Shine On Me Crazy Neil Diamond...

In a bit of a tribute of my own, I'd like to make reference to this weekend's honoring of the great and incomparable Neil Diamond as this year's MusicCares Person of the Year.

Growing up a child of divorced parents, I often had to learn many of life's hard lessons on my own. My mother was a strong and nurturing woman but she could not completely take the place of my father who was not always around. Although my dad was only a phone call away it was never quite the same as having that face to face contact.

When I was a young boy around the age of seven years old, I remember my father introducing me to the sounds of Neil Diamond. I knew right away that his music made me feel different. There was a comfort that came with it unlike any other music I was accustomed to. It might have been the deep and soothing tone to his voice or it might have been the familiar and catchy melodies. But for one reason or another I always felt safe when it was playing in the background. The music of Neil Diamond would ultimately become the metaphoric soundtrack to my life. Now I am a father of two children. I truly understand how important it is to teach and guide young hearts and minds, especially in this unforgiving world. It's not always easy to say and do the right things. Speaking from experience I can honestly say that no parent can possibly be expected to make the right choices day in and day out for their kids. Sometimes children have to learn for themselves, however painful the lessons may be. It must have been a helpless feeling for my father to know he wasn't going to be there for me every step of the way. How could he have possibly left me to figure it all out on my own? But what if my father brought Neil Diamond into my life for a very specific purpose? Is it possible that he felt after he left the house and moved on with his life he knew that I would need some kind of teacher to help me solve whatever riddles life would throw my way? Did my father feel that by giving me the gift of Neil Diamond, his music would ultimately steer me down a higher path of wisdom and morality? I believe that my father made a very conscious choice back then. I believe that my father knew he could only trust one man to raise me through his lyrical lessons of life. Only one Solitary Man would be able to guide me out of those Brooklyn Roads and insure that I was Headed for the Future. God Only Knows what I would have done if I had to face Street Life on my own. As If he told the Story of My Life through his Song Sung Blue, Neil would Play Me his Beautiful Noise and ultimately show me how to turn on my Heartlight. I Got the Feelin' that I would Be in a much different place if it were not for Neil but I'm Alive and I'm a Believer. It is because of all of this that I truly believe Neil can Walk on Water. As a young man he comforted me through Love on the Rocks and eventually inspired me to ask my beautiful girlfriend to Marry Me. Since then she and I have climbed The Mountains of Love together and become A Modern Day Version of Love. Mothers and Daughters / Fathers and Sons will forever benefit from his wisdom. Dear Father I now understand it was A Matter of Love. All I Really Need is You to know, I Am I Said. If You Know What I Mean...

Every now and then I Reminisce For a While and Say Maybe my Dad was a High Rolling Man but he was able to Save Me on that September Morn when he first introduced me to my teacher, my mentor and my second father, Neil Diamond.

So America, I ask you all on this weekend of tribute to raise your glasses of Red, Red Wine and toast a man who has taught each and every one of us to be a Stargazer, Someone Who Believes in You and a man who has always done Right by You.

Here's to you Neil. Without you I would have certainly been Out-Numbered...