Gary Seiler - Turn It Up (2020)

Nothing But Fun. Turn It Up is my new CD released in 2020.So how did this CD come about.
In Jan 2019 I was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury requiring immediate surgery. The surgery was performed by cutting through the front of my neck completely destroying my vocal cords. After 6-weeks I started voice therapy. I had lost 100% the ability to sing. I couldn't hit a note to save my life. I went into an instant depression. I thought I would never sing professionally again. After a week of moping around I started praying and sought council from two doctors, my therapist, family members and some friends. I began an intense vocal rehab program singing 30 minutes a day for a few weeks increasing up to 5 hours a day. After 5 months my voice was coming back. It took most of the year but my voice has come back even stronger. The fear of having lost my voice forever was so great that it motivated me and gave me the drive to never quit. The gratitude I have for being able to sing has never been greater. I began to write again. These songs come from a grateful and positive place.

The Songs:
Turn It Up: Those of us who grew up listening to music everywhere we went and everywhere we still go can relate to this title track which is dedicated to Poco and those other bands that were part of my life growing up in the 60's and 70's. It tells us to turn the noise off in life and turn the music up. By noise I mean the endless network news and the politics.
A Better World: This is a simple heartfelt ukulele driven song that spreads the message that we need a better dialogue to bridge the gaps between left and right, black and white and what ever else divides us so we can figure out how to make this a better world for our kids.
Tell me is a love song written for the woman who saved my life and encouraged me everyday to be better and try to make a difference to anyone who needs the help.
Horses and Cows: Driving down a country road my 8 year old grandson saw a field a horses and cows sharing the same hay and the same water trough and at 8 years old he said, "look Papa, those horses and cows are getting along. Why can't people get along like those horses and cows". It gives me hope for the future of this world.
Tropical Blues: A song that says we all have the blues at times but life is much better when you're in the tropics and you see the blue ocean and blue skies.
Ukulele Shuffle: Is this story a fantasy? Who knows but it's a clever song that says you can't play a ukulele and feel sad or bad about anything. It sparks joy and if you just try it you'll find out just how much joy it will bring you.
The Old Man in the Chair: Written with a deep country balladere in mind, and a true story about my dad. This song came to me from the heavens. Dad should get credit for helping to write this even after he left us.
One More Honky Tonk: A simple country song that reminds us why people go to the honky tonks. It's where you can find a collection of broken hearts.
Chasing Cherries: While sitting on a house boat on Lake Oroville Dr Rob says," life is just like chasing cherries. When you find the sweetest one you should stop right there. with the best. But no, we have to chase after more looking for a sweeter one, when it just might not come."
Island Shores: Why do we go to Hawaii? Because it's paradise! Then we go home. This song tells the story about a couple who who in the middle of their vacation changed their plans and decided to stay. Then they meet.
The Angel Watching Over Us: Helps us deal with life after the loss of a loved one. It's uplifting in it's sadness.