“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” - Albert Schweitzer
Local composer and recording artist, William Johnson, has experienced the truth of Schweitzer’s words. His adopted felines Titan Kitty, Sereno Whiskerdo, Artemis, Zeus and Nishka Blue have all had a tremendous impact on his life and music. He has composed several songs with his feline comrades in mind, but the sudden deaths of his beloved Titan and Sereno lead William to discover that a pet’s death can strike a deep chord.
With the devastating loss of his feline companions last year, William felt compelled to compose and record an orchestral piece, “Deliverance (Crossing the Rainbow Bridge)” that captured the significance of Sereno and Titan’s life. As they both were adopted from a shelter, he is kindly donating all proceeds from the song’s sale on the platform CD Baby and other platforms to the Richmond SPCA.
As any pet owner knows, the loss of a beloved pet is heartbreaking. It’s not only the loss of a companion, but the loss of a family member. We asked William to take us on his creative journey in composing “Deliverance (Crossing the Rainbow Bridge)” and the story of his beloved felines.
What role have your cats played in your life?
No matter what a day brings, I have found that my little furry friends always improve it. They have an impeccable sense and ability to communicate. For example, in 2015 I was diagnosed with liver disease. It took at least six months to get control of the symptoms, but during that entire period my cats huddled around me and never left my side.
I can remember that I would always wake up to a choir of purring during those days. It’s that unconditional love that can heal and empower and inspire art. Once my health returned, I had this overwhelming drive to compose and publish my music before finding myself on the other side of the bridge.
What inspired you to compose a song about your cats Sereno Whiskerdo and Titan Kitty?
Unconditional love. Music is a raw expression of emotion for songwriters, performers and listeners, alike. As a human, I find it amazing how easy it is to communicate with my cats. As a composer and recording artist I have an alternative voice that enables me to share emotions that mere words just can’t capture or express. The listener may not hear the same story I’m telling, but they feel the same emotion.
The week of Christmas 2016, a couple of weeks after publishing my first album, I lost the best four-legged friend I have ever known, Titan Kitty. To this day I wonder if this pain will ever subside. My routine vanished with his last breath. Everything changed and will never be the same, and my cats certainly shared my pain on top of their own.
Four weeks after losing Titan, Sereno was diagnosed with advanced kidney disease. Within two days, we had to deliver him to the Rainbow Bridge. It broke my heart even more than I thought possible. He was so attentive after Titan passed and never showed signs of illness. It was so quick and unexpected.
It was at least six weeks past Christmas before I even turned my keyboards on. I just sat there for a couple more weeks unable to tap into any one particular emotion raging within me. I missed Titan sitting on the back of my chair as I composed. I missed Sereno’s sweet disposition and loving head bumps and soft chatter. After Sereno’s death, I would sit with a constant flux of alternating kitties taking turns sitting on the back of my chair vying to be the new head of the studio.
Before I knew it, the emotions within me resulted in the songs “Dreamcatcher,” “Blessed Home,” “Missing You” and “Deliverance (Crossing the Rainbow Bridge).” This was the beginning of a long healing process.
I received several copies of the poem “The Rainbow Bridge,” but again those are words with a “one message fits all” expression. It was then that I decided to place “Deliverance (Crossing the Rainbow Bridge)” on the next album in Titan Kitty and Sereno Whiskerdo’s memory. Subsequently I decided to release it as a single as well and offer it to the Richmond SPCA. All proceeds from the single release will go to the Richmond SPCA and the many beautiful souls they care for until they find their forever homes.
Why did you choose the Richmond SPCA as the recipient of “Deliverance (Crossing the Rainbow Bridge)”?
I can’t imagine my life without Titan and Sereno. I can only hope that my contribution will provide the opportunity for unconditional love between other humans and their companions.
The Richmond SPCA has a tremendous impact on our community and therefore, myself. From the spay and neuter programs, sheltering of abandoned animals, the affordable health care for low-income household pets and animal welfare causes, to the placement of pets in forever homes, it’s hard to define the impact they have had on me. I am very proud of the Richmond SPCA and all of the volunteers and staff that work so hard to provide each future companion with love, care and safe placement. I am also proud of our communities’ officials, citizens, businesses and the media for their continued support of such an outstanding success the Richmond SPCA continues to achieve.
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To purchase “Deliverance (Crossing the Rainbow Bridge)” please visit https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/euphonicproject6. All of proceeds of the song will support the Richmond SPCA’s lifesaving programs.
About William Johnson
This William Johnson's first year as a composer and Indie Artist. He has released several albums including “Dreamcatcher,” which has been discussed in this interview. He currently resides in Richmond, Virginia and releases music on his website, The Euphonic Project. To learn more about William Johnson’s music, and other platforms this song is available on, please visit his website at www.euphonicproject.com.
Williams' heart felt testimony sends a strong message that there ARE ANGELS in this world....quite a few of them just happen to have four legs!
We all need to reach out and do our part to support this vital resource of compassion, support and unconditional LOVE! Let us show the "angels" our gratitude for them being a part of our lives.
Posted by: PR Lau | December 20, 2017 at 02:38 AM
OH....I should have put it in my last comment: "Although no other soul could replace Titan Kitty's beautiful soul and temperament nor Serenos' gentleness and radiance of unconditional love, I am now, as well as William, the PROUD FATHERS of Yin and Yang! They have come into our hearts and souls to help ease the pain and filled our home with joy.
They sensed our love and commitment to them and have settled into their permanent home so beautifully....they are wonderful additions to our home. It's an omen that their names reflect a force of balance, as their arrival to us has brought peace and equilibrium to us!
Posted by: PR Lau | December 20, 2017 at 02:59 AM