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Dave Desmelik with an Army of Love

by Dave Desmelik

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1.
Celebrate 03:29
Amanda Anne Platt *vocal (honeycutters.com) written by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelik.com) Dave Desmelik - acoustic guitar, bass guitar, piano, banjo, drums, backing vocal CELEBRATE Sitting in a room of the clinic we go to. Watch my child lie down and receive the treatment that he needs. To stop the malignant cells from dividing in to pairs and then more pairs from those. Nobody knows the cause. Have faith with fear. Have strength with your tears. Have anything you want. The good Lord knows you deserve it. Like the wing to the bird. Like the page to the word. Like the old to the new. We are connected through and through. Let's celebrate your bravery, let's celebrate good company. Let's celebrate everything, let's celebrate the joy you bring. Standing by your side shortly after your MRI. We ask you how you feel. You said it's no big deal. But it is and you don't know how we hang on the results. To tell us what comes next. This journey never ends. Have peace with pain. Have sunlight with the rain. Have anything you want. The good Lord knows you deserve it. Like the flower to the dirt. Like the healing to the hurt. Like the black to the blue. We are connected through and through. CHORUS
2.
Mike Ashworth *vocal/guitar & Mike Guggino *vocal/mandolin (steepcanyon.com) written by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelik.com) Dave Desmelik - electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, harmonica YOUTHFUL DAYS Where you sit depends where you stand. Where you jump depends where you land. How you fall is how you fly. You still smile and we still cry. You get to feel the confusion felt. You have to play the hand you're dealt. So draw a picture and color it in. A Starry Night, a Ride for Kids. It ain't right and it ain't fair. When cancer comes it sure don't care. Who you are or what's your age. Or how you live your youthful days. The denial and the disbelief. The anger and the lonely grief. The night will fall but the sun will rise. Illuminating the morning sky. But you don't think of yesterday. And tomorrow is still worlds away. The here and now is all you know. The innocence, the love and hope. CHORUS
3.
Andrew Scotchie *vocal/electric guitar (andrewscotchiemusic.com) music by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelik.com) Derrick Gardner - keys Dave Desmelik - acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums fact sources: Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (curethekids.org) John Hopkins Medicine (hopkinsmedicine.org) Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (cbtrus.org) PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FACTS -In the United States, more than 28,000 children are living with the diagnosis of a brain tumor. -In the United States, about 4,600 children are diagnosed with a brain tumor each year... that's 13 new cases per day. -72% of young people diagnosed with a brain tumor are younger than age 15. -More children pass of brain tumors than any other form of pediatric cancer. -There is no identifiable cause for most childhood brain tumors. -Brain tumors are the most common tumors in children. -Nonmalignant or benign brain tumors can be devastating if their location in the brain prevents surgical removal or other curative treatments. -Pediatric brain tumor survivors often suffer from lifelong side effects caused by their illness as well as by treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. -Current treatments are toxic, cause permanent cognitive and physical impairments and severely diminish a child's quality of life. -First line chemotherapy for the most common form of pediatric brain cancer has remained unchanged for over 30 years. -The Cerebellum is the lower, back part of the brain and controls balance, coordination, and fine muscle control. -The Cerebrum is the large, outer part of the brain and controls thought, learning, speech, emotions, planned muscle movements, and the senses. -The Brainstem is the bottom part of the brain and connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord and controls many basic body functions and movement. -The Spinal Cord is a long, tube-like bundle of nerves that starts in the brain and goes down the length of the spine, and carries messages to and from the brain. -Brain and Spinal Cord tumors are graded I thru IV. -Grade I and II, or low grade