Songs, Stories & Sounds​

Music has been part of my creative life for more than two decades.

Sometimes a song starts with a memory. Sometimes it starts with a story. And sometimes it simply starts with a feeling that needs somewhere to go.

Here you'll find original songs, music videos, and creative collaborations where music and visual art come together.
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This page will continue to grow as new music finds its way here.

SONG 1: ​🎵 Around Here

An original song recorded in 2005

• Vocals & lyrics by Jackie Morreale
• Music & production by Pat McDermott

“Around Here” has been with me for 21 years.

I originally wrote the lyrics to this song by Pat McDermott in 2005, during one of the most difficult periods of my life. My younger brother, Kenny, had been diagnosed with sarcoma just a month earlier. He was 19.

On August 5, 2005, Kenny's last birthday on earth, I nervously sang “Around Here” for him and some of his friends at the teen center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

I still remember wondering whether my little brother might roll his eyes at his sister making a song for him. ❤️
Kenny passed away on February 18, 2006.

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Twenty years later, the song finally found its way into the world in a new form, with new artwork created especially for the music video.

For the video, I created eight pastel sketches inspired by Kenny, his things, his drawings, and the memories he left behind. The final piece was a portrait of Kenny in orange and blue, the colors of his beloved Mets baseball team in NY. 

​That portrait made me nervous. I had never attempted a portrait using complementary colors, and more than anything, I wanted to capture his essence, not simply reproduce his face. 

I felt like angels helped me with that one. ❤️

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Help us celebrate Kenny's life and legacy with the Ken Pribil Jr. Foundation, now 20 years strong.

Happy Heavenly 40th Birthday Cake drawing in pastel

Fallout training armor drawing in pastel

Sunflowers for Sarcoma Cancer drawing in pastel

Portrait of Ken Pribil Jr

“Around Here” — Lyrics by Jackie Morreale

​Times are changing, my world's turned upside down.
Regret torments me, just want to cry right now.

Whenever I come around here
Feel helpless and unable
Why you instead of me, dear?
The answers are so unclear.
I never thought I'd be standing
Without you there beside me.
Please help me get through
Can't go on without you.

Life turns darker, springtime bears a chill.
He's too young for this, but stronger than it still.

Whenever I come around here
Feel helpless and unable
Why you instead of me, dear?
The answers are so unclear.
I never thought I'd be standing
Without you there beside me.
Please help me get through
Can't go on without you.

Life gets harder, bound to fall apart.
Wish I could help you to heal your broken heart.

He's tested and tortured
They watch while he grows thin.
He's tested and tortured
They watch while he grows thin.

Remember the West Wind
That's blowing inside you.
A new day is coming;
The pressure is lighter.

Whenever I come around here
Feel helpless and unable
Why you instead of me, dear?
The answers are so unclear.
I never thought I'd be standing
Without you there beside me.
Please help us get through
We can't go on without you.

Come around here... Tested and tortured...
Helpless and unable... Heal your broken heart.

Kenny's binoculars in pastel

Kenny's stuff in pastel

Kenny's campfire in pastel

Kenny's doorway in pastel

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Want More Music Videos and Lyrics? Coming Soon.

Around Here is the first piece in this growing collection.
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Future music may include original songs, new music videos, collaborations, and songs inspired by the people, places, and stories that continue to shape my creative journey.

Check back for what's next. 🎵