Jim Kilby has opened up for over 50 national acts. He's been featured on CNBC-TV and written up in numerous newspapers including 'The Washington Post'. He's been called -"the most dynamic performer I've seen in years" by Lead Singer Dave Cousins of the legendary band 'The Strawbs'.
He also caught the attention of famed Rock Critic & Author John Tobler in England.
Jim is kown for his high energy live performances. For more information on Jim you can go to www.KilbyandTaylor.com
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Father's Tribute was originally written for my Dad as a Father's Day gift. It was written during a time when money was extremely tight. I couldn't even afford to buy my Dad a shirt or tie. I was living back under my Fathers roof after falling on hard times.
I wrote the song in the basement . The same basement where my mother started her own nursery school. It took a few days to complete. It was written in the early 1990s. I typed the lyrics on a typewriter, framed it and gave it to my Dad.
When my Father recently passed away, I revisited the song and played it at his funeral as a farewell from me and my brothers (Chuck, David, Robert, and Steven). I have since played it quite often out at the clubs. It still remains one of my favorites. I was never very happy with the sound quality of this recording. However, this performance has strong sentimental value to me because it was done the day after my Dad died. I did it with a mic I bought at Radio Shack, a fifty dollar keyboard and a few other second hand instruments. Special thanks to my friend Joey Vitello for laying down some live drum fills and a great drum roll around the drum machine parts. Hopefully, one day it will be recorded in a top of the line studio. I truly feel this song deserves it. Money will help make it sound better, but money can't write it. Only the heart can do that.
My Dad was a great inspiration to me and my brothers. He was the father of five boys. He took on a greater responsibility when my Mother suddenly passed away from cancer at a very young age. We all loved him and miss him very much. The video was done in the barn of a local farmer who lives in my hometown of Vernon (my great thanks to the Rickey family). Vernon is a small town at the top of northern New Jersey. It's where I grew up as a child and now raise my own two boys with my wife.
Sean Frank shot the video on a Canon GL-2. We worked inside the barn on a very hot summers day. It had to reach over one hundred degrees in that barn. We played the song over and over. His dedication to getting every angle possible captured my respect right away. He had sweat dripping off his face for hours. He's got a future in this business . . . simply because he's going to out work everybody else. I can't thank Sean enough. Unless you're in the business, you have no idea how much time goes into a simple four minute video.
In closing...,
if you have something you want to say, say it now.
Time does run out.
My father said some great things to me through the years. Here are some of my favorites:
"If everyone's thinking the same way, somebody's not thinking"
"You dont understand what life's about until you become a parent".
"People tend to believe what they want to believe, the truth has nothing to do with it"
Hopefully, everyone finds a piece of their own father in this song.
Jim Kilby, Jr.
To Contact - jimkilby@aol.com
FATHERS TRIBUTE - LYRIC
{Verse 1}
Father you taught me and you have guided me.
Father you loved me well.
Father you told me that honesty matters and the heart makes a man not his shell.
Father you raised me, then let me go my way.
Dad I forgot to call.
I've been wrapped up in dreams and bill paying schemes... bruised up by lifes little falls.
Now tonight in the mirror, the face that I find.
Is far from a child, it's holding some lines.
*{Refrain 1}
Oh you are my Father and I am your son.
No longer a child... a man I've become
Out far in the distance you still watch me run
You're always my Father, I'm always your son.
{Verse 2}
Now Father I pained you, when I went against you.
Daddy I busted your rules.
Father I know that wisdom grows slow and sons have the wisdom of fools.
Now sometimes I walk like you, sometimes I talk like you, sometimes I think that I'm you.
Oh I've done some leaning on what you believe in
Your proud legacy continues
Oh tonight my shadow, here on the ground
Reminds me of how... your always...your always around.
*{Refrain 2}
Of you are the Father and we are your sons
We're no longer children... now men we've become
and far in the distance you still watch us run.
You're always our Father
Thanks for all that you've done
Oh daddy we love you and that...that's from your son
That's from your sons
I want to Thank you...I am your son
I want to Thank you...I am your son
Thank you
Copyright-Jim Kilby Music 2009
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I Knew My Father Knew ~a tribute to fathers~by ElsieBird685,129 views
wonderful video and music---much the best luck to you Jim and I shall be sharing it at my site. Thnx
alexandermm100 2 years ago 9
This is a beautiful and powerful song, thank you for sharing with us. Emotional and moving, the sentiment is expressed perfectly.
redjan1963 2 years ago 8