Help a Dream Take Flight

From Struggles to Songs — A Journey Fueled by Hope and Heart

Hi, my name is Lee "Cat" Merto, and I’m someone with a heart full of songs and a lifetime of stories.

Some of my earliest lyrics were scribbled on napkins in diners, scratched into receipts on break time, or jotted into the margins of old phone books. I wrote when no one was looking — not for applause, but because the words wouldn’t stop coming. Music helped me survive life’s storms. And now, I’m finally ready to share those songs with the world.

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Why I'm Asking for Help

I’m 63 years old, and while some people are thinking about slowing down, I’m just now chasing the dream I’ve carried quietly for years. I’m not after fame — I’m after purpose. I want to create something that lasts — songs that bring comfort, truth, and connection to others.

The good news? A music company in Nashville has already stepped up and offered to help me bring these songs to life in a real studio — with real musicians, vocalists, and professional production. This opportunity is no longer just a dream; it’s right in front of me. But I need your help to take the next step.

️ Where Your Support Will Go

Your donation will help cover:

Studio time to record my original songs

Session musicians and harmony vocalists

Professional mixing and mastering

Copyrighting and registering my lyrics

Submissions to contests, publishers, and music outlets

Distribution and promotion to share the music widely

Why I’ve Set the Goal

GoFundMe doesn’t charge for using their platform, but they do deduct a small fee from each donation (about 2.9% + 30 cents per gift). That means if someone donates $50, about $48 goes directly into the campaign.

To make sure everything is covered — from studio sessions to submissions — I’ve set the goal to $3,000. That gets me in the door and puts these songs in the hands of professionals who can help them soar.

A Personal Promise

Years ago, I wrote a simple line to myself:

“Be worthy of your dreams.”

That line stayed with me through heartbreak, silence, and struggle. And now, I’m living by it. I’m not asking for a handout — I’m asking for a chance. A chance to finally honor this dream with everything I’ve got.

How You Can Help

If you’ve ever been moved by a song...

If you believe it's never too late to begin again...

If you want to help bring something honest and lasting into the world...

Please consider donating — even $5 makes a difference.

And if you can’t give today, sharing this with others helps more than you know.

❤️ Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you for caring. And thank you — truly — for believing in the quiet artists, the late bloomers, and the power of music to heal and connect.

I hope one day soon, you’ll hear one of these songs — in a film, on a stage, or on the radio — and know that you helped make it happen.

With gratitude and rhythm,

Lee "Cat" Merto

“Be worthy of your dreams.”