Michael-Hadary's video: John Lintner Tribute

I've just gotten word that a very good friend and music mentor of mine has passed away today, April 17, 2016. John Lintner was the very best this world had to offer. I met him while working at Gold's Gym in Clarendon, VA between my Junior and Senior years of college. EVERY SINGLE MORNING, John came in with a smile on his face and a good word. I was working the first shift, (5am-9am) so this was unusual. One day, on his way out of the gym, he stopped and took the time to tell me how much he appreciated my warmth and smile every morning he came into the gym. I thanked him and he introduced himself. He also asked what I did when I wasn't at Gold's and I told him I was an aspiring singer working on my music degree. John got a huge grin and asked if I could sing for him. I said that I couldn't at the gym, but he went on saying that he was the choir director and organist at Georgetown Presbyterian Church across the river. He said they had a semi-professional choir and they were looking for some men to fill out their bass and tenor sections. He couldn't make any promises, but he said he could audition me later this week. I went home and my mother told me that Georgetown Pres. was the church she and her family went to while she was growing up. I had no idea because we had always gone to Christ Church (an Episcopalian church I had been baptized in at about four years old). I was floored. I went and sang (face palm) Schubert's Ave Maria - in Latin, no less - and John hired me on the spot. I sang with John for several years and we both became very fond of each other. John drove me to and from the doctor after my nose was broken, attended West Side Story when I played Tony and even recorded a few tracks for my Musical Theatre recordings I made ten years ago. Through everything, he always had a smile on his face. I regret that I didn't stay in good contact with him. As many of you know, we've moved around quite a bit the past few years and my life has become very busy for many reasons both positive and negative. John reached out and I didn't get back to him. This was a mistake - one that I can't remedy. Oh, how I wish I could change this. Please, tell your loved ones how much they mean to you while you have the chance. I beg of you. Here is a track John and I worked on ten years ago. It's called The Mason Song from the musical WORKING and it's by Craig Carnelia. I think John was a Mason, of sorts, who built buildings out of love. Here are the lyrics: He builds a house With his hands Thirty years go by It stands It stands where nothing stood A house of stone The mason sleeps real good He does his work His workday flies And quittin' time's a big surprise And then it's one more stone To get just right It's always one more stone Before the night Every house he builds Every stone he lays It's not just makin' money And countin' off the days He builds a house With his hands A hundred years go by It stands It tells you who he was A life goes fast But the work a mason does It's made to last Oh, the work a mason does It's made to last Rest in peace, John. I'll keep smiling for you.