This song is a heartfelt celebration of my brother Shawn’s quiet strength and the way he spoke to the world through his music. This year’s song is different—because instead of focusing on loss, I wanted to celebrate Shawn’s life, his quiet strength, and the way he truly spoke through his guitar. My brother was never one for the spotlight; he was gentle, reserved, and carried more inside than he ever said out loud. But when he picked up a guitar, the room would fill with music and something in him would shine. He was the kind of person whose presence brought comfort, even in silence.

Last year, my tribute was about the pain of losing him—the unanswered questions and the ache he left behind. But this year, I wanted to remember the light: the warmth he shared, the hope he strummed into every chord, and the bond we had through music even when words failed. This song honors Shawn as I remember him best—not just as someone I lost, but as the brother who watched over me, whose melodies linger, and whose love still echoes through every note.

You never liked the spotlight,
Hiding in the corners of the room.
But I’d watch your hands awaken,
Every fret and chord in bloom.
Silent through the day,
But at night you’d play your heart
Letting music speak the secrets
You could never put to words.

There’s a kind of truth in melody
That silence can’t erase.
When the world felt far away,
You found your sacred place.

Tell me, did they hear my heart
In the notes that I would play?
When the world was far too loud,
Did my song light up the gray?
And if I fade into the dark,
Will someone still recall
That I spoke my truth the only way I knew
Just me and my guitar.

Old strings and calloused fingers,
Echoes ringing softly through the night.
You were quiet, you were different,
But with music, you took flight.
No stage, no grand ovation,
Just a song beneath your skin
But every strum a confession
For the world you carried in.

Even if there’s no recording,
No record of your sound
Your spirit plays in memory
Whenever I’m around.

Tell me, did they hear my heart
In the notes that I would play?
When the world was far too loud,
Did my song light up the gray?
And if I fade into the dark,
Will someone still recall
That I spoke my truth the only way I knew
Just me and my guitar.

Maybe dreams don’t always find the light,
And some songs end too soon
But you taught me how to listen
For hope inside the tune.
When the silence feels too heavy,
And I can’t find where you are
I remember how you loved me
With just you and your guitar.

Tell me, did they hear my heart
In the notes that I would play?
When the world was far too loud,
Did my song light up the gray?
And if I fade into the dark,
Will someone still recall
That I spoke my truth the only way I knew
Just me and my guitar.

Now whenever shadows gather,
And I’m longing for your spark
I can hear you in the quiet,
Still speaking through the dark.
The music never leaves me
It lingers from afar.
Brother, you’re forever
Just you and your guitar.

Me and My Guitar

Xak Stahl: Alchemist of Sound, Architect of Emotion

Xak Stahl is a genre-blurring music artist, sonic storyteller, and relentless experimenter. Every track he creates is a new world—a kaleidoscope of indie folk, alt-pop, electronica, and global flavors—infused with raw emotion and boundless curiosity. Xak’s music isn’t just heard; it’s felt.

From Shadow to Spotlight

For Xak, music is metamorphosis. His journey began in the shadows, transmuting heartbreak and struggle into songs that glow with hope. Early anthems like “Neon Dreams” and “Rising Through the Darkness” invite listeners to find their own light. His newest project, Major Arcana, channels the mysteries of the Tarot—each song an archetype, each lyric a step along the path from the Fool’s first leap to the wisdom of The World.

More Than Music: A Multisensory Universe

But Xak isn’t confined to sound. As a visual artist and writer, he crafts immersive stories that spill across genres and languages—sometimes haunting, sometimes playful, always honest. Whether he’s conjuring lush soundscapes, weaving bilingual lyrics, or creating striking visuals, Xak’s art dares you to feel deeper and dream wilder.

An Invitation to Transformation

Join Xak Stahl on a sonic odyssey that blurs borders—between genres, between artforms, between you and the music. Each release is an invitation to explore, to heal, to become. For Xak, every song is a spell, every album a universe. The only question is: are you ready to step inside?

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