The Heart Behind the Music
Richard Nelson — Original Songs for the Moments That Define You
Richard creates original personalized songs from your story — for grief, love, celebration, faith, and the moments that are simply too big for words.
How What's Your Beat Began
Music has always been Richard's refuge. When he lost his wife, he didn't just listen to music. He needed to preserve it. He needed to hold onto the fragile memories that were slipping away. In his grief, he turned to creating music as a way to process his emotions and honor her memory.
Some days, the music was gentle and reflective. Other days, it was raw with grief. And sometimes, unexpectedly, it was filled with joy from a cherished memory. That's when he realized: everyone has a story inside them that deserves to become a song. Some are mourning. Some are celebrating. Some are somewhere in between.
With AI's help, Richard learned to turn moments into melodies quickly enough to actually help people when they need it most. If music could carry him through the darkest chapters of his own story, perhaps it could do the same for someone else.
Want the full story behind What's Your Beat?
Read how grief led Richard to build this →What Richard Builds Every Song Around
Your Story Comes First. Always.
No templates. No copy-paste. Every commission starts with what you've actually lived through — the specific people, the specific feelings, the specific moments that only you carry. That's what makes the song yours.
Richard's goal is simple: to help you feel, reflect, and honor the things that matter most — whether that's celebrating someone's life, cherishing a new love, or marking any chapter worth holding onto in music.
Your Story, Not a Template
Every commission begins with what you've lived through. The song follows from there — not the other way around.
Real Creative Direction
Richard works closely with AI tools to shape your story into lyrics and sound that resonate. The creative choices are his — guided by what you shared.
The Compassion Fund
Each month, Richard quietly selects one person from recent commissions and refunds them in full. No application. Just a surprise for someone whose story moved him.
For the Grieving
Honor a life. Preserve what's slipping. Transform pain into something that lasts.
For Love Stories
Say what you can't quite say out loud. Give them something they'll keep forever.
For Life's Chapters
Mark where you've been. Celebrate who you're becoming. Turn the moment into music.
How a Commission Works
You Share Your Story
Tell Richard about the moment, person, or emotion you want to honor. The more you share, the more the song will feel like it could only ever be yours.
Richard Creates Your Song
Richard works closely with AI music tools to shape your story into something that actually sounds and feels right. The creative direction — what the song says, what it sounds like, what it's trying to carry — that's Richard. Every commission is original and built from what you shared. Standard commissions are ready within 7 days. Check current availability →
You Unlock and Listen
Your private access code arrives by email. Use it to unlock your song on Richard's secure delivery page. Tribute and Legacy commissions include revision rounds — and mispronunciation fixes are always free, on every tier.
It's Yours
Download it, share it, play it at a memorial or a wedding. If you're on a Legacy tier or have added Streaming Submission, Richard will handle distribution to Spotify, Apple Music, and TikTok. Otherwise, your song stays private — entirely your call.
Commission Your Song
Ready to turn your story into music? Share your moment and Richard will create something that's genuinely yours.
Commission Your Song — From $49The Compassion Fund
Each month Richard selects one person from recent commissions and refunds them in full — quietly, no announcement. It's just something he does.
Learn More About the Fund