Daddy Come Back

Fathers are an endangered species. If you are a father who does not see his children on a regular basis for whatever reason, look to the National Parents Organization. (Formerly Fathers and Families.)https://www.nationalparentsorganization.org/

Or read Alec Baldwin's book on Parental Alienation Syndrome, A Promise to Ourselves: A Journey Through Fatherhood and Divorce
 http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Ourselves-Journey-Through-Fatherhood/dp/0312363362

Here's a song I recently wrote for all fathers who are committed to being there for their children against impossible odds. (This is the theme song to my solo play Prodigal Dad, Part Three in The Mormon Boy Trilogy.)

"Daddy Come Back"
Words and music by Steven Fales
(c) 2013 by Steven Fales

Mamma said daddy was bad.
Mamma said daddy was wrong.
Mamma said daddy left us
And that was just the end of the song.
If mamma was always right
How could I ever doubt?
But there's a voice inside me
That won't stop crying out:

Daddy come back
Into my life
Daddy I'm here
And I don't want to fight.
You are the dad I always had
And I always knew that you
Weren't half that bad.
I always knew you'd pull through
And that you're sorry, too.
You are my daddy
And I choose you.

Prodigal kids are all in the news,
Single mommies and housewives, too.
But I know it's not all that it seems to be
Churches and courtrooms don't always see
That I need you as much as you need me
You are my daddy--please choose me.

Do you remember when I was three?
I have a picture of you playin' with me.
There were all those times when you came to school.
You reached out a lot even when mamma was cool.
Well, I've grown up now, dad,
And I'm no one's fool.
I'm standing here--we're off scot free.
You are my daddy--come to me!

Daddy come back
Into my life
Daddy I'm here
And I don't want to fight.
You are the dad I always had
And I always knew that you
Weren't half that bad.
I always knew you'd pull through
And that you're sorry, too.
You are my daddy
And I choose you.

I have a kid. He looks just like you.
I'm sure if you met him you'd be a big fan, too.
I can imagine now how you loved me so.
Life ain't easy so I, I want you to know . . .
I forgive you dad. Because I love you . . .

God and Time
Have a way.
If you don't believe me
Then how can I say--

I'm comin' back
Into their life.
I'm standin' here and
I'm done with the strife.
I am the dad they always had.
And I now I see that we
Aren't half that bad.
I always knew we'd pull through
I am your daddy--and my heart's true.
Just a bruise or two.
But we're good as new.
I'm never leavin' you!

AIDS at 32: For Whom the Bell Tolls (32 Notables Share Their Stories)

AIDS at 32: For Whom the Bell Tolls (32 Notables Share Their Stories)

Here's a recent article I'm honored to be a part of. From Judith Light to Lady Bunny to Greg Louganis we are 32 "notables" chosen by my friend Kergan Edwards-Stout for his article marking the anniversary of AIDS at 32. I have so much more to share on this topic. This theme is covered in "Prodigal Dad", Part Three in The Mormon Boy Trilogy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kergan-edwardsstout/aids-at-32-for-whom-the-bell-tolls-32-notables-share-their-stories_b_3363578.html#slide=2514761

Steven Fales

I never wanted to become positive and tried to avoid it. My father-in-law died of AIDS in 1984. I had a sister-in-law who was positive and who has since died. But a crystal meth binge got me one night. Thank goodness the meds today make it possible to one day see my grandchildren and to be undetectable for the right guy. We're learning

My Liberace/My Menorah

Let me tell you about my personal "Behind the Candelabra." I grew up a faithful Mormon in Las Vegas. When my parents got divorced the shame made me act out--as Liberace. I found these photos of me impersonating the Legend and I had to chuckle. A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when taken in a Mormon meeting house--or ward house. Oh the memories of seminary, volley ball, and all these Las Vegas Mormon. We are a different breed of Mormon for sure.

Here's an excerpt from my book about the experience.

"And for anyone who's still not convinced [I'm gay], I'm famous for the Liberace impersonation I did at a church talent show when I was seventeen. I came out from the wings holding a candelabra, wearing my high school madrigal prince charming costume (I designed it myself, sewed on all the pearls by hand). I had on tights and my mom's full-length chinchilla [actually it was her silver fox]. I played 'Rustles of Spring' [and Claire de Lune!], then swapped "funeral potato" recipes with the Relief Society sisters on the front row. 'Not too much sour cream, Sister Edwards!"

Buy the book on Amazon, Confessions of a Mormon Boy: Behind the Scenes of the Off-Broadway Hit (Lambda Literary Award Finalist): http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Mormon-Boy-Behind-off-Broadway/dp/B007MXO1H6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370915352&sr=8-1&keywords=Confessions+of+a+Mormon+Boy+Book

I must say that the candelabra was actually a menorah. My mom's side of the family went to Israel once a year like all good upper-middle class nouveau riche Mormons to loot the Holy Land of all its olive wood figurines and anything made of brass. [Mom's side of the family is now broke! Now just Mormon White Trash with Champagne Taste on a Beer Income.] I grew up in what could have been a Jewish book store on the Upper West Side. I am NOT kidding. It just goes to show that Mormons are wannabe Jews. And so I grabbed the closest "candelabra" I could find for my skit. I hope it's not offensive or disrespectul. I was totally oblivious to what was going on including the irony of playing Liberace.

Later I would live part of Liberace's ex-lover's experiences. Minus the plastic surgery, but enter recovery!

Keep playing the piano and singing no matter what culture you come from! And light a candle for all of us!