Having crossed paths with Michael Tiernan professionally because of the song that inspired this entire album, it was a natural “YES!” for me to witness the album release concert for his newest studio production, For Others. What transpired on November 9th at North County’s newly built and already locally renowned Bornemann Theatre was remarkable – down to the fitting choice of location. Witnessing an award-winning songwriter and talented performer not only bear his enormous heart outwardly but also amplify the heart and soul of others in such a respectful and energizing way was a sight to behold altogether. Let me take you there.
“1000 voices call for my attention. I’m about to set them free.
Sometimes the longest road you can travel goes from your head down to your heart.”
~ Michael Tiernan, from “You Make it Easy”
The Stage: Nestled between the rolling hills of San Marcos and situated on 20 acres of pristine farmland covered in ancient oaks, The Bornemann Theatre on The Teri Campus of Life is “where artistry meets inclusivity, creating memorable experiences for all.” Catering to both the public and the special needs community, The Teri Campus was founded on the belief that “when given the opportunity, people discover each other’s humanity and happily live and learn side by side.” How incredibly appropriate to bring this album release concert to a place known for discovering the depth of humanity in others and strengthening our collective empathy for those around us. Michael Tiernan’s album was written For Others – for parents, lovers, mystics, and departed souls – and alluringly performed live. Tiernan invited an array of other musicians to add elements of talent and depth; what transpired was tangible emotion that danced along with his breath as he sang the powerfully dedicated lyrics to memorialize moments in time of love, loss, hope, and healing.
Enlisting some of San Diego’s greats like Dylan Kebow (Bass/Vox), Collin Elliott (Electric Guitar), Jonny Tarr (Keys/Sax/Vox), Matt Gittelson (Drums), Erdis Maxhelaku (Cello), Niko Hueso (Violin), Latifah Smith and Claudia Stasny (Background Vox) and his weekly jam companion, Jeffrey Stasny (Percussion), further punctuated the selflessness of this album’s integrity. The ten players on stage magnified the music, which already encompasses so many stories from all walks of life that the show was truly eclectic in every way. Such a stellar performance is something you cannot reproduce; the synergy of the moment and the presence of the people whom the songs were written about were also incorporated into the show – this blend of humility and humanity is a rarity to behold.
Azim Khamisa
It was never Tiernan’s “mission to write songs for others,” he shared on stage as he introduced the album’s inspiration. As fate would have it, years ago, while performing as a guest artist at the Center for Spiritual Living in Mission Valley, he resonated deeply with the keynote that day, leaving forever touched by his tragic story. Coupled with the story Tiernan had heard on stage and Azim Khamisa’s eloquent elaborations on the details of his journey forward after losing his son to gun violence, Tiernan was inspired to write the song that then enlivened this new album, inspired by the powerful stories of those around him. As Tiernan started this process, he put himself “in someone else’s story, got out of the way, and was open to the messages that came through.” Tiernan masterfully writes melodic caricatures of people’s lives, finding ways to affect others and keep the stories of people’s defining moments alive within memorable music – somehow always landing on the positive even when the stories are heartbreakingly tragic.
At this point in my career, I’ve come to discover that, at least for me, music and songwriting is served up best when it’s used to serve others. After 25 years of writing songs about my own experiences, challenges, philosophical musings, and existential discoveries – these past few years, I’ve been inspired to write about other people’s stories instead of my own. That has opened a whole other world to me as an artist – I get to amplify and collaborate with the power, energy, and inspiration of someone else’s experiences, joys, suffering, and hard-earned wisdom.”
“On both sides of the gun
Show me somebody who has won
If the cycle gets repeated
We’re all hurting, we’re all bleeding
Is it beyond our grasp? Show us the perfect path.”
~ From “The Perfect Path”
The notable song that birthed the intention behind the album, “The Perfect Path,” beautifully showcased with the palpable emotional accompaniment of the cello and violin, moved people to tears. This song recounts the story of Azim Khamisa’s path to forgiveness that transpired after the “perfect path” of a bullet swiftly stole his son’s life at the age of 20 during a gang-related incident in the 90s. Azim was not only present at The Bornemann Theatre, but Tiernan brought him on stage as he did many of the “Others” that the album highlights, to share their story and amplify the message of hope that they have come to through their various struggles. Khamisa himself said, “that he hadn’t realized until after hearing Tiernan’s song that forgiveness was his own perfect path.”
The way that Michael Tiernan channels the depth of emotion from the stories that move him to music is a gift that many artists dream of mastering. It comes from years of personal exploration after surviving cancer at the young age of 16 years old himself. His existential journey to this moment has taken him across continents, through conflicts and suffering, and shaped him into a magnificent man. One audience member bluntly declared while talking about Tiernan, “The heart of this man…” seemingly choking back tears while he spoke, pointing to Tiernan on stage, “He’s the best of humans right there!” It was no surprise to find out later that this adoring fan was Johnathan, the father of Chase, who the song “Keep on Love” is about. Tiernan’s gigantic heart was blatantly illustrated in his ability to lift others on stage with him – musically and socially – to share their causes that will undoubtedly change the lives of many. These songs are auditory calling cards to bring light to organized efforts that will benefit the masses. For instance, we learned that Azim Khamisa has 2 non-profit foundations that work to reduce violence in youth here in San Diego and another to raise consciousness and inspire world peace. Learn more at tkf.org and peacethruforgiveness.org/
“I keep lovin ‘em, keep lovin ‘em, even after they’ve gone
The connection’s still strong
I keep lovin ‘em, I keep lovin ‘em, even though it hurts like hell
It’s in the stories we share.”