tumors tend to grow slowly. -Grade III and IV, or high grade tumors grow fast and spread into normal brain tissue. -The most common types of brain and spinal cord tumors in children are gliomas and medulloblastomas. -There are numerous different types of pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors... such as... astrocytomas, diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, gliomatosis cerebri, gangliogliomas, oligodendrogliomas, optic nerve gliomas, thalamic and hypothalamic astrocytomas, tectal gliomas, gliosarcomas, atypical teratiod rhabdiod tumors, medulloblastomas, neurocytomas, pineoblastomas, ependymomas, meningiomas, neurofibromas, choroid plexus tumors, and the list goes on... and on... -The brain contains about 85 billion neurons and 100,000 miles of blood vessels, enough to go from New York to Australia 10 times, making brain surgery very complex. -Children with brain tumors require multi-disciplinary care by many different providers including neuro-oncologists, neuro-surgeons, radiation-oncologists, expert nurses and family support services. -Research that focuses specifically on pediatric brain tumors is crucial to saving children's lives and improving survivor's quality of life. -Pediatric brain cancer research is historically neglected. -In the United States, the taxpayer funded National Cancer Institute provides only 4% of it's annual budget to childhood cancer.
4.
This Disease 05:38
Jay Brown *vocal & Aditi Sethi Brown *vocal/harmonium (jaybrownmusic.com) written by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelik.com) Dave Desmelik - acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, piano, drums THIS DISEASE I want to get out of bed. I want to go to school. I want to run with my friends. I want to swim in the pool. I want to go to the dance. I want to play in the game. I want to discover romance. I want to change my name. And be somebody else for a day. Somebody... somebody without cancer. I want to sled in the snow. I want to lie in the sun. I want to sail on a boat. I want to do nothing but run. I want to walk in the rain. I want to weather the storm. I want to forget the pain. I want to change my form. And be something else just for a day. Something... something without cancer. I want to ride a bike. I want to hit a ball. I want to be liked, but don't we all? I want to tie my own shoes. I want to dress myself. I want to be able to choose, the state of my health. And be someone else even for a day. Someone... someone without cancer. I want to do so many things. I can't even explain. I sometimes feel a little different. I just want to be the same. The same as most others, most other normal kids. Who don't have this disease. This disease... that I don't understand.
5.
Healer 03:26
Alexa Rose *vocal (alexarosemusic.com) written by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelik.com) Josh Gibbs - lap steel guitar Dave Desmelik - acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, hammond m3, mandolin, drums and percussion HEALER You have knowledge. You got feelings. You got strength cause you're a healer. You have courage up through the ceiling. And nerves of steel cause you're a healer. You count on research. You count on kneeling. You trust them both cause you're a healer. You are insightful. A real truth seeker. You are composed cause you're a healer. You're a speaker of the spirit. I hope that's why you're in it. And your reasons are the right ones. And your compassion, it knows no limits. You are holistic. A true believer. In whatever works cause you're a healer. You are gentle. You help people. In their darkest hour cause you're a healer. You are selfless. A caring leader. You are humble. You're a healer. You're a doctor. You're a teacher. You're a nurse. You're a healer. CHORUS
6.
Make A Wish 03:12
Jimmy Davidson *vocal & Rob Brown *electric guitar (soninlaws.com) written by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelik.com) Derrick Gardner - hammond m3 Dave Desmelik - acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, drums MAKE A WISH Breathe in... Tough kid... Dream big... Go on and make a wish. Pick what... You want... Mind your heart... Go on and make a wish. Wake up... Young one... It's your day... Whatever you want to do. Go on and make a wish.
7.
Mothers 03:41
