Passion", my “labor of love” began in December of 2002. At that time my younger son, James, got deployed to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne. I just couldn’t sleep at night and needed a total diversion from what I normally do. I am a teacher by day with the Hartford Public School system in Connecticut. One day walking through my school, Breakthrough Magnet School, was a man I met at a wedding reception. He was the wonderful entertainment and someone mentioned to me that he had a recording studio. I thought about contacting him from time to time but never got around to doing it. Well there’s Dave McKinney and I asked him if he knew any studio musicians who would be able to play my music if I sang the different musical parts. I can’t read or write a note of music but in my head know what each and every instrument should be doing throughout the song. He said he knew some musicians who could help me. They did more than that; they brought my music to life!

Over the next three years both my boys got deployed. James went to Afghanistan and a second deployment to Iraq and my son, Nicholas, got deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Brigade 2nd ID with the Stryker unit out of FT. Lewis, WA. Both boys were deployed to Iraq at the same time; needless to say being in the recording studio was just what I needed.

With some songs they required a musician that wasn’t available through Dave. For example, I needed a harmonica player for “Denise and Eddie”. I love live music so I would go and listen to various bands in the area and ask them to help me with my project. The funny thing is I have a gravely speaking voice which is nothing like my singing voice. I really wonder what they thought of me going up to them. Most of the time the musicians (like Don DeSteffano the harmonica player and Dale Adams a talented keyboard player) were super kind and gladly helped me with my project. Other times, musicians would decline; I think they thought, “Better stay clear of this one!” Little did they know they missed-out on the project of a lifetime! To hear more of Don DeSteffano and his band listen to: The Bernadettes.

All of the musicians really "stepped up to the plate." Christophe Chalamet, Jonathan Chatfield, Kelly Littlejohn III, and Dale Adams brought wonderful arrangements and keyboard to my music. Besides being my producer, Dave McKinney is a talented lead guitar player. Bass players Mike Ringland and Brian Jenkins kept the music rich and steady. Drummers Jay Woods and Charles Evans shimmered the cymbals and dusted the snare drums. Gregg Allen is a percussionist "extraordinare". Don DeStafano rocked "Denise and Eddie" with his harmonica. Marianna Nielsen layered sultry sounds with her saxophone. Trumpet players Ross Tucker and Scott Haber capture the spice of each song they played.

I accomplished my goal of having my music become a cd. Another goal is to set-up a higher education scholarship. I intend to have $5.00 from every $15.00cd sold go to Hartford Public Schools.  I love teaching in Hartford and want to help children who have attended Breakthrough make a dream of higher education come true. I know dreams can come true; just listen to mine!

You may order additional copies of “Passion” by sending a $15.00 check or certified money order made out to: Sally O'Brien, P.O.Box 352, Norfolk, CT 06058