Adam Andrews creates solo piano music that focuses on bringing healing and inspiration to his listeners.He says his debut album, Road to Ambo, was inspired by my “my family’s journey to adopt our son from Ambo in Ethiopia; the love I have for my family; and my dreams for justice and relief for those who are suffering.”
Before making original solo piano instrumental music his priority, Andrews was a member of folk-pop group Cede which released four albums, actively toured North America (and away as Bulgaria), and performed regularly in front of audiences of 5,000-10-7,000 people.
More information on Adam Andrews is available at his website (adamandrewsmusic.com). His CD and digital download tracks from that recording are available at online sales sites such as CDbaby, Amazon, iTunes and many others.
“I think everyone has suffered at one time or another,” states Andrews, “which is why healing and inspiration are so important, and why I focus on making those feelings and goals a part of my music. Not only do we want to heal our physical and psychic wounds, but we all need to find better ways to live. We need inspiration to seek out healing, to find new paths, to create a better lifestyle and to find meaningful relationships. I hope my music will not only sooth and heal, but offer encouragement to the listener to make positive changes, to grow mentally and spiritually, and become stronger.”
The album titie, Road to Ambo, and the tune with the same name, reflect the ordealAndrews and his family went through to adopt Kellen, an orphan in Africa. “It was hard on us and on Keilen too,” says Andrews, “because our son was grieving one family before being with another, and as my family waited we had to endure lengthy approval processes, paperwork trails, and extensive travel before bringing our son home.”
According to Andrews, “Some of the music on this album was written during a dark time in my life, and the songs became a place of refuge and peace for me. The other half of the album was composed as my heart healed, my soul felt gladness and joy, and I found myself in a much more positive place.”
The tune “Unknown Hero” honors Andrews’ favorite kind of hero, “those who give selflessly without any hope of return or even acknowledgement. Their kindness can change other lives forever.” The slow and thoughtful “Hope and Joy” had its genesis when Andrews sat watching his daughters, nicknamed Miss Hope and Miss Joy, playing on the floor and laughing (“I felt a sense of peace in who they were becoming.”). “We Are Brothers” is reflective of Andrews’ love for a close family member struggling with mental illness.
You Were There” is a love song for Andrews’ wife, Rachel (“I had to let her know how much I appreciate her love and support all these years.”)- “Faces We See” promotes compassion for everyone “whether it is an orphan in Africa, a widow, the homeless guy on the street, a person crying in the market, anyone in need.” “Smoky Hill” is an analogy for depression blanketing our view of life “until the smoke clears and through perseverance we can see the beauty of the world again.” “Upside Down Church” is “a reflection on needs not being metby the church, but optimism that it can change and right itself.”
Andrews says, “The title for ‘New Normal’ came from my wife and I using that catch-phrase to describe our lives whenever we go through a harsh strain of bad luck and realize it’sgoing to take extra effort to pull through.” Andrews describes “The Well Within” as “that place inside your heart that you draw when you need courage and strength, which I needed to step out and make this album. The album closes with the light and buoyant tune -Breathe” with both hands playing counter-melodies. ” Breathing exercises are one of the keys to meditation, prayer and relaxation, and paying attention to my breath and learning to live in the moment are some of the tool that I have used over the years in coping with anxiety and depression.”