Melissa Hyman *vocal & Ryan Furstenberg *vocal (themoonandyou.com) written by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelik.com) Josh Gibbs - dobro Dave Desmelik - acoustic guitar, bass guitar, banjo, piano, harmonica, drums MOTHERS Mothers look out for their kids. They always do, they always did. Covering her baby with love. She is so kind, but she can be tough. Tough as she has to be. Like hammer and nails, steel and concrete. The proof could not be more clear. A mother pulls hope out from the fear. She is love... Mother is another word for love. Mothers stand by their child with head full of thoughts and heart full of pride. Under the shade of her wing. She's there to protect while letting them sing. Thunder and pounding rainstorms. Wrapped in her arms her young one stays warm. Mothers are unparalleled. They give everything for their child to be well. She is love... Mother is another word for love. Mothers look out for their kids. They always do, they always did.
8.
Chemo 06:09
Aaron Woody Wood *vocal/slide guitar (aaronwoodywood.com) written by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelik.com) Andy Gibbon - bass guitar Dave Desmelik - acoustic guitar, piano, hammond m3, drums, backing vocal CHEMO Chemo is cruel and surreal. It breaks bodies and hearts everyday. Numbs you and warns you to feel. There's got to be a better way. The needle pierces the skin. The potion drips in the port. Nausea comes quick spilling your guts on the floor. The use of chemicals in the treatment of disease. I want to take it away from you, let me please. Poison runs through the blood. Littering destruction inside. Now nothing about this is good and you cannot hide. Repeated weary fatigue. The bruises spread out like a map. Can't pull yourself out of bed. No child should go through that. I don't fault you for what you are. And science can use you as a crutch. But medicine you are not and I hate you so much. The use of chemicals in the treatment of disease. I want to take you away from here, let me please.
9.
Laura Blackley *vocal (laurablackley.com) written by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelik.com) Andy Gibbon - bass guitar Derrick Gardner - hammond m3 Josh Gibbs - lap steel guitar Dave Desmelik - acoustic guitar, drums, backing vocal RING THAT BELL You're gonna ring that bell when you are done. You're gonna ring that bell when you are done. It might seem like forever, but soon your day will come. You're gonna ring that bell cause it's a big deal. You're gonna ring that bell cause it's a big deal. There ain't nobody stronger than you and that's for real. It's not everyday the bell gets rung. It's not everyday this song gets sung. It's a sound to rejoice the sweetest ring. And for some when it comes it means everything. You're gonna ring that bell. You're gonna ring it loud. You're gonna ring that bell. You're gonna ring it loud. You're gonna ring it so hard you're sure to draw a crowd. You're gonna ring that bell. You're gonna step right up. You're gonna ring that bell. You're gonna rise above. You're gonna ring it with fury intensified by love. It's not everyday the bell gets rung. It's not everyday this song gets sung. It's a sound to rejoice the sweetest ring. And for some when it comes and it's rung and you're done it means everything.
10.
Angel Flight 02:50
Jane Kramer *vocal (janekramermusic.com) written by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelik.com) Dave Desmelik - acoustic guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, drums, backing vocal ANGEL FLIGHT Up, up, up and away we go. Now we've taken off, off of the ground. And we're rising up through the clouds. They look like big white clumps of cotton balls. I can't explain. The words escape me now. I'm looking down. It's so far down. I'm closer to God when I'm up here. You let me sleep. You let me steer. We're climbing now to higher heights. Take me there Angel Flight. You fly me to a different town. Another hospital where the doctors say. They'll take care of me the best they can. You're landing this plane now. The wheels touch the ground. We taxi down the runway to the terminal. You smile at me. The sky is overcast and dark beneath the heavy air. As we break on through the clouds, the darkness turns to light. And it's alright, it's all ok. CHORUS
11.
Time 03:57
Shannon Whitworth *vocal (shannonwhitworth.net) written by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelik.com) Dave Desmelik - concert ukulele, electric guitar, bass guitar, piano, hammond m3, drums TIME Do you ride the waves of time? Do you hide in the sands of time? Will you arrive in the nick of time? Did you ever make the time? It's ours to share. It's everywhere. It's yours and mine. It's always been. It never ends. Seek and find. Time.

