Boy, 11, wins award for song in memory of his brother
After hearing his friend’s dad play guitar two years ago, Logan Kellermann knew it was something he wanted to pursue.
Now, Logan, 11, has won a state PTA competition for the song “If I Saw My Brother’s Face,” which he wrote about his older brother. Matthew died in a car crash last year at the age of 18.
Logan is a fifth-grader at Francis McClure Elementary School in the McKeesport Area School District and decided to enter the PTA Reflections art competition, which he has done in the past. This year’s theme was “The world would be a better place if …”
He said after finding out the theme, the lyrics to the song “just came to me.”
“The world would be a better place, if I saw my brother’s face,” is the first line of the song, which left the crowd teary-eyed when Logan played it at the March meeting of the McKeesport Area school board. He received a standing ovation after he finished.
Logan said it took him about three days to write the lyrics and music.
“First I did the melody and then I thought of the words, and they just came to me,” Logan said.
“We didn’t really know what he was doing,” said Logan’s dad, Gus Kellermann. “He wrote all the words himself.”
When Logan was finished with the song he asked his family to come out to the sitting room, where he played it for them, Mr. Kellermann said.
“It demonstrates how deep a love he has for his brother and his family,” Mr. Kellerman said.
Logan’s mom, Lisa Kellermann, called the song “A beautiful tribute to [Matthew’s] memory.” She added, “Music is such a healer.”
Music runs in the Kellerman family. Ms. Kellermann plays cello, sings and teaches strings at Yadco Music in North Versailles. Logan’s brother Shaun, 12, plays drums but is taking a break to pursue his passion of playing baseball.
“I think the song will touch many people,” Ms. Kellermann said.
Logan said the word “brother” in the song could easily be substituted for any person that someone has lost, which is why many people can relate to it.
Logan has recorded the song twice, once at the Melody Shop in West Mifflin and again at Duquesne University, Ms. Kellermann’s alma mater. She
said the track is being remastered at Red Caiman Studio in Pittsburgh.
The Kellermanns also are working with the Melody Shop to design labels for Logan’s forthcoming CD single, which will soon be available online on websites like CD Baby.
Logan also writes poetry and enjoys boxing in his spare time. He boxes at Olympus Fitness in North Versailles, where Matthew also trained. He hopes to continue playing music. “When I get out of school, I want to have my own band and play on the road,” he said.
“God gave Logan that talent to share with the world,” Ms. Kellermann said.
“If I Saw My Brother’s Face” is being judged by a panel for the national PTA Reflections competition. A winner will be announced in June.
Logan will receive his state PTA Reflections award on April 19 at the Ambassador Center in Erie and will receive his local award May 2 at Brentwood High School.
He is also scheduled to play at the family’s church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in North Huntingdon, later this month.