About the CD… Horizon is the debut recording from Neil Patton. A mixture of piano pop, prog rock, and folk ballads, Horizon takes the listener on many different journeys. The lyrics express both the joys and sorrows of living in this world and longing for the next. Many of the songs on Horizon came from Neil’s need to deal with the death of a musical and spiritual mentor. When others heard the songs that came out of this period, they encouraged Neil to release them to a wider audience. This, combined with the financial help of an investor, started the process that resulted in this CD. Countless people have been encouraged by the songs collected here, while others have simply enjoyed the music for its own sake. From Neil: “I am still proud of this CD, even 9 years after its release. The songs stand up well, and I still love to play them. The lyrics still move those who hear them, and still remind me of truths that I easily forget. The musicians who joined me to make this possible gave their all to make these performances as passionate as possible.” About the Artist… Neil Patton is a pianist/keyboardist/songwriter who combines the artistry of classical and jazz music with the immediate gratification of rock. Influenced by such varying artists as Elton John, Keith Green, Alan Parsons, Peter Gabriel, Kansas. Steve Morse, the Dixie Dregs, Sarah McLachlan, Ellis Paul and 80’s-era Genesis and Yes, Neil’s sound is ever widening in its scope. Though Neil began formal piano training at the tender age of five, his passion for the instrument erupted in Middle School when he discovered a songbook for his favorite band at the time. His teacher grabbed the opportunity and showed how the rock tunes used the same harmonic theory as Bach and Mozart. From then on, music became an obsession, leading to a music degree in college. Neil later figured out that while he loved music, he hated suitcases, so a career on the road as a “rock star” was out of the question. After becoming the worship arts pastor at his church, Neil began teaching piano privately. However, he has never stopped writing. Releasing a solo CD of original songs in 1998 (Horizon) only whetted his appetite. After taking some time off to start a family, Neil has returned to the studio. Producing CD’s for other local artists has laid the groundwork for Impromptu (a collection of original solo piano works). More original projects are in process already, covering various styles that could reach a very wide audience.