about

About Dave Desmelik with an Army of Love…
‘Army of Love’ (Childhood Battles) is an album of 11 songs written and recorded by Dave Desmelik. The songs are sung by an all-star cast of Western NC musicians including Amanda Anne Platt (Honeycutters), Mike Ashworth and Mike Guggino (Steep Canyon Rangers), Andrew Scotchie, Jay Brown and Aditi Sethi-Brown, Alexa Rose, Jimmy Davidson and Rob Brown (The Worthless Son-in-Laws), Melissa Hyman and Ryan Furstenberg (The Moon and You), Aaron Woody Wood, Laura Blackley, Jane Kramer, and Shannon Whitworth. Additional musicians are Andy Gibbon, Josh Gibbs, and Derrick Gardner.

Dave Desmelik is a journeyman songwriter and musician. His wife is Clare and their two sons are Holmes and Vincent. Dave and Clare’s oldest son, Holmes has an inoperable brain tumor. He was diagnosed in June of 2014 at age five. These songs were written during the summer of 2017 after watching their child go through intensive chemotherapy, surgeries, countless doctor appointments, and too much time for any kid to spend in hospitals. Along the way, Clare and Dave realized that although there is no cure for brain cancer, there is hope. Hope is powerful. This collection of songs revolves around pediatric illness and covers a wide range of emotions from anger and confusion to love and compassion.

Dave knew right away that although he wrote these songs, he was not the one to sing them. He wanted to involve more people, so he turned to some of his fellow musicians and friends in the Western North Carolina region for this project. Unbeknownst to them, the Desmeliks started calling them 'Army of Love'. The truth is that the 'Army of Love' includes anyone who supports and cares for kids dealing with life-threatening battles.

The goal with this album is to raise awareness of pediatric illness. Any and all funds raised by this project will be donated to charities that have helped so many families on this journey. These are the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (in which funds will be delineated to brain tumor research), Make-A-Wish Central & Western NC, and Angel Flight Soars.

Music unifies. We are all connected. Love heals.

Some things you may not know…
- More than 28,000 children in the United States are living with the diagnosis of a brain tumor, and close to 13 more cases are identified each day.
- In the United States, the tax payer funded National Cancer Institute provides only 4% of its annual budget to childhood cancer.
- Make A Wish grants a wish, on average, every 35 minutes to a child with a life-threatening medical condition.
- A combined 89% of doctors, nurses, and health professionals surveyed say they believe a wish experience can influence wish kids’ physical health.
- In 2017, total missions coordinated by Angel Flight were 3,431. That is 9 missions a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (curethekids.org) – The PBTF is the world's leading nonprofit dedicated to children and teens with brain tumors. Headquartered in Asheville, NC, with chapters and programs available across the country, the PBTF’s mission is to care for families along their journey, cure all childhood brain tumors, and help survivors and families thrive.

Make-A-Wish Central & Western NC (nc.wish.org) – Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The wish experience can be a game changer for a child; it’s more than a nice thing, it’s necessary! This one belief guides Make-A-Wish in everything they do.

Angel Flight Soars (angelflightsoars.org) - Angel Flight Soars is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the coordination of free air transportation for patients in need of distant, specialized medical treatment. Angel Flight utilizes the contribution from their incredible volunteer pilots - who selflessly donate their time, aircraft and fuel to fly patients to the medical care they require and deserve. The core vision behind Angel Flight is that the obstacle of transportation should never stand in the way of people receiving the proper medical care.

credits

released December 10, 2018

Music unifies. We are all connected. Love heals.

Track List:
1. Celebrate (3:29) – Amanda Anne Platt
2. Youthful Days (3:27) – Mike Ashworth and Mike Guggino
3. Pediatric Brain Tumor Facts (5:46) – Andrew Scotchie
4. This Disease (5:38) – Jay Brown and Aditi Seth-Brown
5. Healer (3:26) – Alexa Rose
6. Make A Wish (3:12) – Jimmy Davidson and Rob Brown
7. Mothers (3:41) – Melissa Hyman and Ryan Furstenberg
8. Chemo (6:09) – Aaron Woody Wood
9. Ring That Bell (3:44) – Laura Blackley
10. Angel Flight (2:50) – Jane Kramer
11. Time (3:57) – Shannon Whitworth

All songs © 2018 Dave Desmelik (BMI)
*except song 3 music by Dave Desmelik
Fact sources:
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (curethekids.org)
John Hopkins Medicine (hopkinsmedicine.org)
Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (cbtrus.org)

*recorded and mixed at JWH Sound Room in Penrose, NC
by Dave Desmelik (davedesmelikmusic.com)
*mastered at Soundsmiths Mastering in Asheville, NC (soundsmiths.com) by Stephen Smith
*cover art by Drew Findley (subjectmatterstudio.com)

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Dave Desmelik Brevard, North Carolina

Lyrical and Instrumental Songster

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