~ From “Keep on Love”
Tiernan’s expanse of emotional storytelling continued through the evening, featuring songs like “Keep on Love” which brings to life the intensity of emotions and the mental health crisis many parents face when the unthinkable loss of a child to suicide spirals into grief and blame. Tiernan wrote the song about Chase Friedman, a 14-year-old who took his own life after a mental health crisis made worse by the pandemic. Tiernan introduced Chase’s Dad, Johnathan, to the microphone, who has since started a foundation, Chase Life, to help families skip the ER (www.chaselife.gives for more info). He recounted that the song is “about loving someone even when they’re not perfect. When they’re angry at you. When you don’t understand, keep loving them.” The increased awareness and communal healing that was present was apparent when Johnathan referenced hearing Azim’s testimony in the first set and shared publicly that he had just then realized he needed to forgive himself; the power of these songs and stories is immeasurable.
Tiernan’s capacity for empathy and exposition of people’s defining moments transcends time and space; he was inspired to channel these stories into music for the magnification of the movements behind these messages – the deep healing, camaraderie, and actual momentum that is building out of these families’ efforts to change society for the better. His songs are notably catchy, uplifting, and sentimental by nature, but it is apparent that his goal is not stardom but that his muse is connection at its greatest, offering his talent to the masses more like a legacy of emotional support and social change than fame. All in attendance were – and likely everyone who streams the newly released album will be – touched by the authenticity of each song’s energy. For Others is about “Real songs for real people. Real stories. Real inspiration,” Tiernan shared at one point in the evening.
Music is about more than the powerful sound, and the experience of witnessing it, it’s about the people who inspire the songs, and who touch the hearts of others through their humanity. The energy keeps rippling outward, building movements and creating connections for people to come together in hope and positive transmutations of hardships. Tiernan’s new album is for the many people the music will touch as it passes through communities. Though Tiernan has a true knack for translating tragedy into heartfelt hope, he also is well-versed in love – and maybe that is how he manifests music about heartbreaking situations with the delicate beacons of hope as he does.
His career has been largely dedicated to love stories through wedding performances, where he has developed the profound skill of storytelling while commemorating each couple’s unique tale. Such was the case with the love story behind the song “Life in 3D.” Because this show was one of exposition at its greatest, he had the couple on stage, dancing their choreographed “wedding song” from their actual first dance for the second time in history in front of a receptive audience who could feel their love through Tiernan’s lyrics as we watched them twirl about enamored with one another. She is a ballroom dancer: he had never danced before meeting her – their coming together catapulted them from a two-dimensional life to one in 3D – now more than ever as they embodied the song on stage in front of a room full of strangers reminding us all what it feels like to come alive through love.
“So, we headed off on two wheels through France
Trying every new thing, taking every chance
Finding our way on our own two feet
Your beautiful face made me remember every street
So, will you dance with me?
On the mountain or by the sea
We were just living 2 dimensionally
But dancing with you is like life in 3D”
~ From “Life in 3D”
The night was full of surprises, fun, laughter, jokes, and deeply moving moments that brought tears to the eyes and sighs to the hearts of all in attendance. From calling out his regulars by name and personality quips from his Acoustic Wednesdays En Fuego Del Mar community (the place Tiernan has played almost weekly for 15 years, his longest musical residency in San Diego) in one of his signature catchy, upbeat, and playful songs, called “Lift ‘Em Up.” Tiernan reserves the 3rd verse every week to sing about people in the crowd that night, focusing on the levity, fun, and communal acceptance they share about “showing up as you are.” He later switched gears yet again to profoundly document the song of the sky (that inspired the album cover art) in “Children of the Stars,” when Tiernan showcased his musical talents brilliantly like a rising star himself. Throughout the evening, he juxtaposed tragic heartbreak with unmistakable remnants of romance, and no matter what the circumstance of the song content was about, he found a way to share love.
“What am I going to do with all this love? I’m going to spend it all on you, all of this love.
A heart is a thing, and I know it can break, just never thought it could be from such a good thing. And I don’t have a clue of how much I can hold but I feel like my love is about to overflow.
And I owe it all to you…”
~ From “What Am I Gonna Do (With All This Love)?”
Though the album is largely as the title suggests, For Others, it is deeply personal to him in the sense that every fan, friend, and person that Tiernan crosses paths with leaves a mark on his heart and it is his current calling to spark that love in others. This dedication album exemplifies his artistry and supports pertinent causes in our local communities that will have impacts outwardly well beyond his years. So many of his lyrics are meaningful and embody embers of emotion which will be apparent when you listen to the album for yourself. As he closed the show, encompassing the energy of his recent studio production, he brought it back close to home with a song dedicated to his mother, who is slowly losing her memories. This sweet serenade encapsulates the intention of all the songs for others in the poignant lyric, “These are the things I’ll remember for you.”