I filed that away in my widdle head.

   As I grew older I noticed that music could sneak up on you emotionally. It wasn't reasonable and it wasn't concrete; it was like a powerful drug someone sneaked into your drink when you weren't looking!  Music had the power to make you experience would could not be put into words.

  The first time I stood next to a piano I felt such a strange longing! I kid you not. I wanted to play! But, my family didn't do the music lesson thing. I was the only kid I knew who wasn't forced to have lessons. 

  Years later, as a Jehovah's Witness, in Federal Prison over the draft/neutrality issue I found I could skip meals and sneak into the Catholic chapel where there was a piano. I set about teaching myself how to play music.  I must have lost twenty five pounds that way.

  Two years later I had figured it out. I could now compose. While I was in Seagoville Federal Correctional Institution (the Bighouse) I would break down the Kingdom Songbook and do arrangements for the little group of musicians (brothers) who were also in prison. I got experience in how to put instruments together.

   When technology finally caught up with the space age computers and music could be made using a keyboard and a computer I was hooked for life! I set about creating what I called "Ear Movies". I made promotional discs with evocative music on them and sent them out to producers, directors, filmmakers, TV stations, documentarians, etc.  Before I knew it I had landed a few modest assignments. Word of mouth led to more work. Soon I was earning my living as a composer!  Nothing famous--but, enough to keep me happy and allow me the freedom to express myself emotionally.  Which brings me to this collection of music I call PARADISE LOST.

  These pieces were composed in a highly emotional state of mind as I reflected on various aspects of my Jehovah's Witness life. From the lighter to the darker side I poured out my thoughts in feelings in the language of music. I used as wide a spectrum of colors as I could with my Alesis Keyboard and Cakewalk Software.  I dedicated the piece Watchtower Man to Randy Watters who went from being a Bethel company man to a fighter for freedom for people's minds. As an Ex-Watchtower Man he has done as much for freedom as Thomas Paine or Thomas Jefferson in their lifetime.

Enjoy!

Terry Walstrom 

copyright 2004