I received the following e-mail from a very nice man about a song he wrote inspired by situations in his life. You can feel the emotion put in it. Hopefully I will soon have an MP3 link so we can hear how this sounds.

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My name is John McIntosh and I'm a singer-songwriter from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I've written a song, called 'A Real Man' that has been inspired by domestic violence that I have seen and been part of over my lifetime. I grew up in an emotionally challenging battleground, and I was in the middle of another terror inspiring situation where I was the boyfriend of a woman being stalked by her ex. I remember constantly wondering where he was, what corner he might be around, and thinking he was one step away from killing her and me. The situation did become violent, he was charged with assault on me. This experience made a lasting psychic imprint on my emotional state. I know my experience can't compare what happened to someone like Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, but I can identify with the intense psychological terror that victims go through which is imprisoning in itself. That terror is dehabilitating, and that is shared by anyone in these situations. The song I've written is about a man who treats a woman with no respect, and spins positively to show what a real man can be about. Here are the lyrics:

A Real Man

I saw it all happen
from across the road
It'd been happening for over a year
With her black eyes sunken,
and her soul so blue
He'd taken her apart with fear

He hurts the one he loves when
he's the one in pain
He's out drinking all night,
no knows where he's been
He lies to the others,
and puts himself high on the shelf
Man if you're so great do it yourself...

...be a real man
be a real man

Because anyone can do the terrible things
Anyone can do that...

Be a real man
Be a real man, understand
Be a real man,
Be a real man, understand....

You've gotta help a small child back to her feet
You've gotta give the soft advice after a crushing defeat
You've gotta make love as hot as the midday sun
You've gotta be willing and able to embrace everyone....

Now that's a real man
That's a real man, understand
That's a real man
That's a real man, understand

You've gotta know when she's reeling from a miserable day
And then say all the right things to make it wash away
Kiss her soft and sweet, sexy and right
Make her melt, be her shining light

Now that's a real man
That's a real man, understand
That's a real man
That's a real man, understand


Beautiful lyrics? Now that you have read the lyrics, listen to the MP3 that John so graciously sent to me. His voice is amazing and the music is just wonderful!
Click hereto download the song.

Here is a press release that will tell you a little bit more about John:

John is a prolific singer-songwriter coming onto the Hamilton scene. He has been cutting his teeth and moving light speed. John headlined his own show at the Staircase Theatre early this year, accompanied by Dan Walsh, lap steel player with Fred J. Eaglesmith and the Flying Squirrels. In March, John played solo at Hamilton Place as part of the opening showcase for the Ray Lyell Band’s homecoming concert and cd release for Lyell’s new album ‘Running on Faith’. Lyell has been an important influence on John’s performing, recording and songwriting growth.

Expect a high-energy attack counter-balanced by heartfelt and spiritual ballads. ‘Click on You’ cranks it up, satirizing pop culture at a rapid pace, taking internet dating to the next level. ‘Real Man’ turns it down- weaving a tale of male cowardice in telling the story of a woman abused. This song has been officially recognized by the Voice of Women website www.bellaonline.com. Look for a feature on john and an mp3 of the song there very soon in the domestic violence section.

John has been busy recording his first cd over the past few months, in his home studio and with Lyell at his studios in Stoney Creek. It should be ready in the New Year. He credits good friend Jocelyne Lanois, bass player and vocalist with the former Crash Vegas and also with a newly re-formed Martha and the Muffins in refining his edge. "Jocelyne helped me reel in my aggressiveness when necessary. She’s helped me to find a softer, sexier place with my guitar and vocals." Joceylne lends backup vocal to the summertime fun in John’s track ‘Everything’s Gonna Be All Right’. Staircase veteran Robin Lee will be lending his subtle Chet Atkins style ambience to John’s low end and cranking it up when it’s time to rock out.

Come over to the forums to talk about this song and leave a message for John!