"American Elder" (original song) -- Stephanie Strand

[knowhereman1]

I love the way you bend your voice on the word "happy". Your voice is so damn good!  I'd love to hear you harmonize with yourself.

[silentrepose]

Please visit my page on Facebook called, "The Forgotten Ones: Compassion for the Elderly". I have posted your video there. Please join us in supporting our forgotten elderly, and let me know if you are there. Thank you for this song!

[mjporemb]

iTunes please...

[lanzova]

how old are you! you sound great

[radzz1]

You're a great song writer and you have an amazing voice! Are you signed to a label? If you're not you should be!

[neoseeker019]

Im appalled that someone has not asked you to do this for a living. I usually do not listen to this kind of music as I am usually a metal kind of guy, but your voice is addicting, and your guitar work has just magical feel.

[tciii69]

Thans for being so caring,the world needs more of this

[Yankmykaz]

I'm a fan of this song ;D

[13dotyroba]

its kinda like mix of grunge 90's and 40's. love it XD

[Iddyboy]

I just want to say...

You have class, you have soul...

...and you have the chords, the changes! Your songs always go to that next chord in an original way.

There is nothing awkward in your music. Nothing forced. It's very musical music. If that sounds silly, well, it isn't. A lot of music isn't so at all.

Youtube did a great job by featuring your music today!

There are no insufferable vocal runs and

[stephstrand]

@Iddyboy

Such a thoughtful comment, thank you!

[elihppo]

A W E some...... Great vocals----

[shapurII]

Wow this was awesome! and I'm very particular about music.

[curtisls87]

I like this song very much. I'm 53, and over the last decade, I've seen my father fade fast, and have lost all of the generation before me. I'm still very vibrant, but to understand the human condition of aging, and to put voice to it so eloquently is a gift. You and I are blessed - you for composing, and I for listening.

[stephstrand]

@curtisls87

Thank you for sharing; this is an incredibly difficult and sensitive subject.

[thedangling]

hey!what the?!!....coincidence?.....hah­a we had the same idea not showing our head....your production value is better......

[caputnick67]

These lyrics build a real picture in my mind.

I can see it all happening. Growing old , frail and lonely. Great song to make a video with.

[wolffenhaus]

meditation and I hesitate to say this but probably pot could help older Americans.

[andyfedel]

very nice. more people should visit the nursing homes.

[ageofguitarz]

That is an awsome tune, bluesy and rockin,

[ReliableInsider]

Wow!

Wow!

That changes my mood for the better.

[TormentedByDemons]

This is well beyond badass.

[katesmeow]

Love this song. Dunno if it's a compliment to be compared to other artists, but this one of yours just reminds me so much of Sheryl Crow. :P

[illovemypillow]

gah steph i get this song stuck in my head every other day...

[stephstrand]

I apologize - I know how annoying that is! - but I do take this as a great compliment :D

[smartbluecat]

Every time I watch this I want to grab my guitar and write something. Why aren't you selling millions of albums?! You are fantastic and an inspiration.

:o).

[stephstrand]

I hope you DO grab your guitar and write something! It is quite an honor to be even the slightest bit inspiring. Thank you, very much :D

[PestVic]

@smartbluecat i feel the same way

[hazymaidens]

amazing; love your work!

[DAVIDDAMIENR]

You have a GREAT Voice !!!

DDR

[LianneHutcheson]

Thank you for taking the time to comment back! Music is a powerful medium for awareness and change, in a sense, your voice has now become my father's, like my own.

THANK YOU AGAIN for such a powerful perspective of this horrific disease.

It has devastated my heart.

[LianneHutcheson]

Thanks for this song.

My Dad is in a nursing home, he is 55.

Dementia.

Hit him hard at 53.

This is our generation's cancer.

It is striking down younger and younger generations, thank you for sharing awareness Steph, you rock!

[stephstrand]

I am so sorry to hear this. What a difficult reality it must be. But thank you for listening and sharing your thoughts; ... 55 is so very young ...

[jingmo]

Stephanie, I love this song!!

[stephstrand]

Thank you, I'm glad :)

[freeoriginalsongs]

Sweet :)

[lostsoulparty]

very very good :)

[shas1814]

Wow.

Well played, well sung, 5 stars for the performance.

And then there's the song...

Powerful, sweet, gritty, and IMPORTANT!

Well done, Stephanie!

And a subscription-

I want to watch your progress!!

[texelektronik]

Thank you my friend!!Great song!!!

[momto3talents]

I cannot watch this video without crying. It is simply a supberb video. I hope this gets around to some nursing homes somehow so the workers can see it.

