The idea for the Yosemite album started over a campfire at Curry Village in Yosemite Valley in June 2004. My good friend, Captain Len Hamilton, Professor, U.S. Naval Academy, and I dropped off our sons at Boy Scout camp and sneaked off to Yosemite National Park for three days. Everyone at the campfire introduced their friend with a nickname. Len introduced me as Flash Fingers Fettis! He later suggested that I compose something like “Songs of Yosemite.”

I had always longed for a musical soundtrack to accompany the majestic beauty of this place. In the 1960’s, I used my sister Teri’s ballet LP record to accompany my uncle Al’s silent 8mm home movies of Yosemite. I followed Len’s advice and sought to compose these songs of Yosemite. We returned to Boy Scout camp, completed our duties there and he and his son returned to Annapolis. For the rest of the summer I worked intensely, bent over the Steinway upright in my studio, attempting to recapture the inspiration of those three days. Over a year later, I completed twelve pieces to create “Yosemite: The Soundtrack”. After 40 years I have recorded my own soundtrack and gave Teri back her ballet record.

A special thank you to my son, Peter, for his dedication to scouting and following the path to Eagle Scout. Without him, this trip to Yosemite would have never transpired. Thank you to my wife Mary Alice who greatly encouraged this project and pushed me toward its completion. Finally, a debt of gratitude to my parents, Peter and Patricia for allowing me to persuade them on a detour to Yosemite on a trip from Los Angeles to Berkeley 50 years ago. It was an unforgettable trip. God bless you.

Gazing at the majestic beauty of Half Dome... cruising down the Merced River on an inner-tube... standing under the dancing waters of Bridal Veil Falls... biking through the meadows of the valley floor and watching the changing colors at twilight... making a snowman with my family in the pure, serene winter... hiking to Vernal and Nevada Falls and May Lake... experiencing the ecstasy of Lake Tenaya and Tuolumne Meadows. Music rang through my head during these miraculous experiences. I felt as if I could just reach out and grab the music from the sky! With God as my guide He gave me the grace to transcribe His beauty into musical sounds. This is more than "my" music, it belongs to all who love and experience what could well be the greatest paradise on Earth. Yosemite is a treasure worthy of stewardship, love and care.

This music is dedicated to a true world hero, John Muir, a warrior who fought to the bitter end for his beliefs. He was most admired by President Theodore Roosevelt and spearheaded the preservation of pristine California wilderness. John knew every plant, tree, rock, bird and animal in Yosemite. It became his Cathedral. It is said that when he first discovered Yosemite, on foot, he let out a scream of ecstatic joy!