You know those feel-good stories that people send in e-mail forwards and that show up frequently on the yahoo homepage? Little things that someone did somewhere not expecting any recognition, but the sheer big-heartedness of the deed made it notable? This is one of those stories.

Ever since I was little have loved music. Probably because my Mom & Dad love music, but especially my Dad. Every Sunday the local public radio station in Houston plays blues and every Sunday that blues was on in our house. I remember putting on records, everything from Creedence Clearwater Revival to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Live Live 1975-1985. Willie Nelson and Hank Williams were also played often. At some point before I was 10 I sat in Preservation Hall in New Orleans and listened to jazz for what seemed like hours (looking back, it was probably like 30 minutes but I was NOT a jazz aficionado at age 8).

Which brings us to our tale. Dad had been in the hospital for a little over a week (most of it in the ICU) and I knew he was getting depressed and bored. I was trying to think of what I could do to brighten his day. I decided to make a mix cd, but then figured out it would be awhile before he would actually get it. Then I had a faint memory that I once heard about a volunteer program at Cedars Sinai where musicians would play in people's rooms.

Then I had AN. IDEA. I could hire someone to come and play for him in his room! I called the nurse's station and they confirmed that it wouldn't be a problem as long as it wasn't "a band." So I was settled on a solo musician and thinking of what my Dad would like I decided on guitarist. I did a google search using old and new work-honed "musician finding" methods and found a recommended classical guitarist in Houston.

So I wrote a blind email to this guy, asking for a quote for this special "event" and hoping that it wouldn't be too much money. Now that I had this idea in my head I really wanted to do it, but I'm not exactly rolling in dough.

Guess what? Not only did this guitarist do it, he did it for free. He had never met me, never met my Dad, but he went to a hospital room in Houston and played for 45 minutes just for him. My Dad said it was fantastic and when he called me he was chuckling non-stop and said it was the greatest thing ever.

I wasn’t there and no one has any pictures, but I can still see the scene crystal clearly in my mind and my Dad definitely has a smile on his face.

Thanks, Mark.
http://www.markmooreguitar.com/