Island woman releases 18-track CD
GALVESTON — Carolyn Softly always knew God gave her a special gift.
Softly, who has been playing the piano for 66 years, has completed her first CD, “A Celebration: Celebrating God’s Gift of Music for 66 Years,” at the urging of friends, family and producer Kirk Hale, who have enjoyed her ability of “tickling the ivories” through the years.
Softly, who grew up in Galveston, began playing the piano by ear at 4. She, along with her brother and sister, used to always “play church.”
“When I was a little girl, my mother was a singer, and she would always sing at home,” Softly said. “We used to be inside all the time, so my brother Robert would be the preacher, my sister Jeannette would be the singer, and I would always end up being the musician.”
That play time soon changed for the better when her father, Leroy Hoskins, purchased an old upright piano in 1944.
Softly grew up listening to Florence Phelps, who was the organist at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and also was her first music teacher.
“I remember my mother heard me playing ‘What a Fellowship’ on the piano at home one day, and she, along with Phelps, encouraged me to develop my gift of hearing,” Softly said. “Phelps was my first influence of music and took me under her wings.”
While growing up, Softly started taking formal lessons from various teachers. One teacher in particular, Izola Collins, worked with Softly extensively and taught her the piece “Prelude in C Sharp Minor” when she was in the 10th grade at Central High School.
However, Collins realized Softly was playing music by ear, rather than reading the music. Softly said Collins and Inez Humphrey, who always would give her an opportunity to play, were some of her best cheerleaders.
“My love, appreciation and enjoyment of music developed to a higher level during my teen and young adult years,” Softly said. “I would listen to a song and play my interpretation.
“My favorite genre was religious music; however, I had so much respect and admiration for composers of classical music that I developed my version of numerous classics.”
Having lived in five states — Iowa, New Jersey, Maryland, Missouri and Texas — Softly has played for many churches, weddings, funerals, hotels and restaurants.
She is the pianist for Macedonia, where she has been a member all of her life — except for 15 years.
The Gift Song - News
Musically, Paisley frequently roamed off the path of twang to touch on surf music and blues, but Paisley's greatest gift may be his wit. His way with a turn of phrase allowed him to lace songs such as "Online" and "Celebrity" with trenchant satire and
Softly, who has been playing the piano for 66 years, has completed her first CD, “A Celebration: Celebrating God's Gift of Music for 66 Years,” at the urging of friends, family and producer Kirk Hale, who have enjoyed her ability of
According to band guitarist and vocalist Billy Gibbons, the song was a gift of sorts to American astronaut Michael Fossum, who was a passenger on the Soyuz and friend of the band. "Talk about a match made in the heavens," Gibbons said.
and enjoy a RCI gift card for a week of vacation anywhere in the world. All this because the 16-year-old Belleville artist blew the crowd and judges' minds with her "winning smile" and her interpretation of a Taylor Swift song at this year's
But late Saturday night, less than 24 hours before they were slated to headline the closing night of Lollapalooza, they packed their stadium-rocking show into the 1150-capacity club for a torrid, wall-sweating, nearly two-and-a-half hour gift to some
THE GIFT: MUSIC MANTRA Monday: Learning Lessons of Love from the ...
My kids have been exposed to many different kinds of music--both because I am a musician myself and also because I've had the pleasure of reviewing fantastic new music out there. Sometimes they show interest in the people I interview or the music I review but never all of them at once. But from the moment I popped Kim Burrell's new CD from it's plastic covering and her silky voice flowed from the speakers me and all four I was immediately reminded of Motown-style on my first listen. I would say it's Gospel music with a rich soul feel to it. There are ten songs on this album, each of them displaying Kim's huge range of talent. My personal favorite song on the album is "Open Up the Door". It took me back to sitting in the pews of our church, smushed between my grandparents, staring up at the gorgeous stained-glass window. I always felt such a warmth in my heart (thank you for that memory, Kim!). My daughter, Jordy, absolutely loved "Jesus Is A Love Song" (a Clark Sisters original). When I asked her why she said, "I love it because Jesus loves us and the way the singer sings this makes his name sound like a love song. She sings so nice." Jaimie really liked "Pray For Love" because, she says, "People don't love other people as much as they are supposed to. I love my Mama and I think everybody should have one person they love like that who loves them back. That's important." Sophie loved shaking her body to "Let's Make It To Love". She said it "made my body happy!" And the other songs are just incredible. . Written by her sister, Kathy, Kim describes the song in her own words as being "...about how being in a relationship with God causes each day to become better." SO true and so inspirational! She puts her own twist on the Earth, Wind & Fire song, "Love's Holiday"--I absolutely love her beautiful message introducing the song: "God speaks. Can you hear Him? Can He hear you? adore piano-accompanied pieces and "Is This The Way Love Goes" will give you goosebumps. It's one she composed and it really gives listeners an idea of the musical range Kim has. Finally, Kim did her own arrangement of El DeBarge's "Love Me In A Special Way", and it will raise the roof. I imagined listening to it in a church, swaying my arms in the air and saying, "HALLELUJAH!" I'm a mom to four bubs, a writer/author and a psychology major.
"Everyone who was blessed with the gift of song has something wrong with them. They can never just be normal." True?
Someone turned 40 today.This morning she received the gift of music, a birthday song from her friend. She is blessed-
@ I was just telling my friend abt yr GIFT 4 songwriting. Could U please tell me wht U wr trying 2 say when u wrote the song "Blow"?
My son is so right! This song is a healing gift to the Universe. 
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