JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum TODD CERNEY, RIP, A GREAT SOUL

A TRIBUTE TO TODD


I wanted to take a minute and mention the passing of my Bud and co-writer Todd Cerney. Todd and I were friends for about 15 years and wrote two songs, one called "Have a Little Faith" which is another one of those songs that is really cool, but just never found it's way.

Todd was a great guy as well as a wonderful writer. He had been in Nashville about 30 years starting out as an engineer. Told me some of the funniest stories. He would be working at some of the really huge studios as a second engineer, (getting all the crappy late night jobs.) He would work in the studios from about 6:00 in the evening, working sometimes till 2:00 or 3:00, THEN start doing his own stuff.

It was before automation, so he would have to perform each track live. He would push the "Record" button, then go in and do a full live drum track. Had to do it from start to finish. Then finish the track, run in, push "stop." If he messed up, he would have to run in, and start it all over again. Then he would do bass, guitar, madolin (he actually was a GREAT mando player) He taught Natalie Maines and Emily (Dixie Chicks) mandolin before they got their deal. He did that for several years.

He wrote with a TON of people and then met and started hanging out with Pam Rose and Mary Ann Kennedy,who were pretty well established writers. One of the songs they wrote was called "I'll Still Be Loving You." He did one of those late night demos on it and it was cut by Restless Heart, who was a GREAT band in the 80's-90's. I LOVED that song and one of the cool times was when I had to call him from the road when I was hired to do a wedding and they wanted that song for the main wedding theme. I had to call him and get the lyrics, which is a pretty fun thing to do when you know the writer.

We met at the Frank Brown festival where he and Wood Newton sat in a very cold room to listen to me. He was always like that. Would listen to people and really spend time with them. We got together quite a bit for a while, wrote a few songs and finished two. His Wife, Kip was a local television personality and she was great too. I really feel for her.

About 6 years ago, Kip lost her job and Todd was hit by a stroke type illness that paralyzed the right side of his body. He couldn't play and was really having a tough time. He was making his way back, but they were close to losing their house. As they were getting down to losing everything, a song he had written with a newcomer to town (sound familiar?) artist, who had no shot at a record deal, suddenly ended up with one and released a song they had written about 8 years before. the guy's name was Steve Holy and the song was "GOOD MORNING BEAUTIFUL".It went to number one and was one of the biggest songs of the year.

His Tin Pan round that year was several people that had gotten nearly to being broke between hits and the round was called "Don't Have to Sell the House after all".

He was a warm, wonderful guy and I hate that I didn't see him for a while. That is what happens here. We all get into our own lives and even when you live in the same town you miss things. for the past few years he had been diagnosed with Cancer and was living with it. I had heard he got better for a while, then, I wrote with another friend Leslie Ellis about three weeks ago and she had played a benefit with him a few nights before that. Todd did about four songs and then had to quit. He was in a lot of pain and just was giving out.

We knew this was coming but you never expect it. So I heard this morning from Tina, who had heard it from someone. So thank you if it was one of you. I have been in the studio with Big Ed all day so haven't been able to get much news.

So I will remember my friend and co-writer Todd Cerney. One of the most decent guys I have ever known here. He brought a lot of joy to this world. It is very interesting that the song we wrote that we both liked the best was called "HAVE A LITTLE FAITH.' It really speaks well of him and a message we both wanted in the world.

I will post that so you can read and hear my friend Todd. The world should still hear him.

Thanks,

MAB

Hey MAB,

I read it this morning. Its always sad to see someone pass. Condolences for you and for his family.

John

I am a fan of that song, Good morning beautiful.

I am very sorry for your loss of a friend, and of course to his dear family. It is hard to say goodbye.


Thinking of you
and his family~

Kimberly

MAB, I'm sorry to hear you lost a friend. Cherish the memories and the friendship between the two of you. I'd bet your friendship meant as much to him as his did to you.

Thanks guys,

Todd was a gem among writers. The things I see about Nashville that make it a wonderful place to live. the things most people don't see "behind the scenes" are the really great things. Todd was one of them.

MAB

MAB, I too am so sorry you've lost a friend. The good thing is that you have such wonderful memories of him. These will - in a certain way - keep him alive and still in the world.

Donna

Hi Mab,

Sorry for your loss, he sounds like a wonderful soul.
This is a great tribute to him by a friend, I'm sure he's
smiling down on you:)-Dana

Thanks for your wishes guys, I'll pass them along to his widow, Kip.

This is the song, "Have a Little Faith" that Todd and I wrote.
It pretty much sums up his philosophy.

MAB

http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=83749

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I really enjoyed the song. We all need a bit more faith, especially in God. Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.

Good song, sounds like a great guy, hard to accept, I know. Very apropos to me, as I have been writing a song this morning about visiting a loved one's grave.

Marc:

Sorry to hear about Todd. Your tribute to him was an interesting and inspiring thing to read. Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

Dave

Sorry to hear about your loss Marc. I also heard that Wendy Vickers has passed from cancer as well{another regular on the Nashville scene} I imagine you probably knew her. I just buried a friend of mine today who passed from cancer at age 44.Seems to be a lot of it going around. Never take life for granted folks...

The stuff that "happens behind the scenes" is real life. And this should be a reminder to all reading this to contact your local friends who we all take for granted sometimes (myself included) and see how they are doing. At least an email, but much better a phone call as that is often when the truth comes out, even if in between the lines or through the sound of their voice.

Sorry for your loss MAB. Nice for folks to know they had friends who care enough to stop and acknowledge them.

Brian

Hi Marc

Sorry to hear you lost a great Mate Marc,hey, big hugs, and I listened to "Have a Little Faith" beautiful song, and strong lyrics. Thanks for sharing.

Lv Michele