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A Peaceful Solution Give A Damn Band
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Hear ”A Peaceful Solution” by Give A Damn Band
Teresa Austin sent us this musical mashup of “A Broken Promised Land”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “A Peaceful Solution”.
This group effort produced a unique version that becomes all the more amazing when you consider all the artists involved in it. This shows a high commitment to peace especially as the Give A Damn Band brought together these volunteers for the purpose of this effort.
What a wonderful and beautiful creation these volunteers have produced. So much heart and talent dedicated to promoting peace.
Our thanks and appreciation goes out to Teresa Austin and the Give A Damn Band volunteers for contributing their version of “A Peaceful Solution”.
* * * * * Artists’ Statement * * * * *
The “Give A Damn” Band version of “A Peaceful Solution” is a 100% voluntary united effort from ordinary people around the United States, ages 72 to 11, who have “a peaceful solution“ to share with the world. One-by-one independent lyricists, vocalists and musicians made a contribution in some way to support the Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute’s “Art for Peace” song project.
Through combined creative energy of musical talents, the group took Amy’s idea and her father’s lyrical foundation to “peace together” rough drafts of their own version on www.Songwriter101.com. Eleven of the 20 people who contributed to this song gathered and met for the first time and were given only a short briefing on the desired melody. In two takes and a total of 55 minutes, the gist of the song was recorded.
The production was coordinated from beginning to end by Teresa Austin and recorded by JD Stenzel in a soundproof room located in the basement of The Springfield Guitar Company, owned by Marlin Rood. The band was named by singer/songwriter, Victor Burgess, who was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam era. Victor’s brother served in the Coast Guard and his father was a disabled Army veteran who served during WWII, so he felt very connected to this project of promoting peace.
Ms. Austin’s mother was a 21-year-old civilian wounded by unknown gunfire on the island of Saipan during WWII. The family home was destroyed in the bombings, and several live grenades were unearthed 40-years after the war had ended, when her parents cleared the property to rebuild. “Ocean Serenity”, a collaboration with Dale Pulliam, produced by Steven Beasley was donated to the We Are The Future organization led by Paul Weston and Joanne Ford, and was Teresa’s first peace song project. Greenpeace campaigner, “Ocean Defenders” based in Australia, has since endorsed the song. This is her second peace project.
About The Project Song:
The introduction begins with “A Broken Promised Land”, a song deemed “too controversial” to be aired on radio, written by 72-year-old songwriter and retired Navy career veteran Roy Harris, in which Greg White and Frank Pryor relay sad, but true events in the U.S. As Roy writes, the song’s about “what is going on in this country and where we are heading as a nation”.
The story moves further, with the recitation of Gary Andrews first four lyrical lines by high school student, Jesse Bella, while Tim Watson plays “Battle Hymn of the Republic” with his cornet in the background, at the same time we are reminded: “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord” - which in summary, is the answer to our version of “A Peaceful Solution”.
The patriotic anthem gives the imagery of a time of war, while continuing the story of how one person can make a difference, such as Willie Nelson, who began his quest of promoting peace during a bus ride to Coachella, encouraged by his daughter, Amy.
Eric Measel and Lauri Merrow’s beautiful vocals join in to drive the song’s hook “A Peaceful Solution” to its listening audience.
David Wilkins, a retired peace officer, drove 3 1/2 hours across Kentucky with his daughter, Megan, to join and help lead the group into singing the final verse which follows a musical bridge performed by music instructor, John Vice. Elementary students Wendy Brown and Chip Clinard, representing the future of the world, echo “A peaceful solution” time and time again, as a final reminder of how they wish their future world to be.
The journey of peace is a unified effort with a desired destination of making a difference in the lives of others. Our peaceful solution? Prayer, faith, unity and effort.
We thank the Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute for giving us this opportunity to participate in promoting peace. We hope you enjoy our version of your song.
To hear the entire version of “A Broken Promised Land”, please visit www.soundclick.com/RoyHarris
Thank you.
The GIVE A DAMN BAND volunteer’s:
Marlin Rood (Springfield Guitar Company), Eric Measel (Fairview, TN), Lauri Merrow (LaVergne, TN), John Vice (Gallatin, TN), Tim Watson (Springfield, TN), Jesse Bella (Adairville, KY), David Wilkins (Lexington, KY), Meagan Wilkins (Lexington, KY), Wendy Brown (Ridgetop, TN), Chip Clinard (Adairville, KY), Gary Andrews (Portsmouth, Ohio), Shirley Elaine Matthews (Centerville, MO), Victor Burgess (Hazelhurst, GA), James Kennedy (Cleveland, Ohio), Charles Kirkland (Wylie, Texas), Roy Harris (New Boston, Texas), Frank Pryor (Texarkana, Texas), Greg White (Fort Worth, Texas), JD Stenzel (Adairville, KY), Teresa Austin (Adairville, KY)
Hear ”A Peaceful Solution” by Give A Damn Band
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August 17th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
[...] Give A Damn Band Tags: Arts, Peace, video contest, Willie NelsonShare This [...]
August 18th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
All of you have become a unifying force for peace and diversity with your song. And, by your very good example of how peace can work, you elevate all of us to a higher level of excellence to strive for.