St. Louis Music Artists band together to aid terror victims
Kevin Johnson
Novemebr 15, 2001
During the recent recording sessions for "Freedom in the World" on an especially rainy night, artists wandered in and out of the studio for hours recording their parts, while occasionally engaging in some good-natured chop-busting.
The lead singers, Mendoza, Steve Waller of Just Add Water, PJ of Shine, Patrick Clark, Aaron Popp of Somnia, Johnny Hose of Daisy Chain, and Ragland, were scheduled at intervals, and their work was put on a single track later.
"All the players did a great job. We couldn't have asked for anything better," says McClanahan, who produced the song. "There hasn't been anyone who had an ego or anything."
Heeley, the guitarist for Somnia, sent out e-mails looking for interested artists, and he received enthusiastic responses. "It was a great cause. How could I say no?" asked Waller.
Heeley explained, "Whoever I got in touch with wanted to get involved any way they could and I gave them that opportunity. And it really spread through the grapevine."
Together, with McClanahan, they found the inspiration for "Freedom in the World" from the myth of the man who was on an upper floor of one of the towers and supposedly rode the debris down to the ground level, surviving with broken legs.
We wnated to talk about hope, and how musicians can do something good," said Mendoza. "And we didn't want to get too patriotic, because that all goes without saying. We wanted to talk about the humanness of the situation, and that this affects everyone in every country.
Heeley concurred with the message of peace and hope for "Freedom in the World," and he added "hopefully, the world will extend sympathy for not only those lost, but hope that the world gets through this smarter and better, that it'll be a more passionate world. Maybe we can learn from our mistakes.
Since September 11, music artists have bended together for benefit concerts like the all-star events that recently took place in New York, Washington and Nashville TN*.
Patriotic recordings have been flowing, such as the reissue of Whitney Houston's "The Star-Spangled banner," the remake of Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On" and the "God Bless America" compilation. Even Nelly did his thing, giving proceeds from two birthday parties to disaster relief, among other charities.
Now, St. Louis rock musicians are joining the fold with the song "Freedom in the World," a who's who of local rock scene. the song was written by Javier Mendoza, Mike Heeley and Darrell McClanahan, who describe their effort as a song of hope dedicated to the memory of lives lost in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
Among those who participated are Mendoza, Robyn Ragland, Somnia, the Patrick Clark Band, Just Add Water, My Two Planets, Brandy Johnson, Poppies 3, and others. A children's choir with about 50 children from Lee Hamilton Elementary School in Ferguson is on the track as well.
The song, recorded at Angefish Studios in Des Peres (the studio time was donated), appears on the compilation CD "St. Louis for Peace," which also features songs from various artists. The CD release party is Friday night at the Side Door at Club Z, with proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross' relief efforts. Artists will perform 15-20 minute sets on two stages, culminating in an encore performance of the rock-pop song "Freedom in the World".
*I think he meant Pennsylvania
During the recent recording sessions for "Freedom in the World" on an especially rainy night, artists wandered in and out of the studio for hours recording their parts, while occasionally engaging in some good-natured chop-busting.
The lead singers, Mendoza, Steve Waller of Just Add Water, PJ of Shine, Patrick Clark, Aaron Popp of Somnia, Johnny Hose of Daisy Chain, and Ragland, were scheduled at intervals, and their work was put on a single track later.
"All the players did a great job. We couldn't have asked for anything better," says McClanahan, who produced the song. "There hasn't been anyone who had an ego or anything."
Heeley, the guitarist for Somnia, sent out e-mails looking for interested artists, and he received enthusiastic responses. "It was a great cause. How could I say no?" asked Waller.
Heeley explained, "Whoever I got in touch with wanted to get involved any way they could and I gave them that opportunity. And it really spread through the grapevine."
Together, with McClanahan, they found the inspiration for "Freedom in the World" from the myth of the man who was on an upper floor of one of the towers and supposedly rode the debris down to the ground level, surviving with broken legs.
We wnated to talk about hope, and how musicians can do something good," said Mendoza. "And we didn't want to get too patriotic, because that all goes without saying. We wanted to talk about the humanness of the situation, and that this affects everyone in every country.
Heeley concurred with the message of peace and hope for "Freedom in the World," and he added "hopefully, the world will extend sympathy for not only those lost, but hope that the world gets through this smarter and better, that it'll be a more passionate world. Maybe we can learn from our mistakes.
Since September 11, music artists have bended together for benefit concerts like the all-star events that recently took place in New York, Washington and Nashville TN*.
Patriotic recordings have been flowing, such as the reissue of Whitney Houston's "The Star-Spangled banner," the remake of Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On" and the "God Bless America" compilation. Even Nelly did his thing, giving proceeds from two birthday parties to disaster relief, among other charities.
Now, St. Louis rock musicians are joining the fold with the song "Freedom in the World," a who's who of local rock scene. the song was written by Javier Mendoza, Mike Heeley and Darrell McClanahan, who describe their effort as a song of hope dedicated to the memory of lives lost in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
Among those who participated are Mendoza, Robyn Ragland, Somnia, the Patrick Clark Band, Just Add Water, My Two Planets, Brandy Johnson, Poppies 3, and others. A children's choir with about 50 children from Lee Hamilton Elementary School in Ferguson is on the track as well.
The song, recorded at Angefish Studios in Des Peres (the studio time was donated), appears on the compilation CD "St. Louis for Peace," which also features songs from various artists. The CD release party is Friday night at the Side Door at Club Z, with proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross' relief efforts. Artists will perform 15-20 minute sets on two stages, culminating in an encore performance of the rock-pop song "Freedom in the World".
*I think he meant Pennsylvania