How Music Can Bring Out The Medium In You

So is it a coincidence?

What do you think is the most commonly described incident when someone explains that their deceased loved one contacted them recently?

Almost always it was through some song that came on the radio at a certain time right?

A wedding song or a secret favorite that usually isn’t played that often on the FM band but somehow, just as one of us was having an awful day and in desperate need of a loved ones presence, there was that special tune.

If you’re reading this, I’m POSITIVE you experienced some version of this occurrence. I’m even more positive that there is someone in your life who was quick to dismiss it as coincidence which I never understood. If negative Nancy wasn’t even in the room, why is it more important for her to be right than someone to find a little uplift?

People suck… but anyway… There IS an argument to made that a well timed radio request is nothing more than a coincidence… if you believe in them. Chances are the same people who tell you that the B side of your favorite singers long forgotten solo album from 1982 getting some airplay is just a fluke are the same to say “Everything Happens For A Reason” when tragedy strikes and they feel they need to say SOMETHING to you.

The truth is, there is a great chance that everything DOES happen for a reason and you, happening to be where you are needed to for that smile, for that connection is more than serendipitous. It’s your mediumship kicking in. The only time I’d ever doubt you telling me a story like this is if we were back in 1999 and your deceased loved ones favorite bands were Creed and Nickleback.

When I began writing this book, I asked some of my clients and students I built long standing relationships with, to share some of their stories.

Nic from Centereach was a client who was having a tough time processing her Grandmothers passing.

After a few close calls and two, TWO rounds of last rites bestowed on this tough old woman, Nic started to believe the moment would never come, until it finally, inevitably did. Though the wake and funeral were more of a celebration of this illustrious woman’s life, the days and weeks immediately after the ceremony opened up emotions that weren’t yet prepared for.

The sudden break in the routine of weekend visits and missing phone calls to vent over the pitiful performance Nic’s Grandmas least favorite Dancing With The Stars Contestant seemed to fill the days with a somber aura. No matter how realistic Nic was being over the end of a 92 year old woman’s life, the loss weighed heavy on her heart and the absence of her grandmother felt more like a vacuum in her orbit. Nic’s Grandma was a seasoned veteran of life who’s name happened to be Jean. She was weighing on Nic’s mind, more so than usual on this particular night and after a long day of work managing a retail outlet, initial emotions were chalked up to symptoms of exhaustion… until Nic realized she was sitting at every red light her 25 minute commute had to offer and the usually crystal clear radio reception she got from her favorite station was converting to the type of static that forces you to switch frequencies.

With not much thought Nic quickly found the first clear signal that wouldn’t rattle her already frazzled nerves ever further from the grips of sanity and thought little about it after… until she realized what Elton John was saying to her from the dashboard. Little Jeanie was certainly popular for its time in 1980 but as far as holding weight on a radio program directors consciouses in 2025, is highly doubtful.

This was one of those “deep cuts” that just HAPPENED to be playing when a grieving Granddaughter needed it most. Okay, Okay fine maybe it was just a coincidence. As the last traces of the lost classic from Sir Eltons fourteenth studio album drifted from the airwaves, Nic swears she shouted through teary eyes “YOUR NUMBER ONE MISSES YOU GRANDMA” Being the first of almost 20 grandchildren, Nic carried the prestigious nickname of “Number One’ with her for much of her 43 years whether the other 18 grandchildren cared much for it or not. Every Birthday Card envelope, every Christmas present were always hand written personally by Jean “To My Number One”

So imagine Nic’s surprise when the following song was Blondies Cover of the 1967 Paragons jam The Tide Is High. At first it seemed like just a cool reggae tinged semi ballad to relieve some of the seriousness of the current vibe… until lead singer Debbie Harry reminded Nic of what we just talked about. There are no coincidences. As the chorus blared through her mid sized SUV, Nic started screaming along with conviction as the line “Im gonna be your NUMBER ONE” repeated multiple times through the 4 minutes and 56 seconds of the party tunes duration. So you may still chalk that up to coincidence but lets look more at Nic’s actions than Jeans. It was at a random intersection, months after her Grandmothers passing, that Jean’s image vividly stood out in her first Grandkids mind.

It was at THAT moment that Nic noticed the increasing static of her usually solid radio signal. It was almost a mindless action to make the switch to a much less popular oldies signal that somehow came through strong enough to give up the channel surf battle immediately. Soon enough a song bearing her Grandmothers name popped on, followed by one containing her long bestowed nickname in the chorus.

Without realizing it, it was NIC allowing her Grandmother to come through to her after a grueling full day on her feet. That moment when the daily reminders of life faded just enough for Nic’s mind to recoup some sanity, was the moment the rigid structures of what they taught us as kids loosened enough to allow some magic through. Nic can do this more often and she doesn’t need 12 hours of Karens returning the 400 extra handbags they purchased “just in case” to trigger her ability to connect with her beloved Grandmother on the other side. She can connect when her heart calls for it and YOU can too.

I’m not sure why you would want to talk to Nic’s Grandma Jean, or mine but I’m sure there are many you would like to receive a message from and you CAN. Chances are you might have already and weren’t paying attention. They are ALWAYS talking to us but now that I might have gotten you to believe, you’re ready to hear them