 To those who do not know, Stephanie is a most wonderful person first and also a very talented person. I admire her and she is my daughter. Keep up the good work Steph.... You amaze me. All my kids amaze me..... I am so lucky to be their mother. Love you......

[mega976]

You really do have it all dont you.. creativity.., talent..., awesome guitar skills.., and a very original look and voice to go with it. I hope you make it far in this world so the rest can see what they've been missing!

[NUTTYPISTACHIO]

Lovely!

[jingmo]

Wow... Stephanie, you rock, lady! Love your music.

[colinjstyles]

5***** cheerz 4 sharing mega

[willienelsonpri]

Stephanie, thanks for turning your experience into a song. Beautiful music and vocals. I'm sure you bring these folks much joy by visiting. Elders should be honored in my opinion and I think you do in this song. Thanks for sharing and raising awareness. Will you do your own version of Willie Nelson's song A Peaceful Solution in your own style? Love to feature you on Willie's Peace site. Willie gives full freedom with style and lyric changes and additions. Liz

[stephstrand]

Hello there - thanks so much for this. In fact my thanks must extend to all who have posted here; thanks for your time and kind words, everyone.

I'm sorry to say that I'm not knowledgeable of this song from Willie Nelson. But thank you for the offer; I will have to consider it.

[willienelsonpri]

Thank you, Stephanie. I'll send you the links. Thank you so much for considering. We have many versions on our A Peaceful Solution playlist on our YouTube channel and you can go to willienelsonpridot com On the left is a button for music. Liz

[XXBiBiX]

Great! :)

[Mabel81]

very good =)

[buniluvr]

Bravo for being so brave - this is a difficult subject to tackle and your words are so touching. Thanks to my friend AMCANN7 for finding you!

cheers

[droxsings]

Well done! Nursing homes are possibly the saddest places I have ever visited !!

[heleneaustin]

great song...very poignant...Like the vid too!

[blahblahblah4evr]

Amazing song! Love it! Keep up with these beautiful songs!

[1Axeman1]

To: stephstrand,

Nice. Keep up the good works.

[Trebuh51]

Yes. The elderly are the most overlooked and misunderstood by society; thus, often simply ignored. As a caregiver, I have witnessed what so many take for granted. Your music is great. Just wish more would take heed in what the words mean. Thanks...

[whitereds]

that good,merits 5 stars!!!It continues thus!!

[Klayre]

It made my heart ache... thanks for sharing it with us..

Please keep up the great work..

[patricegoyaud]

Very good music.

Patrice

[leeortz1]

Awsome, that was great, nice job. Nice lyrics.

[cvillemag]

Great song, great job, great voice. Thank you for feeling!

[mehigh2marsiansky]

yes, 5* great song:melody and voice! reminded me of johnny cash!

[cerz1982]

gooooood

[debswildhoney]

Wow, Outstanding! I was close with my grandparents as friends, your song/storytelling helps us understand and have compassion for their/our plight. Awesome vocals, lyrics and guitar.

[PMiguel6]

Excellent work and a great voice

EXCELLENT

Six stars

[Damiya]

It's a painful and not often thought about topic. Older people are effectively imprisoned by life.

[Damiya]

I'd better quickly qualify that by saying people who are older and ill. But it doesn't have to be like that, if we incorporate them into our lives, for example days out, if possible, it can make their life a lot more bearable.

[planetjordan]

Nice video, nice song

[milisemou]

Nice song, love your voice and music. Excellent lyrics. Nice message you are sending out, I agree.

Thank you so much for letting us listen to your beautiful voice. 5*****+

Thanks skeepbop for sharing!!

[LillyBunnyBoo]

Jesus. This is AMAZING. Lyrically, musically, your voice -- just incredible. Girl, you have a fan in me. This is what youtube SHOULD be about: original, superior TALENT. You've got it, hon, in SPADES.

I'm subscribing. You are a star. :-)

Thanks, skeepbop, for the send. :-)

[LillyBunnyBoo]

P.S. Steph - the video itself (visual) is EXCELLENT. My style.  :-)

[rockabillyotis]

Good writing - I like the chords and the melody works. Overall I'd say a 5 star tune. A bit George Harrisonish.

[fendermac]

I have this nightmare that on my deathbed a doctor slips me an "extra 20 years" pill before I can say no.If it comes to it I might say "yes".Mmmm.Great job.*****

[hippopotassium]

Great song. I'm an EMT and a lot of our calls go to nursing homes, and they can be very depressing. It's too bad when you see how sad a patient is, but you only get a short time to get to know them and to do your best for them.

