Father-son connections can begin with love, ride the bumps, and end with love.  Words by my brother,  Stan Morris.

Pedestal

My dad, to me is the shining example of what a father should be. I have no idea why I deserved to be so blessed. I don't think I will ever be what he is. I just hope that I can be a fraction of what he's been for me for my children. Sometimes life gets hard, and you just have to dig deep, and keep going. To me the phrase, "Just be a man," helps me. I'm sure it's a trigger for some, since a lot of people misuse the phrase a lot. The true meaning of it, is encouragement, in my opinion. You're not supposed to have the answers for everything, but if you endure, eventually you will be a man, and you will feel proud to be able to be an example for others.

This is really just a demo, I wrote it, picked some chords and sang it. I didn't do any fancy work, or put any extra effort into it. Just did what I felt in the moment.

Lyrics
I’m not my father,
Yeah, I’ll never be like him
Maybe someday,
But I can’t see it happenin’
No, he ain’t perfect,
Although to me he kinda is
He’s got that toughness
Every man wishes he did

And the only time I saw him cry
Was the day that his mother died
And that time I told him
That I didn’t want to live
He stared me in the face
Tears shining in his eyes

He said son I love you
And I won’t sit here and pretend
That this world ain’t full of pain
Constant shit that never ends
But you just keep going
Until nothing can stop you
Even if they wanted to
Son, that’s just what it takes
To be a man. Just be a man
Now I’m not saying
That you should just ignore
All your problems
Or shove em out the door
But you have to face em
Even if it’s hard
Build up that toughness
Something to fight for

And even if you have to cry
Maybe someone you love has died
Wishing you could hold em
Why couldn’t they just live
Stare yourself in the face
Tears shining in your eyes

Say, man I love you
Let’s not stand here and pretend
That this world ain’t full of pain
Constant shit that never ends
You just keep going
Until nothing can stop you
Even if they wanted to
Man, that’s just what it takes
To be a man. Just be a man

I’m not my father,
I may never be like him
But I’ve built that toughness
I’ll see this to the end
Cuz dad I love you
Just know you’ll always be my 
best friend.
Just be a man, just be a man, just be a man.

Just Be A Man (Demo)

In the bustling streets of Santo Domingo, traffic flowed like an unpredictable symphony—chaotic, yet somehow in rhythm. Coconut vendors balanced their carts on corners, while horns blared in an oddly harmonious disarray. My father, ever absorbed in his thoughts, navigated through this whirlwind with a calm detachment, as if the world around him were but a distant murmur. My sister's boyfriend, noticing the almost magical way my father avoided collisions, started humming the theme from Mr. Magoo, laughing as the car seemed to glide effortlessly through the chaos, narrowly missing vendors and buses alike. It was as if the city moved around him, not the other way around—an accidental choreography of calm amidst the storm.

"Divertimento a mi Padre: Brass Fantasia" is inspired by that memory of many years ago. This time, the piece has been reimagined in a vibrant brass ensemble version, crafted with the aid of AI technology. This new arrangement retains the neo-classical charm and whimsical character of the original woodwind piece. 
The brass instruments infuse a bold and lively energy, painting a musical caricature of my father's endearing naivety and perpetual optimism. As a devoted flutist in the National Symphonic Orchestra, my father's life was filled with humorous adventures and an almost fantastical perception of reality. This piece captures his joyful absent-mindedness and the carefree spirit with which he navigated the world, much like a character from a classic cartoon, stumbling through melodies with a serious yet unwittingly humorous demeanor.

Divertimento a mi Padre: Brass Fantasia

sometimes the most unexpected threads weave together to create a profound stort. 'Find A Way' is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the enduring bonds of family. This short documentary explores the transformative journey of a man who defied and found his purpose in the face of adversity.

Find A Way

"Rust Into Gold" is a heartfelt country song about restoring a classic car with my dad, the bond we built in the process, and the life lessons learned along the way. It’s more than just metal, paint, or chrome, it’s a story of love, sacrifice, and legacy. Inspired by the real journey of rebuilding a ‘69 Camaro, this song captures the memories, the long nights in the garage, and the deep connection that spans generations. Whether you're a car lover, a dreamer, or someone who cherishes family, this song is for you.

Rust Into Gold

A painful song sung by a son who wants his father to understand his choice to serve as a missionary overseas and his fear that his father will be ashamed or disappointed that he didn't follow in his father's footsteps vocationally.

The Path I Take

Don't Really Understand

Don’t Really Understand

„Vater – Die Dunkelheit bleibt ist ein kraftvoller Track, der die dunklen Erfahrungen einer missbrauchten Kindheit und den Schmerz einer toxischen Vater-Sohn-Beziehung thematisiert. Der Song verarbeitet tiefe, emotionale Wunden und das Gefühl der Befreiung, als der Vater nicht mehr da ist. Das düstere, aggressive Thema wird von einem melancholischen Trap-Beat und einer harten, schmerzhaften Botschaft begleitet. Ein Track über Schmerz, Hass, und das Überleben.“

„Vater – Die Dunkelheit bleibt“ (Harte Version)

The first time I held him, I knew love in a new way. This song is for my son — my sunshine, my first big love.

