Kirby Heyborne says his new CD, "The Elm Tree," is a homage to life.
"Life is a gift," he said by telephone from Los Angeles. "Every little bit counts."
For example, Heyborne said he always dreamed of becoming a millionaire so he could donate money to charity and causes that are important to him.
"But then I realized that if I wait, something may happen that will prevent me from doing it. So I did some research," he said.
At the same time, Heyborne kept thinking about his mother, who had passed away from cancer, and some of his neighbors who have had cancer.
"I don't think there is anyone who hasn't had cancer touch their lives or someone they know," he said.
So the singer/songwriter decided to donate some of the money from his CD sales to a cancer-research facility.
He found the Huntsman Cancer Institute is the only facility "that uses 100 percent of the donations in research and treatment," he said. "There were others that use 90 to 95 percent, but Jon Huntsman is such a philanthropist that he takes care of the overhead. That way, there is no money from donations used for bills."
While he has kept busy with his musical projects lately, Heyborne is also a prolific actor — having appeared in such films as "The Singles Ward," "Sons of Provo" and "Saints and Soldiers."
Inspiration for "The Elm Tree" came from Heyborne's son, who inadvertently made him think about life.
"He went out in the backyard and doused himself with water and got all muddy. And, without thinking about messing up the house, he came in," Heyborne recalled. "And I thought, 'When do we get to the point where we start thinking of consequences?'
"As adults, we may still like the feel of mud and have fun, but most of us think about cleaning up before coming into the house or getting into the car."
That experience was on Heyborne's mind as he wrote songs for "The Elm Tree." He and his producer had long talks about the CD.
"We knew we wanted to make it an emotional album," said Heyborne. "I wanted to explore the songs from every aspect, in order to make them work."
The last track, "The Lonely Grave," is about a couple looking death in the eye but accepting it.
"When my wife and I got married, we had a blank slate in front of us," said Heyborne. "And there were times when things got tough, and times when it was all good. The song is about living your life right and dancing to your grave."
Guest musician Ryan Shupe played the violin on the track, and that added to the nuance of the lyrics.
"Ryan is a genius," said Heyborne. "He recorded four different solos and sent them to us. We had such a hard time choosing which one we were going to use because they were all so good. So we decided to combine them. And, like the lyrics, the violins seem to be helping each other along."
At one point, they sound like one piece is pulling the other. And at times, they sound like they are walking together.
"That's how I see life. I see my wife and I walking together and helping each other on the way."
The concert at the Covey Center in Provo will feature music from the new CD and some songs from his previous CDs.
"I'm also hoping there will be some friends of mine who will drop by and perform during the show," he said. "I'm hoping to have some comedy and music — without giving things away."
If you go …
What: Kirby Heyborne
Where: Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W. Center, Provo
When: April 3, 7:30 p.m.
How much: $12-$15
Phone: 801-852-7007
Web: www.coveycenter.org
CD signing
Kirby Heyborne will sign his CD at the following stores:
April 3: BYU Bookstore, Provo, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 4: Deseret Book, University Mall, 545 E. University Parkway, Orem, noon-1:30 p.m.
April 4 — Seagull Book, 1720 S. Redwood Road, 2:30 p.m.
April 4 — Deseret Book, 1110 E. Ft. Union Blvd., 4-5:30 p.m.
E-mail: scott@desnews.com