CorbansDad: I knew I would release "Gonna Leave" or any songs I write related to my son or to grief as "CorbansDad" for two reasons. First, it was an honor to be Corban's dad, and second, I learned quickly that in the grief community, most parents love to be referred to as their kids' mom or dad, and there's so much pain among that community that it's sort of a nod of solidarity with them to say, ya know, "I see you." It's permission to open the door and talk about this person we love who's no longer here with us.

CorbansDad: I actually do expect to release more songs as CorbansDad. Right now I'm feeling there are lots of stories to tell related to grief and hope, maybe some country songs, but also maybe some worship songs. There are so many songs related to love and life, there's a lot of pain in grief, but there's also a lot of joy in knowing you'll see someone you love again someday. I love when a DJ says, "This next song, is Gonna Leave by CorbansDad". There's definitely some joy in hearing that. I'm also a stand-up comic and I make sure when I leave the stage to thank crowd and say "I'm ChesterG, and I'm also CorbansDad". I'm so proud of him and who he was.

CorbansDad: I knew that to move it from inside my head to radio, I needed someone I trusted to co-write with. My buddy Erskin Anavitarte, introduced me to my co-writer David Delgado from Oklahoma, and then I met Sam Hart, a brilliant producer out of Nashville who produces Aaron Shust, Bethel, and Todd Smith (Selah) and he took "Gonna Leave" over the finish line. So it was a team effort. I'm thankful for those guys.

CorbansDad: A couple of weeks after my son's accident, I was at lunch and I was sitting across from a counter and stools where my son used to sit. I remembered one day I saw him eating lunch there at the counter, and he waved at me and kept eating. A very simple moment. Then a flood of life memories came back. I realized our lives are a series of every day moments and everyday conversations. I grabbed a pen from my pocket and the lyrics poured out on a napkin. "Gonna Leave" is inspired by my son's last words with First Responders. And that's heavy for sure, but it's also joy filled-I know I'll see my son one day and I'm pumped about that-there's also a lot of peace there.

CorbansDad: Absolutely. I have received hundreds of messages, voicemails, texts, and social media messages. I think everyone can relate to love, life, and death, first days, last days, daycare, and college, and sadly there are many who have experienced loss of their children. Honestly, it breaks my heart when people tell me they know or they understand-I wish no one had to endure that. Being there for other people in all this, in the midst of pain, or reminding people of hope in Jesus or that Jesus loves them is an honor.

CorbansDad: I'm hoping when people hear "Gonna Leave", they'll want to take in those everyday moments, really look at the people they love and be thankful for every minute. I'm also hoping when they hear "CorbansDad" sing they'll realize that's a real dad, and real pain behind the mic and that there's a lot of parents out there grieving and they want to talk about their kids. And you know it'd be nice to know people are singing it, maybe on repeat and thinking of their own families.

CorbansDad: I think that great hope and great pain can co-exist---I'm here to testify about that. Isaiah 61:3 tells us to "put on a garment of praise in a spirit of heaviness". That's what I hope I've done with this song.

CorbansDad: They can learn more about me at www.corbansdad.com and they can find "Gonna Leave" anywhere music is streamed. This all happened so fast that I haven't really had time to build separate socials but they can find me on TikTok @CorbansDad, or follow along at Twitter @chesterwgoad.

CorbansDad: I think music is a very therapeutic way to tell a story. We all have stories to tell. I've got alot more and I hope that they're not just therapeutic for me because it's even more therapeutic to know you've helped somebody or made someone smile.