Curwyn heals his pain through music
AFTER the tragic death of his 4-yearold daughter, former Durbanite Curwyn Eaton found solace in writing a song of their time spent together and the impact she made on his life.
Eaton, 39, of Bromhof, in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, recently released his first single, Grateful, a tribute to his daughter Shiloh.
It has received airplay on 15 radio stations countrywide.
“I was inspired by the love, peace and entire experience of having my daughter. Words can barely describe the impact she had on my life. She had a comforting smile, which was like an assurance that everything would be okay. I feel like I lived with an angel and now have a guardian angel,” he said.
He added that Shiloh died two years ago due to health complications.
“She got sick when she was around six months old and developed meningitis. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and there were further complications.
“This meant a complete change in our lives. I consulted with doctors, specialists and there were needles and operations. It was the hardest experience of my life. I felt powerless against everything, but I tried my best to make life for her as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.”
Eaton, the former manager of the late local artist Mandoza, said he had become scarce in the industry for a year after her death.
“I was broken and just could not find my feet. It took about a year to get myself back on track and start repairing myself. However, I decided I would express my feelings through music. It was an experience of note and was one of the hardest songs to write because of all the memories and experiences I had to take myself back through. There were a lot of tears with the writing.”
Eaton added that the single took him a week to write.
“I had to use the first verse I wrote to get the production and melody done, and then took it from there to complete the song. Ernie Smith lent his talent on the guitar, Verd on backing vocals and NeilT on production.” He continued: “I hope the song can inspire others who have lost their loved ones. The song will also be used on initiatives for the Shiloh Talia Eaton Foundation, which supports the homes of abandoned children and children with cerebral palsy.”
Eaton, the chief executive of Eaton Inc record label, said he would release more songs in the future.
He added that the industry was not a quick fame and fortune scheme as many people may think.
“Many people approach me with the hopes of being a ‘superstar’ in a month or two, and it just does not work like that. It does have its beautiful and extravagant
Grateful. moments, but to be a star, you have to be prepared to work for it.”
His single, Grateful, is available on 150 online stores worldwide, including iTunes and Apple music.