Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
The pursuit of music or medicine was the choice facing Eric Littleton in his early 20's.
The pursuit of music and medicine began in his 30's.
This change began with his first studio session four days prior to Sept 11, 2001. From the first notes of the song "Last Date" it was clear that music was medicine in a different form and could actually have a role along side his family medicine practice. Piano music had been enjoyed since the first lessons at age 6 all the way through medical school and residency and even while playing high school football; but it had been a hobby, an outlet, an occasional way to enjoy a friend's celebration of a wedding or the sadness and mourning of a funeral.
The power of music on the soul has become even more clear since that day. It is unique to each individual soul; and yet each one has some music, some song, some lullaby that will pierce to the core. A person will visit their physician for an illness so that an incision or prescription will target the problem and correct it. This same person can be living with a burden of the soul that a song or hymn can stir with a flood of emotions ranging from fear to tranquility; all simply resulting from the unique experiences of love, loss, dreams, gains, defeats and the unavoidable events of life.
From his interaction with over 60,000 individual patient visits over the past 20 years, Dr. Littleton has seen patients react to the extraordinary joy of a new life to be born, to the harsh reality of a cancer diagnosis and a timetable of months. In each situation the simple answers seem to be the most desired: What is causing this symptom? What is the diagnosis? What is the treatment? What do I do now? What do I tell my family? Why did this happen? The unknown will cause the mightiest fears. Nevertheless, sometimes the simplest of answers, even if not desired, will at least move the person from the point of fear to a place of resolution, even if it means life is now defined as weeks or months, not years.
These are the emotions and fuel of Dr. Littleton's music. His piano style (and touch) is not complex, nor is it intended to be. Most things in life are more easily enjoyed if simple - a morning at the beach, a hike in the Smokies, a quiet dinner, a conversation with a loved one when time is short (as time is clearly not guaranteed for any), or a sunset that strikes us with its beauty. It is this straightforward approach from his own spiritual walk and medical practice that he tries to grasp with each song, hymn, lullaby or original piece. It is his goal to take an arrangement that is simple and hope, in some way, to make it profound to the soul who is listening; for each soul has its own joys, fears, hopes and hidden pain. It is his purpose that the music, and especially the hymns, will remind each listener that we are not our own, nor are we alone. As Psalms 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God."
Dr. Littleton is originally from Harriman, Tennessee and continues to practice Family Medicine in Sevierville, Tennessee. His education background includes graduation from Tennessee Technological University, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Center for Health Sciences, and Floyd Family Practice Residency in Rome, Georgia. He lives with his wife, Julie, son Caleb, and two yellow labs, Hobbes and Louise.
As water is to the earth, so music is to the soul-
Sometimes it cleanses,
Sometimes it floods,
Sometimes dilutes the harmful,
Sometimes flows the blood.
Perpetual existence, from obscure to enjoyed,
Yet in its absence, nothing ever fills its void.
