A New Album for a GREAT Cause
SEE THE MIRACLE
My name is Lorraine Hess, and I'm a Catholic singer, songwriter, and recording artist. http://www.lorrainehess.com
I have an exciting recording project of new, original, inspirational music in the works, but...
I NEED YOUR HELP.
I'm raising money to help with the recording expenses, which will make it possible for me to
DONATE ALL PROCEEDS from CD SALES TO the
LSUHMC Keith A. Collins MD Memorial Scholarship :
Recording expenses include:
Travel to/from Memphis (the location of the recording studio);
Recording studio fees (studio time, mixing, mastering);
Musician stipends who play on the album;
Graphic artist to design CD art; and
Reproduction of 1000 copies.
The name of the album is "See the Miracle" inspired by the late Dr. Keith Collins, his wife Jennifer, and their story of faith.
Based on my past experience (this is my 6th solo recording project), $9,500 is a conservative number to raise. If the expenses exceed the $9,500, I will pay that on my own. Should the expenses be less than $9,500, the excess amount will be donated to the LSUHMC Keith A. Collins MD Memorial Scholarship Fund.
WHO is Keith Collins, and why THIS memorial scholarship?
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” Jeremiah 1:5
Keith Collins was “set apart” by the Lord before he was born. The ninth child of a computer programmer and a homemaker, who were 52 and 43, respectively, when he was born, Keith appreciated the blessings of his life and shared his gifts from a young age. When his father died when he was 12, he set about to give himself opportunities that he could only imagine in his dreams. Keith graduated valedictorian of his high school and earned a full ride to Boston University where he graduated with honors in Biomedical Engineering. Upon graduating, he went to work because he did not feel he could afford to attend graduate school.
Five years later, with a wife and two kids, he put his trust in God’s providence and started medical school with the help of many student loans. By the time he finished his pediatric residency, he had five children; his sixth was born in 2006, less than a year after he started his own practice, Collins Pediatrics. By 2015, Dr. Collins had two office locations and more than 5000 patients. If you think about all of the parents and grandparents of those patients, you can see how far-reaching his pediatric ministry was.
Keith had a way of making every patient and every parent feel as they were the most important person in the world. He truly listened to his patients and was genuinely interested in their lives. His concern and affection for his patients was mutual, and his extended pediatric family was devastated to learn of his diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma, an inoperable, untreatable, incurable, and rare type of cancer in May of 2015. While many mountains moved during his illness, three months after his diagnosis, Dr. Collins passed away and his community, brought together in faith, hope, and prayer, mourned the tragic loss of a beautiful man.
Dr. Collins and his wife Jennifer trusted in the Lord’s grace throughout their years together, especially the seven years that Keith spent in medical school and residency. They lived on love and loans and robbed Peter to pay Paul more than a few times to provide for their family. 
In September of 2015, Dr. Collins’ medical school classmates established the LSUHSC Keith A Collins MD memorial scholarship. The Collins family and these classmates hope to fully endow this scholarship, so it will assist young medical students and lessen the financial burden of future doctors.
His legacy of medical professionalism balanced with humor, a tender heart, and an unapologetic faith inspired many. We pray that this scholarship will one day assist those who are “set apart” to heal and help the world as Dr. Collins did.
Jen and Keith and their six beautiful children, Caroline, Keith "Andrew," Julianne, Analiese, Christian and Kyle (2015).
I sang for Keith and Jennifer's wedding in 1993. I have known Jen since high school (St. Mary's Dominican, New Orleans). We sang together at school and in musicals at Jesuit High School. She and I now sing together at mass at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Metairie, LA.
During Keith's illness, we learned the value of living life to the fullest and how precious life is. Cars throughout the city of New Orleans were decorated with magnets that read, "Live Like Keith." I had never seen anything like it, and I doubt I ever will again.
Inspired by their faith and courage, I wrote a song, "See the Miracle" during his illness. Just recently, I decided to record it as a single with hopes of raising money for the scholarship; but, one sleepless night, I sensed God had bigger plans. After tossing and turning for three hours, I prayed (somewhat frustrated), and said, "God, if there's something you're trying to tell me, PLEASE reveal it so I can get some sleep!" Then a word from the Spirit... "Not just one song... a whole EP." Honestly, my response was, "OK, Lord, a whole album. I got it! I'll do it. Now can we talk about it tomorrow?!" That's the last thing I remember because I immediately fell asleep. (Why does it take me SO long to ask God to be direct with me?)
When I woke the next morning, I asked the Lord to help me find a producer, which God did. Kevin Paige in Memphis said he'd do it. Then I asked how I was going to pay for it. Gofundme came to me. God will provide, right? Then I asked for a song list. When I went to my spread sheet of songs not yet recorded (yes, I keep a spreadsheet. I'm a nerd. I know.), every song on the list had SOMETHING to do with Keith and Jen's story.
EVERY SONG...
So there is was. Within 12 hours, the entire project fell into place. I had a song list, a producer, permission from Jennifer, a cause, and a goal! Keith's 50th birthday would be this coming October, and the anniversary of his death is August 29th. Those 2 dates swim around in my head as I set a goal for completion.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Although all the CD sales will go to the scholarship, it will cost approximately $9,500 to record and produce it, which I need to raise by July 1st.
Donations of any amount are appreciated, but for
DONORS OF $500 or more:
1. I will add a memorial on the inside cover of the album (Limit 12). Simply add, "[your name] in memory of [your loved one's name]"
2. I will mail you a complimentary CD when it's complete (so include your address); and
3. Reserved seating at the release concert if you're able to attend.
I will be recording in June, and we hope to release the album in the Fall. Even if you are unable to contribute, please keep this project in your prayers!
Keith's funeral was standing room only, and New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond celebrated the mass. I had the honor of singing at the funeral, one of the most difficult I've ever done.
This album will honor Jen and Keith for the example they set for all of us in times of despair. Thousands helped carry the tremendous weight of their cross, and the sadness was immeasurable.
May this project bring a sense of peace to those who mourn; light to the those in darkness; and, a reminder of God's presence in all our trials.
THANK YOU for considering a contribution. Follow the journey of this project on my facebook page Lorraine Hess Music.
The cover song, "See the Miracle."
See the miracle in a sunrise.
See the miracle in the ordinary moments of life.
See the miracle in the beautiful Body of Christ.
When we pray, when we seek, we will find there is a miracle every day.
Live like Keith, and move mountains!
Love and peace,
Lorraine