[steelbath]

You remind me of the Stone Temple Pilots. It's great.

[MandyMayzy]

Need ur face chick, So jealous,you jam it mad.

[MartySchrader]

I love the harmonic ringing on that last chord. Very nice way to use distortion.

[badbearwatch]

Hey thanks for sending me this, you couldn't have known but I work to keep people at home and not in the nursing homes, for a senior home care program-my coworkers will have to see this, I cried a little myself. I try to help people with exactly this but this is a good way to get the attention of people to stop and think about the older folks you see around you and help them if you can to stay home as long as possible-and to be sure they are not lonely.Thanks again. BBW

[lewisrockstar]

Cool! Nice acoustic sound and great voice.

[cmsingerbill]

wonderful! thanks skeepbop for share cool song and singer

[strawbfan]

nice

[denisfavs]

Great!

nursing homes are depressing. I'll never let my parents live there.

[mega976]

You really do got it all don't you?  5 *****

[amccann7]

I LOVE this song! it's brilliant.

[themaskedanalyst]

You've been on here since March 2006--you're a phenomenal singer/songwriter, and you only have around 150 subs??? This is ridiculous. I just found your site after it was mentioned on utubewhining. Keep this up-- your ability to tell stories through song ranks up there with Harry Chapin (A bit before your time, but one of the damn best story tellers/songwriters in my book). There is no reason why you shouldn't be as popular on Youtube as ysabellabrave.

[FenderStratMexico]

that was A-W-E-S-O-M-E

[stonebuystone]

You're well cool, love the song, you've got a great sound

[TuneInTurnOnDropOut]

Great tune and lyrics. What is the meaning behind not showing your face in this video?

[ulianovis]

cool

[pinknblues1]

Really great song this is!!- lovely voice- whole package is awesome

[HmongGuitarPlayer]

awsome!!!!!!!!love the playing

[loboenvivo]

I Like It !!!

[kingsofnonecanada]

great tune!!!

[kingkris1645]

wow she's got a great voice and awesome guitar playing pretty kewl

[antcomic]

Vundebar! - ANT

[amccann7]

you are amazing! i love your voice and your rythnis style; your chord phrasing! Wow! Instant sub! *Amy

[amccann7]

I spelt rythmic wrong, sorry, typing too fast!

[ralmundi]

i like, i like alot!!

[littabaff]

That was great

[rosaviragh]

Wonderful 5*

[Pontiac169]

Absolutely fab! Thanks Skeepbop for sharing.

[Pippilly]

Great song! Well done

[Chopin1986]

what a voice!!! Great song!!

[madcowgirl4h]

That's a wonderful song, a common subject for songs but a unique take on it.

[taylorluskin]

very nice!

[tanDlegen]

Nice! :-)

[amazongift]

Great song with a wonderful social comment, 5****..Mel

[fendermac]

Skeepbop sent me this.So glad he did.Great job.*****

[ionsgirl]

Me too! i like this!

[pearljamgirl08]

yeah me too! really nice

[BecciBarham1993]

great song and i love your vocal style xxxx

[delboy1978uk]

that is awesome! what a voice! and nice blues very cool :-)

[Carlinhos271980]

wonderful song

nice

thanks for sharing

5*****

Carlinhos

[ErhanLiveMetal]

Excellent song...

[jdandd]

that would be a pretty good metal song.

You need to tab it!

[indyjones328]

how do you know she's singing??? shes horrible!

[nodawg1993]

great song and great lyrics and gerat voice

keep it up

[chrisgilroy19]

brilliant song and superb vocal really cool style

[playgroundschannel]

Fantastic song AND voice!

[ampressions]

omg!!!!!!! you are great

[anastasia79]

Wonderful :O)

[twinky1012]

loved the song , and your voice is is beautiful great JOB!

[onemanpiano]

It's a very unique sound. I love it. Kepp singing! :-D

[ameremusician]

This is a really great sounding song from your lovely voice to the depth of the guitar work. Thank you for sharing it with me I really enjoyed it Stephanie!

[gem315]

really great!!

[d65fitzer]

I gave her five stars....  Love the way her music feels!

She's the modern take on Madeline Kahn, when she sang 'I'm soooo tired', in Blazing Saddles!

[marcialeer]

very nice

[tucantante]

Depressing but amazing. 5 well deserved stars. :-)

[Supremelord]

cool song and awesome voice! 5 *****

[Supremelord]

and thx to skeepbop for sharing

[JackAwful]

I worked nursing homes for years back when, great preparation for the inevitable. The need for love is not limited by age.

