A Red Deer singer/songwriter is selling copies of a song she wrote about a young longboarder who was recently killed in a highway collision to raise funds for a new skateboard park in his memory, planned for Springbrook.
The melody came to Corina Malley about a week before she could think of any lyrics to go with it. But as soon as Malley heard that her friend’s son, Trystan (Tito) Sorensen, was killed in a hit-and-run on May 20 while riding his longboard near Penhold, she said, “the words came pouring out.”
The result is a heartfelt song called My Little Boy that Malley wrote about Trystan’s close relationship with his mother, Amy Sorensen. She recently performed the tune at Trystan’s celebration of life ceremony.
Malley also recorded it in Red Deer with the help of local producer Carl Stretton, and said it will be available in two formats starting next week.
She is selling an MP3 version of the fundraising song for $20. It will also be available as a one-track CD with a cover signed by Malley for $25. Proceeds from both will go towards the skateboard park project
As a mother of three, Malley said she has great empathy for what Amy must be going through, to lose an 18-year-old son in such a tragic way.
Malley said she had known the Sorensen family for years and used to help drive Trystan, who was disabled, to various therapies when he was younger.
She likes the idea of having a skateboard park named in Trystan’s memory. Springbrook also needs such a facility to keep young skateboarders and longboarders from having to use rural highways — it’s a matter of safety, said Malley.
The Red Deer singer and pianist has had to surmount many personal challenges over the years.
Malley, who once weighed about 350 lbs, now weighs less than half of that, and has gained the self-confidence to perform in front of live audiences.
She has been a regular entertainer at various clubs around Red Deer.
Malley will next perform on Wednesday, June 11, at the International Beer Haus, and on Thursday, June 12, at Fratters Speakeasy, and her fundraising song can be purchased at both venues after her performances.
Anyone interested can also email Malley at cment@hotmail.ca or call her at 403-872-5974.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com