Joliet teacher’s tune adds funds to ‘Angel’ home
By Denise Baran-Unland For The Herald-News March 30, 2011 8:56AM
Updated: September 24, 2012 6:25AM
Two years ago, Richard Anthony Goberville of Joliet decided to foster a child. The intention was for Nick, then 6, to be reunited with his family. It was Goberville’s first parenting experience.
Friends and family could not understand how Goberville could care for a child and then give him back up. Goberville felt the goal was worth the pain that might occur. So he wrote and recorded a song, “Even If,” about the fostering experience. He is donating all proceeds to Guardian Angel Home of Joliet. So far, Goberville has raised $300.
“My thought was that no matter how hard it may be to watch Nick leave, the time we had together would remain forever, that I would always have him in my heart no matter what happens,” Goberville, a Joliet Central High School physics teacher, said. He hopes his song inspires other people to foster, too.
The early days were rocky. Nick was taking medication that was ineffective for his mood disorder. Goberville worked with a psychiatrist that supported Goberville’s goal to heal Nick through love and support and to discontinue that medication. Six months into the fostering relationship, Nick’s mother signed away her parental rights. Did Goberville wish to adopt Nick?
“Of course I said yes,” Goberville said. “I couldn’t imagine life without Nick. Some have said how great and charitable that was for me to adopt him, but at times I feel selfish because I feel as though Nick has given me more than I have given him. He is such a great kid and I love him more each day.
Until now, Goberville, whose musical sound resembles a cross between pop and folk, had only written songs to share with family and friends. This included a CD he recorded 10 years ago. “Even If” was different. Goberville felt he had to share the song’s message with others.
So Goberville searched for producers of positive music and decided to work with Victor Crowl in Canada. Crowl liked Goberville’s music so much he offered to record two nine-song CDs for the price of three songs. The first CD will be released at the end of April. The second will be ready in fall.
Goberville is accomplishing his goal of circulating “Even If.” Several radio stations in Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Kentucky have played his song. So has Internet radio Jango.com. The remaining songs on his CDs deal with love, being cheated on, loneliness and connection with others.
“I’ve had some people listen to some songs and say things like ‘that is exactly how I’ve been feeling,’ ” Goberville said. “To know that someone is touched by my music is a great feeling.”
“Even If” can be ordered from iTunes. Donations to Guardian Angel Home can be made through Goberville’s fundraising page at www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/richardanthony/guardian-angel-of-joliet. For more information about Goberville’s music, visit www.richardanthonymusic.com and www.reverbnation.com/richardanthony.
