“The Legend of Henry Lee”
Henry’s incredible journey through the Great Depression, World War II, Communist China and Leprosy. Lyrics by Michael Groetsch, Vocals by Dan Rivers. LISTEN HERE:
“You Danced with Me”
This song takes listeners through four chapters of an enduring relationship and marriage: Love at first sight, having a family, supporting one another in times of crisis, and growing old together gracefully. Lyrics by Michael Groetsch; vocals by singer-songwriter Dan Rivers
“Still in the Love In”
“Granny and grandpa are 2 old hippies. They’re at it again. Instead of sitting in a rocking chair, they’re out protesting somewhere. Although they don’t know what it’s about, they’re going to figure it out.”
Co-written by Michael Groetsch and Dan Rivers. Performed by Dan Rivers.
“Hippie Heaven” 
“Hippie Heaven” is about an aging hippie who is put under during surgery only to find himself traveling through a “white light that turns to purple haze” that opens to a stage filled with deceased rock stars from the 1960s.
Co-written by Michael Groetsch and Dan Rivers. Performed by Dan Rivers.
“You’ve Become My Son”
You’ve Become My Son: (Americana/Folk) As parents age, they often regress and become childlike. Role reversal sometimes takes place in which sons and daughters begin parenting their aging mothers and fathers. You’ve Become My Son is a beautiful tribute to an elderly father in which his son begins to do for him, all those things that his father once did for the son.
LISTEN TO THE FULL LENGTH SONG HERE:
“Whisper Goodbye”
LOVING MEMORY OF PAUL TROUARD – While sleeping at night with a spouse who is terminally ill can be devastating, it can also be a moment of rejoicing the wonderful memories once shared with family and friends. “Whisper Goodbye,” performed by Dan Rivers and co-written by Michael Groetsch shares the intimate thoughts of a wife who is spiritually prepared for the loss of her husband. LISTEN TO WHISPER GOODBYE HERE
“Who Rescued Who”
Our music video won first place in a national caregiving contest several months ago and will be performed live on stage by Dan Rivers at a national caregiving conference in Chicago in November. Co-written and produced by Michael Groetsch, co-written and vocals by Dan Rivers. When friends suggest to the elderly man that he rescued an aging shelter dog, he replies that the dog actually rescued him. LISTEN TO THE TRACK “WHO RESCUED WHO” HERE:
“Sunset Village”
The song “Sunset Village” is a touching story of an aging man who loses his wife of 50 years. He then enters an old folk’s home and must leave his little dog behind. After a brief period however, the home’s staff changes their pet policy and tearfully reunites him with the dog that helped him through his grief. The song was co-written by Michael Groetsch and New Orleans singer Dan Rivers. It is performed by Dan Rivers.
“I Can Still Hear the Music”
Co-written by Michael Groetsch and Dan Rivers
Most would agree that the songs of the late 1960s and early 1970s contained some of the most meaningful and powerful lyrics and themes of the 20th century. Artists like James Taylor, Carole King, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Harry Chapin and many other folk singers wrote and sang about issues that were thought- provoking and profoundly significant. With rare exception, much of the music produced at that time had social messages that reflected the changes and mind-set of that era.
Unfortunately, the music industry of today has disregarded the lyrical themes of yesteryear. In their production of new material, the industry has chosen to focus primarily on the younger generation. Consequently, if someone who was part of the social movement of the 60s and 70s wants to enjoy music that is appealing to them, they must tune into an “Oldie Channel.” This is even the case with country music. The music industry seems to have forgotten that most of the 60s generation are alive and well and are still thirsty for music and lyrics with significant and meaningful social themes.
You will find that the collection of songs in “I Can Still Hear the Music” have been written and produced for not only the baby boomers, but also for those they love. Each of the songs involves a captivating and provocative theme that often presents itself later in life. While some of the songs are about painful issues that face us all, they were written and composed in a way that always sees the glass as being half- full. The beautiful voice of Dan Rivers and provocative lyrics of co-writer Michael Groetsch helps capture the emotion and essence of each song in a way that speaks to your heart and to the hearts of your loved ones.
HEAR THE SONGS ON YOUTUBE HERE
1. Still In The Love-In: (Folk/Rock) (Folk/Rock) Where have all the old hippies from the 60s gone? Many are still alive and well and instead of sitting on their porch in a rocking chair, they are probably out protesting somewhere. While they may not know what it’s all about, they can still figure it out.
2. You Danced with Me: (Waltz) A touching chronology of the 4 chapters of an enduring and loving marriage: love at first sight, having a family, supporting one another in times of crisis, and growing old together gracefully.
3. Your Pretty Face Is Blue: (Americana) Domestic violence is an unfortunate and tragic aspect of our society that not only impacts the woman, but her children as well. Your Pretty Face is Blue is a sobering revelation of how young boys who witness such violence often repeat the behaviors of their fathers.
4. I Can Still Heart the Music: (Americana/Theatrical) This featured track is masterfully performed and produced in the style of 60s folk singer Harry Chapin. Within 7 minutes, the song shares the rise, fall and resurrection of the coastal town of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The first part of the trilogy begins in 1954 when summers on the beaches were pure joy. The second segment covers the Bay immediately before and after it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The last part rejoices in the Bay’s reconstruction. In essence, the song travels through the mood spectrum of joy, pain and elation.
5. Whisper Goodbye: (Adult Contemporary) While going to sleep at night with a spouse who is terminally ill can be devastating, it can also be a moment of rejoicing in the wonderful and lasting memories that were once shared with family and friends. Whisper Goodbye shares the intimate thoughts of a wife who has spiritually prepared for the loss of her husband.
6. Sunset Village: (Americana /Folk) After fifty years of marriage, an elderly man looses his wife and has to enter an old folk’s home. He also discovers that the home does not allow pets and that he must surrender the dog that helped him through his grief to an animal shelter. Later in the song however, the story takes a happy turn when the staff surprises him and reunites him with his pup.
7. Who Rescued Who: (Americana/Folk) An elderly man walks into an animal shelter looking to adopt a puppy but after an old and gray dog catches his eye, he adopts the older dog instead. When friends visit his home and comment that he rescued the dog, he softly replies that the dog actually rescued him. He also realizes that the dog walks and shares with him each day, the beauty in a world that he had almost forgotten.
8. Hippie Heaven: (Folk/Rock) While being put under during surgery, an aging hippie finds himself traveling through a “white light that turns to purple haze” and visits the performances of several deceased rock stars of the 1960s. After regaining consciousness, he wonders if it was a near death experience or simply a dream.
9. Within Me: (Soulful/Gospel) So many women and men who lose their unborn or newly born children find solace in knowing that their hearts and those of their children still beat as one. They seek refuge in knowing that the souls of their children are still within them and that they will eventually be reconciled in the next life.
10. You’re Become My Son: (Americana/Folk) As parents age, they often regress and become childlike. Role reversal sometimes takes place in which sons and daughters begin parenting their aging mothers and fathers. You’ve Become My Son is a beautiful tribute to an elderly father in which his son begins to do for him, all those things that his father once did for the son.