Mattie J.T. Stepanek had Muscular Dystrophy. He started writing "messages" that he received in his heart from God at the age of 4! This little boy is such an inspiration to me and, I'm sure, quite a number of other people. He showed so much courage and he did what God sent him here to do, spread his word to everyone. Billy Gilman helped Mattie spread the messages by making some into songs, and I have loved this song (I Am/Shades of Life) since I heard it when it first came out. It's amazing!!!!
No matter what musical phase I'm going through, it's impossible not to stay a Billy Gilman fan. (for obvious reasons :]) I'm pretty sure I just fell in love with his eyes. Also, I love Mattie.
At least his music gives meaning and deep feelings to many people who listen instead of the many current artists who just sing about "I love you" or "You love me" or some shit about how they can't love anymore... it's all BULL SHIT!
Ok i have this full cd...this is probably the best song off of it. Matty J.T. Stepanik R.I.P. and god is taking good care of you i am sure and billy congrats on all of your successes with these poems and your life and as with everything you have done with Jerry Lewis, that is incredible. I think i don't need to say any more than that....
Mattie i didt know you personaly or even through your fame i actually have never herd of you up utill today but i wish that i had known you personaly because you were a talented person and you will be missed hey maybe the reason god took you home so early in life is because you already learned all you needed to learn on earth and compleeted your god given task well once again i wish i had the chance to know you
Billy sang this song today at the 2010 telethon. I had never heard it until today but I am glad I did. Mattie was the Good Will Embassator right after my son came along. I thank the lord everyday that my son is healthy but I am also thankful that I was around while matty was on Earth. I never met him but I feel that Mattie was one of the greatest human beings in history. If you don't know of him or his story you should read about him. Read his story, read his poems, listen to his words!
this is one of the most touching songs i have ever heard. and i pray for the people who have muscular distrophy just like mattie did. billy gilman is a truly beautiful singer and person inside and out.
such a powerful song. Mattie you're a true angel. thank you for your blessing. and Billy you continue to amaze me. such a great voice. rest in peace mattie. or should I say GODS LITTLE ANGEL.
The boy at the end of the video is Matty J. T. Stepanik. He wrote this song among all the rest on this album. He has I believe MS. Not sure about the disease. But I know Billy Gillman worked with him to make his poetry into song.
@ckilgore99 Mattie passed away on the 22nd of June 2004. About a month before his 14th birthday. Thought you should know, since you said "He HAS I believe MS." only a year ago. Mattie's been gone for 7 years now... And he's not in pain anymore. He was "a part of the effort" (ref to "I Could.. If They Would). :-)
I looove this song. Whatever happend to Billy though? anyone know?
7890kala 2 weeks ago
Mattie J.T. Stepanek had Muscular Dystrophy. He started writing "messages" that he received in his heart from God at the age of 4! This little boy is such an inspiration to me and, I'm sure, quite a number of other people. He showed so much courage and he did what God sent him here to do, spread his word to everyone. Billy Gilman helped Mattie spread the messages by making some into songs, and I have loved this song (I Am/Shades of Life) since I heard it when it first came out. It's amazing!!!!
AshleyBrookeF 3 months ago
RIP Matty :)
sugahbabe08 4 months ago
I am glad that Billy sang this song.
CarolCasual 4 months ago
i own every album he has made, im still in love with him <3
0MiSsInDePeNdEnT9 5 months ago
@0MiSsInDePeNdEnT9 dk if you know this buy u can follow billy on twitter @bg524
mel2423 4 months ago
who is this bieber you people keep mentioning at every Youtube video i've watched? >.<
Th3BlackDahlia1 5 months ago
Billy Gilman better than bieber by far
Chrissshellers 6 months ago 3
I believe young Mattie had Muscular Dystrophy
tpindahouse2002 6 months ago
"I am spirit, I am voice
I am memory, not recalled..."
favorite part of the song!
annag67 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This video really deserves more views.
lujdlu 7 months ago
Definetely better than David and Bieber!
kittypride2 7 months ago
This one of my favorite songs of Billys
KaitlynnAppel6 8 months ago
He had dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. R.I.P Mattie <3
PURPLEluvsMCR 9 months ago
No matter what musical phase I'm going through, it's impossible not to stay a Billy Gilman fan. (for obvious reasons :]) I'm pretty sure I just fell in love with his eyes. Also, I love Mattie.
mo19262 10 months ago
At least his music gives meaning and deep feelings to many people who listen instead of the many current artists who just sing about "I love you" or "You love me" or some shit about how they can't love anymore... it's all BULL SHIT!
BILLY GILMAN FOREVER!!!
