A sad song, remember my brother-in-law in the Philippines whom passed away Christmas Day, 2024.  I loved him very much, we were family, and despite myself being Caucasian born in Canada from Austrian parents he treated me with such affection and care as only a brother can.  Not a day goes by that I do not miss my brother in law, he will always be in my heart.  I first met him in person in 1997 (President Ramos was the President).  I'll write about my adventures in the Philippines in the near future.  I love my extended family, I love the Philippines, and I love Filipino people whom have always treated me like a Filipino - lol, I even went cockfighting and ate native Philippine food (which tastes great).  It's been a hard year as I've lost 8 relatives in the Philippines since Oct. 2024, but especially the loss of my brother in law, breaks this ole cowboy's heart.

Upuang Walang Laman - Empty Chair

I would like to thank everyone listening to and supporting this channel - PLEASE, like, share or comment as it really helps.  I had a great time making this track - it's my first every Christmas Song - from my heart to yours and your loved ones.  I worked hard to get all the major languages I work with and acknowledge the amazing people of so many lands.  I wish I could visit every nation in the world - and to come and visit all of you!  I've very honored and I thank-you so very much.  Now let the Christmas celebration begin!  Let's make this track - our track, all of us!, go viral!

Christmas Greetings from the Rainforest Cowboy

This is a tragic song, like most others, based on real life issues.  In this case the abandonment of elderly parent(s) of some Overseas Foreign Workers.  While some send monies and letters back to other parents and over time it stops, other children,  may abruptly move on in life.  It leads behind broken parents whom gave everything including their savings to pay for a education only to be rewarded with abandonment, a form of elder abuse.  Many live in extreme poverty or are homeless and other drown out their sorrow with alcohol or drugs.  While the song looks at the Philippines this occurs in many nations of the world. Chinese Version.

遗弃的回响 - Echoes of Abandonment

"We are the world, we are its hope, humanities song, united" .. government won't make the world a better place, corporations won't, neither will think-tanks or even AI -- its really comes down to each of us doing individual acts of kindness -- that the world will begin to improve.  Acts of kindness, whether great or small, it what will propel the world in a more positive direction.  While an act of simple as giving up a seat for an elderly person or a pregnant women or just helping out here and there - the world is a mosaic of individual deeds.  Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays from the Rainforest Cowboy.  Note: If you wish to volunteer, or, donate I'll post their website shortly (you'll find it with a search for Oasis Dufferin Community Centre, Toronto, Canada.  I'm simply sharing their story.

We Are the World We Are Its Hope

So you want to know more about the mysterious (and handsome if I do say so myself) Rainforest Cowboy?, eh,

In school I majored in music for four years playing in an orchestra and a band.  Specifically, I played a western brass instrument called a "Tuba" - it's a bass instrument and like drums carries the beat for a composition.  My instructor was a traditional German composer/conductor .. and they love Tuba's so it was a lot of fun.  I also played early keyboards and organs getting into the nascent MIDI interfaces of the day with an Atari ST.

I attended many orchestras at this time and got into early New Age type music such as Fresh Aiire (which I consider experimental). This really kicked off my interest in traditional instruments around the world, languages (even spoken languages are essentially musical), cultures - why I really enjoy fusion mixes.

My father had cancer during my school days, I worked those years in addition to taking care of my father.  When he passed in my final year I left music as I have to work very hard in order to survive.

I volunteer at various places as time permits, at one I pick up food for elderly women.  Seeing how hard the staff and volunteers worked helping so many I decided to try to create a song for them, my way of saying thank-you and also encouraging them.  Some people had suggested I go public .. in fact the same people suggested I start a Sound Cloud site .. which I knew very little about (just a few weeks ago).

It's been great fun.  Here is the process:

I start with an idea, then research for days to several weeks for accuracy and depth.  

Once researched I create a shot story based upon the original idea/concept.  I love true life stories, emotions, passions and work hard to get that into the lyrics (which is basically poetry).  When younger I was the #1 author in my field, worldwide, so for me writing has been a lifetime passion and poetry (lyrics) is the dessert.

Once I have it all 'fleshed out' I get into my nerdy-tech interests.  I've been involved in PC's since an Apple ][ back in 1977.  I also, as CIO, took a company from 10K in sales to over 2-Billion within 10-years and doing all aspects of IT and robotics was so so much fun.  This is why I love the AI side .. I'm getting into the LLM and really merging it with music.  For example, I'll specify (say) G Minor, the tempo (timing, beats), vocals, languages, instruments and so forth ... it's almost like C++ programming.  From there I take the lyrics and clothe it in song.  So I'm basically merging musical theory and tech.  Again, the story/lyrics are the most important aspect but the tech side sure is fun.

Finally, as I was an artist as well, I spend a lot of time doing the various track covers(which are all custom made my me, only, I tend to do them at 4K or 8K.  Then there's last but not least, organization and all the background work to keep it organized.

I'll get an email address up - if you have a story to tell let the ole Rainforest Cowboy know.  I love to write about peoples' experiences, their cities and nations, hobbies, hopes and fears.  Maybe you're in love, promoting a charity, or missing a lost one - if you would like to share, I'll make a song about it.

Upuang Walang Laman - Empty Chair

Rainforest Cowboy

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