“Tommy’s First Pair of Skates”
May 25, 2011 by Dennis Chighisola
Oh, boy, do I have a story to tell. But, let me do that after you’ve had a chance to see the video and hear this special song…
Please DO share this page with anyone you think would enjoy the video (especially hockey moms and hockey dads?).
And please DO add your Comments below in the provided box.
If you’d like to immediately download the song, “Tommy’s First Pair of Skates” (minus all the crazy sound effects), just CLICK HERE — in the event you’d like to play it lots of times yourself, or if you’d like to give it as a gift to someone special.
Okay, as long-time CoachChic.com members may have gathered, I’m breaking a little with tradition here — because *Gifts are normally reserved for you only. In fact, if you don’t mind, I’m going to keep this one available to the entire hockey world, mainly because I believe it deserves that kind of attention.
I’m hoping this makes sense to you, because my dream is to give this song a chance to become a hockey standard.
Of course, I couldn’t ever do something like that alone. So I’m hoping you’ll help, and possibly share this page with anyone you know in our game. (Come to think of it, you might have the chance to be a part of hockey history here, being one of the very first to hear John’s song, and also being a part of spreading the word. Actually, you can even go on record as one of the very first ever, just by leaving a Comment below.)
As always, thanks in advance for all your help!
– Dennis Chighisola
As for the Story Behind the Story…
Several years ago my youngest brother sent me a collection of songs he’d written, composed and sung for me to use as background music in some of my videos. Those who have seen the video featuring me and Chomper (the NEHI mascot) have heard my brother on that soundtrack, and you probably also know that he’s a real pro — using the stage name John Stevens, and entertaining regularly on cruise ships and around Orlando, Florida, at Universal Studios and sometimes at Disney World.
Anyway, the CD John sent me sat for a week or so before I had a chance to browse it for a video I was planning. So, there I tinkered in my office studio, all alone at about 2 o’clock in the morning, as the third song started to play.
Gulp… Almost immediately I got a lump in my throat and my eyes began to water. Ya, it was — it is — THAT kind of song.
It didn’t take long for me to know what I wanted to do with something so special. However, it has taken me forever (like almost three years) to gather the right video footage and photos, and to envision exactly how things should go together. And it’s even taken me about the past month to work with all the assembled resources in hopes of releasing something hockey folks will truly enjoy.
As far as your enjoying it goes, well… That’s for you to decide, and perhaps tell me about. I know several hockey moms have already written to let me know they cried hearing that song.  So, if you might use the box below, I’d love to hear you impressions, or even how my brother’s story relates to your own.  Again, I’d really, really appreciate hearing from you.
That’s a really great song. Thanks for putting that on your site!
Thanks, Craig, and I’ll be sure to pass that on to my brother.
Jamie got his first pair at 4. The ones I really remember are Joey’s. He was just 3. We went to Hockey Services in Kalamazoo and Steve Banonis (who played at Ferris State) fitted him while we talked about his new baby (I had dated one of Steve’s teammates from Ferris and the Kalamazoo Wings so we were old friends). Steve was so excited to be a new daddy. Two weeks later he was killed in a freak car accident. I still have those skates and they will go to my first grandchild along with the story of the sweet man I got them from. That was 16 years ago…..I still miss him. The song made me think of him. Thank you and thank your brother for me too. http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/sports/hall/2000/banonis/
Wow, Teri, that story makes me want to cry too! My brother is supposed to be on his way back to MA to visit for a few days, and I can’t wait to tell him or show him these kinds of responses. Actually, he hasn’t even seen the video yet. Thanks a bunch! You’re a doll.
Great song Coach.
Tell your bro, great job.
Nothing will give me more pleasure than to relay that kind of comment to my brother, Robi. Thanks so much, from both of us!
Great job on the video, and please tell your brother that his song definitely touches hearts. Kudos to you both.
You are yet another doll, RuthAnn, with such kind sentiments. I can’t wait until my bother sees the awesome comments here. Thanks so much!
Well, i started to smile from the very beginning. Then I started to get nervous because it was so heartwarming and meaningful, I figured it was going to end up being some sort of requiem or something, and then I would have had to smack you!!!
Get Keith Urban to sing this and it will hit #1 on the country charts. It’s wonderful. Like a hallmark card for any hockey parent and anyone who loves the sport.
Great job!!!
Wow, the saddest part for me is how fast everything is going….it seems like yesterday..when in fact over a decade…and it doesn’t appear to be slowing. The song just suspends a moment in time, to reflect, especially as two of my babies just took off down the road, driving to pick up an NHL playstation game and they don’t even need me for that anymore….but they will need me to continue to cheer in the stands…however long I’m blessed to keep watching!! Thanks, Coach…this was awesome!!
I heard the song and then told my mom to listen to it. she was looking at me and started crying. Listened a few more times and then bought it. Mom said it captured me growing up in hockey. Thank you for sharing it with us. Get it on iTunes!!!!
I thought I was listening to Bill Anderson for a minute there! What a great song, and the video just adds a beautiful visual!! Tommy is a lucky boy to have his own hockey song. Well done.
Simply put…great video…great song! it reminds us all of simpler times and quality of life we too often forget. all the best, Joe
And, for those who wonder about what Joe is referring to…
For years, we three Chighisola Brothers would gather at family functions — guitars in hand, and entertain the whole clan — not that everyone else wouldn’t sing right long. (Ya, even I was a — pretty lousy — singer/guitar picker, and I’ll have to post a photo of that someday.)
Thanks for that, Joe, and thanks for reminding me of some really, really nice times.
Dennis, I loved what I saw on youtube but for some reason I can’t view the video on here. I am checking to see if it is something on my end but wanted to let you know. Love your stuff though!
Amanda, thank you for such kind words, and also for letting me know your difficulties in seeing the video. Anyone who passes through here ought to know that I’ll check anything they have a problem with (as I’m doing for you right now). Thanks again, and I hope you ARE able to see the video shortly.
Hi Coach Chic
Love the video- brought tears to my eyes!
David showed me on Facebook and of course Jake saw it too. Beautiful song so elegantly sung by your brother. The time truly does go by too quickly but the memories are everlasting. I would love a copy of the DVD when you get a chance. (My email is in this post.)
Thanks again – I know it must have been a lot of hard work but it was time well spent.
p.s. The release of this video was perfect – just after the Bruins won the cup and our return from the victory parade!
Thanks again!
Suzanne
Thanks so much, Suzanne. And, while that may have been a lot of hard work to put together, my brother’s song and your help really made it possible! As for the Bruins, their Stanley Cup win, and all the celebrations, that surely was a great coincidence in timing. (FYI… A little later in the week I hope to create a package for you guys, so you’ll have some keepsakes. If that video or song ever does go viral, Jake will have something neat to show his own family and friends someday.)