AI-generated, human-composed, home-produced.

First Big Love

When done well, music can take us deep into another’s soul, help us to express feelings we never revealed, and usher us into the very presence of the Great. Not all, but many of my songs express how I feel, not how I think. And while feelings are real, they don’t always represent the truth. It’s good and helpful to express what we feel, but we won’t grow in life until we are able to accept some things that are true in spite of our feelings. Some of my songs don’t fully arrive at those truths but are an expression of the fears and feelings I have wrestled with at some point in my life. They are intended to be art, not sermons, and you may relate in some way to some of the songs. And if you do and wonder how to handle a certain feeling or fear, reach out to me and we can seek truth together. ❤️🙏🏽🙌🏽

- Part Pianist, part composer, part poet, part IT technologies technician/programmer, 100% musician. -

Otoniel Rojas is a Dominican pianist and composer celebrated for his unique fusion of classical music with the rich rhythms of his homeland. Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he was immersed in a vibrant musical environment from an early age. His father, an accomplished musician, served as the principal flutist and later as the piccolo player in the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, instilling in him a profound appreciation for music.

At just seven years old, Rojas began his formal music education at the National Conservatory of Music, initially focusing on the violin. Simultaneously, he nurtured a passion for the piano, teaching himself to play and developing exceptional sight-reading abilities. His prodigious talent quickly became evident as he accompanied his father in numerous public performances, church services, and television appearances across his native country.

Determined to refine his pianistic skills, Rojas pursued formal piano instruction, excelling in performance, counterpoint, music theory, and solfège at the conservatory. Despite his musical successes, he briefly explored an engineering career at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD). However, his unwavering dedication to music led him to resume his artistic journey.

Seeking broader horizons, Otoniel relocated to the United States to study at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York—a hub for international students and a springboard to esteemed institutions like Juilliard. Under the mentorship of acclaimed pianist Agustin Anievas, a celebrated American classical pianist known for his recordings of Chopin and Rachmaninoff. Under Anievas' tutelage, Rojas flourished, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance, earning the distinction of Cum Laude. His exceptional musicianship was recognized when he won the conservatory's piano competition, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the college orchestra.

Deeply involved in the college's musical community, Rojas participated in chamber music ensembles, served as a piano accompanist, and sang in both the specialized chamber choir and the conservatory choir. He expanded his compositional skills under the guidance of Robert Starer, an Austrian-born American composer known for his contributions to contemporary classical music. His collaboration with the university's ballet program led to his composition "A Passing of Time" being incorporated into the ballet's repertoire, which was performed internationally by the university ballet in Prague.

To further diversify his expertise, Rojas studied conducting with Karoly Kope, chamber music with Stoddard Lincoln and Marion Feldman—a distinguished cellist and professor at New York University—and delved into music history under H. Wiley Hitchcock, a leading authority on American music.

Upon returning to the Dominican Republic, Rojas continued to compose and perform. He was commissioned by the Sinfónica del Cibao to create "Mozartina," an orchestral piece that masterfully intertwines traditional merengue rhythms with themes from Mozart's "Jupiter" Symphony. The work features the tambora, a traditional Dominican percussion instrument, symbolizing a fusion of his classical training and cultural roots. "Mozartina" premiered with the Sinfónica del Cibao and was later performed in a revised version by the National Symphony Orchestra in Santo Domingo under the baton of Caonex Peguero, a prominent Dominican violinist/conductor/composer.

Today, Rojas continues to share his music with audiences worldwide. Through platforms like SoundCloud and published sheet music, he brings a unique blend of classical and Dominican musical traditions to listeners and performers alike. His journey reflects a lifelong dedication to music and a commitment to bridging cultures through his art.

manu.j is an award-winning data scientist, novelist, and boundary-pushing music creator. After writing the psychological thriller The Artist, he set out to bring its world to life in sound — using generative AI and human storytelling to compose Scars in Red, a genre-spanning concept album.

His music fuses algorithmic tools with emotion-driven artistry, blending gritty hip hop, atmospheric EDM, and acoustic folk into a cinematic experience. Each track is part human, part machine — and all heart.

The musical side of reality yearns to be heard.

I work as a nurse in the state of Florida and I love being there for people in need. My other true passion is making music. I'm kind of an amateur but I look forward to getting better and making the best music I can.

Most the songs I do in about a day and then move on. I don't have the skill to make them radio quality yet, but I hope with collaborating with others and making my own music I will learn some skills along the way. I don't focus on perfection, I focus on emotion and try to put feeling into my music.

Also, I love to get lost in other peoples work, I will often play video games while listening to a bunch of someone else's works and commenting on the ones I like the most, not all though, don't wanna seem like a stalker, unless you like that of course.

Been feeling a little burnt out lately, so if I'm not responsive please don't take it personal. Having to work OT to keep the family afloat, so I haven't had time for music and when I do have any time I'm just too exhausted. I definitely want to make more it brings me a lot of joy to make music. At the same time it is very taxing, reaching into the depths can sometimes cause unwanted feelings to linger longer than they should. Anyway, I love all the support you have all sent my way. See ya around!

New tracks tagged #father-son