THE "HELLO DADDY" STORY
As a father I wanted to pass along with you here the story   behind one of my songs titled, Hello Daddy. I think its a song that works anytime of the year (especially if you're a parent) but several of my friends have told me they also think of it as one of their favorite   fathers day songs.

My name is Patrick Newberry. I live in Tampa, Florida. I'm just a hardworking guy, parent of three, I run a small company and from time to time I write music in my personal time.

Late one Wednesday eve back in 2004, after feeding my children dinner , and while my wife was away at church for a few hours , I sat down at the piano for a few minutes of "quality" creative time. The children were in their bedrooms, each somewhere between playing with toys and getting ready for bed .

As I was really geting into my personal time on the piano, my youngest daughter Holly came out and asked me, with the most memorable little hug, "hello daddy, umm could you please come and say my prayers with me?"

Trust me, I died right then and there and... piano time, was officially over .

So we headed to her room and knelt down by the bed and said our bed-time prayers.

I tucked little Holly in and was about to get back to my "quality" alone time when that all to quiet voice said softly...daddy please don't go anywhere...couldn't you please stay daddy, for just a little bit longer?

I remember laying on the floor, holding their tiny hands or occasionally they would just want to hang on to one of my fingers. I think the point was we had to be touching in some way. Never the less, finally after enough chit chat or story telling they would soon slip off to the place of dreams and I could make my subtle leave.

As I recall it took a few minutes to get Holly to fall a sleep that night but before long she did and I knew that if I was going to have any more "quality" creative time, it would be with a very quite melody.

So here I am about to get back to the piano...I had several thoughts running through my head at the moment. My other daughter (who was 12 at the time) was slowly loosing that need to have dad tuck her into bed and was asking me in less and less to say her bed time prayers.

I couldn't help but think it wouldn't be long and my little Holly would soon stop asking this of me as well. Then before I know it, they will all three be headed out the front door, walking into their own lives as adults. My oldest daughter turned 18 this week, my son is 17 this year, so it's all moving into vivid view, even today more than ever.

So I sat down at the piano and about thirty-minutes later–I was of course wiping away the tears as I was writing down the verses and I finished writing this song. Today I share   it with you and I hope you like listening to what I titled, Hello Daddy.

I dedicate it to all the moms and dads out there who have ever knelt down next to their child's bed, to say that little bed time prayer that helps then fall to sleep.

Please let me me know if you enjoy it. You can find it on YouTube by clicking any of the links in this article. Once you are on my YouTube channel you will find it labeled as a Songs for Dads. It only requires  one click to share on facebook with all of the other parents that you know, who may also enjoy this song. Thanks for your help in sending it forward and also if you stop by YouTube be sure to leave a comment or two... I would love to read your family bedtime ritual as well.

Sincerely,

Patrick Newberry (Proud dad to 3 beautiful children, Kara, Michael & Holly)
Tampa, FL