TheSoundTakesFlight 11 months ago
I want his CDs. This is like my 2nd favorite song by Billy. Oklahoma has got to be my first. He has an incredible voice. I hope he keeps singing. :)
amichelle2009 1 year ago
Ok i have this full cd...this is probably the best song off of it. Matty J.T. Stepanik R.I.P. and god is taking good care of you i am sure and billy congrats on all of your successes with these poems and your life and as with everything you have done with Jerry Lewis, that is incredible. I think i don't need to say any more than that....
crazydrummertcir 1 year ago 2
R.I.P Mattie. <33
You were a brilliant writer.
SvuFanForeva93 1 year ago 4
this is my all time favorite Billy Gilman song
4everyours1992 1 year ago 3
Mattie i didt know you personaly or even through your fame i actually have never herd of you up utill today but i wish that i had known you personaly because you were a talented person and you will be missed hey maybe the reason god took you home so early in life is because you already learned all you needed to learn on earth and compleeted your god given task well once again i wish i had the chance to know you
huffieboy1021 1 year ago
follow billy on twitter @bg524
bubbalooney 1 year ago
Billy sang this song today at the 2010 telethon. I had never heard it until today but I am glad I did. Mattie was the Good Will Embassator right after my son came along. I thank the lord everyday that my son is healthy but I am also thankful that I was around while matty was on Earth. I never met him but I feel that Mattie was one of the greatest human beings in history. If you don't know of him or his story you should read about him. Read his story, read his poems, listen to his words!
JG24rlzsun 1 year ago
Mattie, you were so talented. And were definitely taken away too soon. Maybe the world would be better had you been on it longer.
BrittanyYoungxDuckie 1 year ago
Matty had a form Muscular dystrophy
iamfunnyfarm3tg2 1 year ago
this is one of the most touching songs i have ever heard. and i pray for the people who have muscular distrophy just like mattie did. billy gilman is a truly beautiful singer and person inside and out.
Princess6444 1 year ago
better than david and bieber!!!
jikelepe 1 year ago 14
@jikelepe Why in the heck do we always have to do these stupid comparisons???? I'm so sick of it!
mmyt6767 10 months ago
i love him i cry over him tht is how much i love him and i really really want to meeeeeetttttttt himmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Kristay181 1 year ago
I love him! @_@ I LOVE GOD!
psychonana1 1 year ago
billy is such a cutie and has an amazing voice
gushuyer34 1 year ago
this is One of my fav. songs by him i love it
trb1254 1 year ago
i love this song and i love billy and i love matty....
god bless matty...
ricketable 1 year ago
wow. such a great song. the message is wonderful and his voice is so amazing.
MissMusical88 1 year ago
He's so cute
SingingJudge118 1 year ago
Wow! Die over his cuteness! His Voice! I love him! He was cute when he was young too! -sp-
2010sall 1 year ago
Mattie J.T Stepanik is a great writer.. I love his poets.. And Billy Gilman is my all-time-favorite!!
ariokakinchan94 1 year ago
Miss U Mattie I always think of u
princessofbronxville 1 year ago
This is one of my favorite songs on the "Music Through Heartsongs" album. The words and music are beautiful!
LisaP120 1 year ago
He gettingso cute as he has been growing. I wonder what he looks like now.
But i really like this sond. I love his smile at the begining
gorsegner 2 years ago
such a powerful song. Mattie you're a true angel. thank you for your blessing. and Billy you continue to amaze me. such a great voice. rest in peace mattie. or should I say GODS LITTLE ANGEL.
MrNoaBoi21 2 years ago
The boy at the end of the video is Matty J. T. Stepanik. He wrote this song among all the rest on this album. He has I believe MS. Not sure about the disease. But I know Billy Gillman worked with him to make his poetry into song.
ckilgore99 2 years ago 20
Matty had Dysautonomic Mitochondrial Myopathy. Amazing child, isn't he? What a beautiful gift.
EndlessRingOfLight 2 years ago
@ckilgore99 No Mattie had MD. he had Muscular Dystrophy.
mileycyrus33319 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@ckilgore99 Mattie had MD. He had Muscular Dystrophy.
mileycyrus33319 1 year ago
@ckilgore99 he had MDS.
babababydoll07 11 months ago
@ckilgore99 Mattie passed away on the 22nd of June 2004. About a month before his 14th birthday. Thought you should know, since you said "He HAS I believe MS." only a year ago. Mattie's been gone for 7 years now... And he's not in pain anymore. He was "a part of the effort" (ref to "I Could.. If They Would). :-)
Kiefer89 9 months ago
wow omg!!!!!! i like you billy gilman
whose that child in the picture in 3:54
MrEddyeric 2 years ago
his name is Mattie. who died of MD in 2004.
these songs in this album are based on his poems.
you can hear his voice at 2:38.
aq2791 2 years ago
OMG..
BioSoC09 2 years ago