Goodbye, Friend

Monday, February 1, 2010

He wrote the first music for Franklin Springs, and he wrote the most recent.  And now he’s gone home to his eternal reward.

Tom Howard, our longtime friend and frequent collaborator, died of a massive heart attack on Friday while on a walk with his wife, Dori.

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We expected to awake today to great excitement at the prospect of releasing our George Washington Carver film, for which Tom wrote the music (see our blog post ofJanuary 20).  Now, as we look ahead to his funeral on Wednesday, we wrestle with the loss of a friend who contributed so much to our work.

In addition to the Carver score, Tom wrote our music for A Journey Home, The Stonewall Jackson Story, and An American Adventure (the Jimmy Gentry film).  For our films that are more story-oriented, there was never much question as to where we would turn.  While Tom was widely regarded as one of the very brightest talents in Nashville, we had the benefit of a longstanding friendship and working relationship that started twenty years ago in Los Angeles.  We were fortunate to have Tom involved in our projects, and we knew it.

Our sadness is tempered, however, by the knowledge that Tom’s life and artistry touched so many people.  Read more at the following Facebook page:  In Memory of Tom Howard. 

If you are among the people whose lives have been impacted by A Journey Home, it’s likely you’ll remember fondly Tom’s incredible musical contribution to that film.  We’ll always treasure what he brought to A Journey Home (and the other films). 

Here’s the closing music from A Journey Home:

We’re better for having known you, Tom.  The heavenly anthem is that much more melodic now that you’re home…

Posted on 2/1 at 10:56 AM • Reflection • Permalink
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