A Ray of Light – Hope, Power, and Energy
Life has a way of bringing us full circle back to our passions. Danny Budiski, a singer/songwriter has had a dream his entire life to be a star. He spent his younger years training his voice and playing in touring bands but never reached the pinnacle of his music goals.
It is not easy to make it in the music industry, and yet, there is something deep within a musician that never lets the music die. Danny has a drive and strong ambition to succeed, no matter the trials and tribulations that have held him back or the fact that he is now in the last chapter of his life. Through major medical crisis after another, Danny always kept his dreams alive! He is now pushing forward stronger, more motivated, and empowered to make it to the top of the mountain he has been climbing.
You can get a glimpse into Danny’s journey through this interview and by listening to his amazing voice that continues to beckon him to sing.
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Eileen: Take me from your beginnings in music through your days in bands and where you are today.
Danny: In general, I started to love singing at the age of 13-14 because of a singer I heard on the radio, Elvis Presley, and Tom Jones. At the age of 19-20, I started taking voice lessons from various teachers. At about age 23 I recorded 2 original songs with some young girlfriends, but it didn’t really work out. Around the age of 25.5, I joined a prestigious event band and for about 5 years I was one of the soloists. Around this time, I got a serious offer from the director of the Academy’s voice department who wanted me to prepare myself for entrance exams to the Academy. She said then that she hears the potential of an operatic tenor that she does not hear often. But different circumstances in life and different variables have led to this opportunity being missed. In the big leap decades ahead, I went through some life struggles, tried to do things alone, but it was always small and with all sorts of points in the way of despair and hope. Personal challenges put a hold on my music endeavors.
Between 2008-2020, I accompanied and treated my divine mother together with a therapist. She was diagnosed with vascular dementia, and it was and still is difficult because I have a love for her that cannot be described in words. Her transition and the life lost are painful, yet I have beautiful memories that I will cherish forever. In addition to this major life event, I had my own personal battle. Between the end of 2017 and mid-2020, I went through two rare and violent lymphoma cancers. Self-bone marrow, and a second time 10 months apart biological treatments. Despite my health issues, I was determined to keep going. In 2019 I sent samples of my singing to The Voice UK, they accepted my submission and offered me to go to the next stage of tryouts. Unfortunately, due to the cancer treatments, I was unable to continue, thereby missing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I am now 60 years old and burning in me is the interest of realizing dreams and reaching different goals. It is not easy in general and especially at such an age, but I am holding out hope that with the strength and by the grace of a greater power, my dreams will come true! I am taking steps to move beyond the obstacles, keeping an eye out for new doors opening and in spite of everything, I know there is a ray of light that will shine down on me.
Eileen: What inspires you to sing and the story behind your passion for music?
Danny: The passion is -the love to sing and the knowledge that I can do it in a very special way, and of course, the great inspiration is, the real voices of the great singers that I love and do things that are within this family of voices that I really like. My inspirations are Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, Andy Williams. I also enjoy a touch in the classic direction. I have an amazing inner feeling when I sing special materials, it is both inner happiness and the ability to make other people happy, smile, and feel special.
Eileen: What is your original song, “Crying for Love” about?
Danny: In 2013 I wanted to record a special and original song, and I turned to a guy who writes lyrics. I told him about a big crisis I had as a teenager and all sorts of things I went through, and about the subject of my divine mother’s condition with dementia, and everything it does to me emotionally and spiritually. He wrote lyrics to this song crying for love. My story gave him the inspiration for the lyrics he wrote, the melody, and arrangement. It took some time until this song was born, but it is truth at my core and a tribute to my divine mother.
Eileen: Who do you admire and why?
Danny: As I have already written, I admire artists with exciting, high and rare vocal abilities. These are also songs that I connect with and love to perform. A large part of them are artists from the 50s-60s-70s. In addition, I like special artists like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, The Beetles, and Shirley Bessie. I also love Tom Jones, Elvis Presley, some Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis. They inspire me to be my best and continue to sing, through all of life’s ups and downs.
Eileen: Any words of wisdom regarding never giving up and follow your dreams?
Danny: Do not give up and continue to fight for your dreams. It is not simple and especially in today’s world that has become more materialistic. Some people have an advantage because they have the resources and money for success. But that does not mean you cannot succeed. The desire to get things done and leave some mark is the power that creates. I went through too much, I hurt, I suffered, and still refuse to give up. On the other hand, of course, there is always some factor that can help in opening doors or entering the media or anything that can help in exposure, it is blessed. And I am not willing to give up, at the same time, an outstretched human warm hand is a blessed thing that can help all of us realize our special talent.
You can hear Danny’s amazing voice by going to his YouTube channel. Reach out at any time to learn more about him, his passion, and desires.
Crying For Love
I can’t recall
I can’t recall my youth
Was it wasn’t it
I can’t realize
This life is passing by
In the pale morning light
I can hardly breathe
I’m giving up the fight
Release
Me
My soul is crying for love
Demolished thoughts are fading away
A king with a paper crown
A clown, who never learned to pray
My heart can’t heal the wounds
Struggling for each breath every day
A Catherine’s wheel of life
Crushes down on me again
I can’t forget
Those shadey corridors
Was it Wasn’t it
I can’t recognize
Who’s staring at me
From a mirror
In the pale morning light
I can hardly breathe
I’m giving up the fight
Release
Me
My soul is crying for love
Demolished thoughts are fading away
A king with a paper crown
A clown, who never learned to pray
My heart can’t heal the wounds
struggling for every breath each day
A Catherine’s wheel of life
Crushes down on me again
Tired of lying
I feel like im dying
My soul is crying for love
Demolished thoughts are fading away
A king with a paper crown
A clown, who never learned to pray
My heart can’t heal the wounds
struggling for every breath each day
A Catherine’s wheel of life
Crushes down on me again
Crushes down on me again
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