[RonanG]

Great song! Great lyrics! Really well performed! 5 Stars and a Sub.

Ronan

[chitarra]

Good song!!!!

[ginmillsinger]

5+ Star Performance!!!  :c)

Great share, skeepbop!

5+Star Performance!

GinMillBill

[evon58]

lovely tune but oh so true for many getting old can be sad xx

[EmilSoderberG666]

Nice song : )

[billyboyrocka]

cool song nice giutarin too

awesome

[carlguage]

Ive Been to These Places..Its Very Sad especially Those abanded There!!!..Great Vid and Song!!!

[crazyhippiegirl]

Great job 5 :)

[noypok]

very nice music..thanks skeepbop for this awespme clip..v*

jerome

[CharmingHome]

Bravissima!

[nisrinebensellam]

good song 5*****

[Jazzguts]

I read your introduction and certainly the song and specially lyrics get another meaning,it's true how life slips away for elderly people and their social contacts and world get very narrow,very Sad.working in such a situation must be hard,I can Imagine. This was a great motive for this nice tune,and any honest motive for making good Music is a good one.

[PMiguel6]

EXCELENTE musica, ta linda

Tens uma maaneira de tocar e cantar muito Boa

continua assim.

EXCELENTE * * * * *

[jipes]

Great song and I really like the way you sing you have a particular and very interesting voice !

[Orion864864]

Great Stephanie

[Gromeul]

Nice song, great voice, congratulations!

[DrewAnti1960]

cool song,very nice

[Orbain]

As everyone else has said.... fantastic.

and thanks to skeebob for the share. good goin.

[harmusic]

great song! very good*****

greetz harmusic

[sherrywine1941]

Very very good.  Yes so sad what happens when we reach that age.(5*) Sherry

Thanks skeebob for the share.

[emifolk]

great song and that nylonstring guitar sounds fantastic your voice too

thanks skeebob for sharing

all the stars

[smartbluecat]

Great work on all levels! Love the snap zoom, your pinky action,:o),the song was a very solid piece and your voice is soulful - sounded like you actually felt what you were singing which is nice to hear.

I loved it!

[bagwhanbill]

cool 5*****cheers

[InsatiableBlonde]

thanks, skeebop for the share, "Hott Guitarist that Rock playlist...and a 5 !

That was unique...I must say!

Morgan

[MelodxKay]

Wonderful video!

[biokemiker]

NIce playing and good voice!

[ChaosAngel101]

You sound ALOT like Danni Leigh doing this one.. anyway Great song.. and really beautiful job

[mindfulmusic78]

WoW,r u a lefty?

[passionpicking]

I defenetly love your voice! Great!!!!!!

Very nice tune with guitar!

Thousands of stars for you sweet heart!

Chris

[hueseph]

Cool song. It got a bit repetitive for me though. Sorry. Just being honest. A blues harp or a slide player would have broken it up nicely. The song is good though just need a very little bit of something else.

[lisadvet]

great song and voice!

[QueenOfWannabe87]

Beautiful!

[elczanka]

Brawo!!!

[cabbitness1983]

this is an awesome song!

[Iminto60sstuff]

very nice i like the drop down to d

[mungchungy73]

haha you have a nice voice~ and i liked the video editing lol xP

[mysticfm]

I like your voice a lot ... it is very individual. Poignant lyrics. I love it when a songwriter is brave enough to just paint a picture with the music and lyrics (especially a sad one like this) and let the listener work out the rest for themselves, rather than trying to advocate specific solutions in the lyrics. The video editing in this is quite inspired, too. You seem to have a wealth of really good ideas!

[MissFunkentelect]

That was deep!

[JPaulDiLucci]

you are quite talented

-jPaul

[nllleonard]

Thanks for sharing this skeepbop! Very good song! Glad I heard this one!

[motorpsych0]

You are awesome! I love your voice, and I dig the D tuning here!

Great song! 5*****'s

Nice.

[JoSieLove2Sing4u]

*Love This*  *Oh Yeah* Great Song!

[Nnythingoez]

excellent song...love the amazing voice n guitar playing...

[HOLLATYME]

i luv it*******

[dredlockMiki]

Nicely done!! Pretty voice and killer guitar work..Your awesome Stephanie Strand

peace

~Miki

p.s. thanks for the share skeepbop

[grandmafottz]

THANK-YOU SWEETY!!! BEAUTIFUL SONG!!! LOVE, grandmafottz.