Song recommendations for sister

Hey, my sister was addicted to drugs. She underwent a drug addiction treatment ( http://edgewoodhealthnetwork.com/locations/edgewood/ ) from Edgewood and is recovering really fast. She will start going to job from next month and is sitting simply at the house. She listens to music in her free time. She dislikes pop-music and is very fond of melody songs. Can anyone of you suggest some music that is suitable for her? The song should make her positive and energetic. Thanks in advance.

BSloniger's picture

Hi Keith;
I'm a recovering addict and alcoholic, in addtion to being a music minister, rock guitarist, husband, father, grandfather, elder..software consultant..etc. Not necessarily in that order, but addict and drunk must always be first. Today is day 10, 929. That will be 30 years Memorial Day weekend, by the grace or God and the spirit from my Lord and Savior Jesus! One Day At A Time.

In contemporary worship, I love artists like Casting Crowns, Rend Collective, Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin *Liking Chris is like saying I like the Beatles*, Keith & Kristen Getty, Matt Maher, Hillsong, etc. I listen to Sirrius XM "The Message" channel 63 and The national FM Christian Radio station called K-Love (http://www.klove.com/music/radio-stations/)

In secular rock music, there are many many artists in recovery. The Stevie Ray Vaughn CD "In Step" is entirely about recovery. Shortly before his death (a helicopter crash in the fog, Aug 1990) a compilation CD with his brother Jimmy (Also in recovery) was released. One track in particular is called "Life By The Drop" written for Stevie Ray by Doyle Bramhall & others. Definately check that out.
I love U2. In particular the Joshua Tree. Songs like Where the Streets Have No Name and With Or Without You are my all time favorites. Also, One and With Or Without You. Switchfoot is a crossover Christian rock band lead by two brothers. Their songs, like 'Meant To Live' are positive and uplifting.
I look for that in general. Something positive. I can dive into things like Rage Against The Machine, Alice In Chains and Nine Inch Nails for a while, and that's all fun and good, but Anymore I gravitate more toward things like Train and Collective Soul. Members of those bands are clean & sober.

I have a rock band called "62 West". That name is a play on words about "Rule 62". If you don't know what Rule 62 is, then you need to find out!! :-)
5 of the 6 members of the band are in recovery. 4 of us have more than 10 years clean & sober. My partner in the band, Adam, writes a lot of positive recovery related songs that we perform. See http://www.62westband.com

In conclusion (I could write all morning here, because you are literally asking about my two biggest loves - music and recovery) I want to make a personal plea to you for participation in a 12-step fellowship. I know it's very trendy today to dismiss programs like AA & NA as being old fashioned and too focused on God. Don't beleive that until you have given the Steps a fair chance. Only an addict understands an addict. I'm sure there are lots of folks around you that love you and will do almost anything the help you stay clean. This plea is perfect example of that. But, the difference between the requests (demands?) of those that love you and the recovery fellowship is simply this:
My family, friends, counselors, law enforcement, employer, etc all wanted to tell me "What I SHOULD DO about my drinking and drug use". In NA & AA those folks "SHOWED me what THEY DID". That made a world of difference for me. Miracles occur daily. You can be one.

God Bless,
Bud Sloniger
bud.sloniger@gmail.com
facebook.com/bud.sloniger
facebook.com/rule62colorado