“Tell Her I Love Her” – How country singer Grayson Lee honors Mom through music

Mom’s Story

Grayson’s mother Shawn was first diagnosed with carcinoma in her sinuses after struggling to breathe through her nose. As an 8-year-old, Grayson “didn’t really know what was going on. I just knew it was bad.”  

After overcoming the initial diagnosis, it returned as brain cancer. Surgery removed 25% of her frontal lobe, leaving her with severe memory loss. Despite it all, she was again declared cancer free, and was happy to witness her two teen boys growing up into young men. 

But Shawn’s cancer returned soon, and she began experimental treatments alongside chemo and radiation—treatments that are improving outcomes for patients today. Grayson remembers how sick she got, even coming down with double pneumonia. Eventually, she was re-diagnosed with cancer in her spinal cord and after time in hospice, Shawn passed away at home in 2020. 

Childhood when Mom has Cancer

Grayson reflects that people in his community were incredibly supportive, bringing meals and inviting him and his brother for days out, but it was hard not to feel like he was getting special treatment because people felt bad for him. 

As a child, it was tough not having Mom around for days at a time while undergoing treatment, but Shawn made the most of her time with her boys. Grayson remembers the excitement of accompanying her on Angel Flights, organized by pilots who volunteer their planes for patients in need of medical transportation. His favorite memories are the spontaneous trips Mom organized to Disney World, those joyful moments still displayed on the family refrigerator today. 

A Lasting Legacy

Shawn’s legacy lives on every day through her sons. When Grayson faces big decisions, he thinks, “What would Mom say I should do?” Her favorite things adorn his arms in the form of tattoos: a family photo, daisies, butterflies, and the phrase “No one fights alone.” He often remembers the valuable lessons he learned from her:  

• She always put others before herself. 

• She looked for ways to make others happy. 

• She never searched for an excuse, always aiming to prove why she could do something. 

Inspiration Through Music

Grayson had been writing songs for years, but when he finished “Tell Her I Love Her,” he knew he had something special on his hands. Inspired by legends of classic country, the song evokes the longing of all the things he wishes he could still say.

So tell Mama I love her 

Tell Mama I need her 

And won’t you tell her I miss her in the sunshine 

With the beach sand through her hair  

I can’t call her or tell her  

Heaven’s far so I wonder 

If she’s living a good life full of high tide  

Won’t you tell her that I love her? 

With the success of “Tell Her I Love Her,” young people have reached out to Grayson, their parents also facing cancer. While he is sorry his is a situation others can relate to, Grayson offers up his advice for making the most of difficult times: 

• Take in as much time with your loved one as you can. You’ll always wish you spent more time. 

• Don’t take anything for granted.  

• People often don’t know what to say to someone who is grieving. You don’t have to say anything profound. Just knowing someone is there means a lot.  

Grayson has just signed a record deal with Santa Anna Records and looks forward to what the future will bring. He wants to honor his mother with his music and knows that she would have been his biggest cheerleader, saying, “I hope she would be proud.” 

Find Grayson Lee on Apple Music or Spotify.