It took a while, but Carson’s song, “Sunshine” is now available on a few music streaming services.

During the last couple months of Hatcher’s life, Carson composed this song. We would occasionally hear him working out the melody on the digital piano – that is, the times he played without using headphones. It is at those time when the rest of the house can hear and enjoy his music. For any who are curious, creating music like this is one of Carson’s hobbies.

This melody had already become somewhat of a “Hatcher’s theme” as we could feel the emotion going into it. A few days before Hatcher passed away, we asked Carson if it could be played at Hatcher’s funeral. In the week between Hatcher’s passing and the memorial service, Carson worked diligently on the song to complete it and to add a little more of Hatcher.

Maybe it’s the environment in which this song was born, or maybe it’s just that Shelly and I instinctively feel Hatcher in this song - but whatever it is, we will always associate “Sunshine” with Hatcher’s life. For eighteen years, we had front row seats to the stage on which Hatcher played. We saw him make his entrance; we saw him make his exit. And we were his audience for every part he played in between. I feel that this song somehow captures essentials of Hatcher’s personality.

When I listen to “Sunshine” now, I can see him pacing and silently working through complex ideas. In my mind’s eye, I can see him laugh and love. I can see him as a toddler talking gibberish as he “read” books out loud. I can see him as a 10-year-old, stimming and flapping around and wishing he was a bird. I can see him brooding and looking out of a window and contemplating everything. And I can see his excitement as he explains the concept of whatever subject he was currently passionate about. I feel the song captures his many quirks and idiosyncrasies, his vitality and curiosity, his love for us and for others. I feel that it captures the good things I want to remember about Hatcher. And I’m thankful to Carson for allowing us to associate his song with Hatcher. We hope you will enjoy “Sunshine” as much as we have.

Try the links below to listen to the song. It may eventually appear on other streaming platforms too, like Apple Music and iHeartRadio. We’re still figuring out the ins and outs of putting original music content to places like Apple Music. If you have difficulty finding it, search “Sunshine” and/or “C.G.Amadeus” which is Carson’s artist name.

Thank you.

Amazon Music: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0BZ4CNDLB?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_0NjEF8DOTOmgupGGZvmT8RPbX

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/45x6MuHtTBNrGJW5HkzwYm?si=6870a5151dc2447f

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zf6gt8O1dzk

Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/QwFmmGfyxyb