Album Notes

BIO:
Mike McLaughlin studied piano and guitar from the age of 8. In high school Mike took to the trumpet in order to be in the high school band. By senior year, Mike was first chair trumpet with many solo opportunities.

Mike attended West Chester State University and majored in Music Education. While at West Chester he participated in many bands and vocal choruses. He studied voice, keyboard, strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion.

After college, Mike married and began a life of a salesman. Although still very interested in music, the dream took a back seat to raising a family.

At mid-life, the love of performing music took hold once again. Now that the kids are grown, he is back at it with a vengeance writing his own material as well as performing cover tunes of today's country & yesterday's pop oldies. He has performed locally with Kurt Johnston, Debrann Tocce, & the Romano Sisters. Mike is currently active in the Eastern PA chapter (www.epansai.com) of NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) as webmaster, and as a moderator at www.thesongwritersforum.com.

STORY:
The inspiration for "Stepfather of the Bride" came from a conversation between Mike and his stepdaughter while planning her wedding. The chorus was conceived when Mike asked what was the role of step dad in the wedding besides financially. He said "if I can't walk you down the aisle, can I at least get a dance?" Then came the search for a suitable stepfather/stepdaughter song to accompany their dance. The best we could come up with was Brad Paisley's, "He Didn't Have To Be". Beautiful song, but is sung from the stepson's point of view. He hopes that he could be half the Dad that his stepfather didn't have to be.

Mike sat down and wrote his own song for this special occasion. Mike recorded the song and his stepdaughter knew, but did not hear the song until her special day during the stepfather/stepdaughter dance. On the day of her wedding it was a big hit with his stepdaughter as well as the invited guests. Just 2 days later Mike performed the song live to a 4th of July crowd of about 500. Several DJs asked for copies to play at weddings and he could see that it touched a majority of the people. In this day and age of blended families, his song may become a standard at weddings of blended families.

PLEASE NOTE THAT LYRICS HAVE CHANGED SLIGHTLY FROM THE SOUND BYTE PROVIDED. THE CD CONTAINS THE LYRICS BELOW.
Please feel free to contact me at mike@mjmmusicgroup.com if you would like to personalize the song!

LYRICS:
Title: Stepfather of the Bride (for Erin)
Words & Music By: Michael J. McLaughlin
copyright 2005 MJM * MIKEMCL@USA.NET


VERSE 1
I remember when I met you; you looked like you could be mine
With your blue eyes and freckles; maybe it was a sign.
I fell in love with your mama and you came along for the ride.
Now you're getting married, I'm the stepfather of the bride.

VERSE 2
I couldn't replace your daddy, and I wouldn't want to try
The one who you relied on all the way to junior high
He was your mamma's man when he gave you life, he should be at your side
It isn't always easy for the stepfather of the bride

CHORUS:
I was there as you grew, but can't walk you down the aisle
After all we've been through, Can I dance with you for a while?
Tomorrow I'm gonna miss you; but today I'm filled with pride
Smiling ear to ear, I'm the stepfather of the bride

VERSE 3
There were many times we argued, not seeing eye to eye
I tried to raise you up right, sometimes I made you cry.
But you touched my heart so many times that now I must confide
I love you like a daughter; I'm the stepfather of the bride.

REPEAT CHORUS