30, 2019

          Thank you for the kind words, Neal. Music helps us get through the tough times.