Allow me for a moment to share with you a story that has inspired me, our band, hundreds of our friends, co-workers, and countless others. Our friend Julie K. Shaw who, with every word has encouraged us to “cherish every day”, has been fighting tooth and nail with stage IV colon and liver cancer for 18+ months. Most of the DejaBlue Grass Band and many of Julie’s friends were living it up on the tarps of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival with not a care in the world in June 2010, when we were rocked by the devastating news of Julie’s diagnosis.
Several times hence have I and my friends visited with Julie, and each time, when asked how she’s doing, she has never responded with anything less than “I’m doing fine”, far more concerned with the needs of those asking the question than for herself.
One day in late 2010, while Susan and I were talking about Julie, Tim, and their family, this song came to me, nearly whole cloth. I had every intention of recording it in earnest and giving it to her and Tim as my gift. I had grandiose ideas of how it might sound with cello, perhaps pedal steel guitar, and accompanied by sweet harmony to make it a song worthy of the inspiration Julie has infused us with. But alas, we never got further than it’s current form: a one-take raw recording of me, my guitar, and a microphone with no effects, harmony, accompaniment, or vocal altering. I recorded it at Cody Marshall Studios, just a scratch recording intended to get levels right, and for the producer to begin thinking about what accompaniment might be right for the song. However, we found out this weekend that she is now in the care of hospice. Perhaps the song is more fitting this way, anyhow…callow and rough with all it’s imperfections, yet a sweet sentiment…such is life. And if Julie has taught us anything, it’s to be yourself, love one another, and always let your light shine no matter how it comes out.
Julie, I hope you get a chance to hear this. The song is called “I’m Doing Fine (Julie’s Song)” and I hope you and Tim receive it with the spirit from which it was written: in veneration of your grace and courage through this fight, of your ability to stand strong no matter what you are beset with, and to show love and deference to others when our hearts are breaking. God bless you, Julie. We love you.
Click here for “I’m Doing Fine (Julie’s Song)“
Edit (1/12/12): Julie passed in the middle of the night last night. I have been so moved by the thousands of people who visited this site in the past couple of days, heard her song, and those who have taken time to share their own story of what it means to them. Anyone of the thousands of her friends could have written this song, because she moved us all in a similar way. I was just lucky and blessed to be the one He chose to pull it out of the universe and pen it. I mean that sincerely.
Many of you have called or sent me an email requesting to own a copy of the song. We are working on a way to finalize it and make it available for her friends in a way that will benefit Julie’s family and all those who she has inspired. Details to follow.
