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Words of Inspiration from Our Musicians Be a part of the many artists who have donated their talents! Some members of the Songs of Love family of songwriters and singers include Tony Asher (Co-Writer with Brain Wilson on the Beach Boys Pet Sounds), David Lee Roth, Michael Bolton, Ronnie Spector, Itaal Shur (co-writer on Grammy Award winning song of the year "Smooth"), David Wolfert (Co-Writer of "I Believe In You and Me" performed by Whitney Houston), Jamie Lynn-Sigler (Meadow Soprano on the Sopranos), and the cast of the Broadway Show "Titanic". Here are words from some of our growing family of caring songwriters and performers. If you are a songwriter or performer, or know one, there are many ways you can get involved. For details, please visit the "join us" section. "I have been following your progress with Songs of Love and
I want to commend you for your hard work and heartfelt efforts. I think that
what you are doing for kids is great and I wish you continued success."
"As a member of the West Coast Council of the Songwriters Guild of America, I am intensely interested in songwriters' getting fair payment for the first use and many subsequent uses of recorded songs. As a Songs of Love volunteer, I find the payment of $1 for the first (and probably only) use, coupled with the satisfaction of being part of a child's happiness, to be well worth the effort. Like most people, I am a mixture of good and bad, success and failure. When I write a song of love, I feel part of something bigger than myself, and joy comes into my life". -- Dave Kinnoin Has written hundreds of recorded songs, mostly for children's projects including Disney and the Muppets. Some songs written are: "Learning With Winnie The Pooh", "Playing With Winnie The Pooh", and "Winnie The Pooh Friendship" (theme songs from Disney video series), "H2O, What A Feeling!", written with Jimmy Hammer, sung by Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid, Songs From The Sea and "Let The Good Shine Out", sung by Kermit The Frog in Muppet Treasure Island Sing-Along video. He has studied songwriting with Jack Segal for over twenty years. "My main reaction to writing a Song of Love is this: The inspiration to collaborate with Dave Kinnoin was in the assignment itself. I was moved to concentrate my abilities on the worthy subject of a child who needed the best song I could contribute with my very able co-writer. Of course I love children, and I had the very thrilling experience of writing on that subject with "Scarlet Ribbons For Her Hair". This was a superior motivation for me and Dave. I thank the sponsors for the opportunity, and I hope to receive another such assignment that makes use of my gift for creating meaningful songs". -- Jack Segal Was considered ahead of his time with songs he created with George Handy which are now jazz standards. Johnny Mercer was an early producer of Jack's work and sponsored him for ASCAP in 1947. The other songs which he created in the 50's and 60's and as late as 1984 are also mentioned because they have become evergreens which are constantly covered by recording artists to this day. Some of his songs include "When Sunny Gets Blue" (with Marvin Fisher), "Laughing Boy", "You Wear Love So Well" (with George Handy), "Where You At?" (with George Handy), "Scarlet Ribbons For Her Hair" (with Evelyn Danzig), "Hard To Get" (with Bee Walker), and "When Joanna Loved Me" (with Robert Wells). "Children are our world's greatest resource. They hold the key to the
future of humanity. Anything that can help develop them into strong,
positive adults is more than worth doing. Music has always had the power
to strengthen and heal. So what better combination than to bless our
children with the gift of song." "I can't remember a more rewarding experience than the one
I had writing my first song for Songs of Love. The fact that we were actually
going to reach out and touch the heart of a child was an overwhelming feeling.
Knowing that someone is moved by what we do is one of the reasons we all write
in the first place, but knowing that the child receiving the song will be affected
personally by something written just for them is truly a beautiful thing. I
look forward to writing many more songs and to helping in any way I can." "I've co-written 16 'Songs of Love', and am a better person,
and probably a better writer, because of it. I've gotten back in touch with
the true purpose of songwriting. In that moment I experienced an exhilarating
sense of freedom: I could create a new musical style, I could be silly or sincere,
I could express pure love -- even for a total stranger -- through the medium
of song. I stretched in ways I couldn't have imagined beforehand. Recently,
I received my first letter of acknowledgment from a whole family. It was
better than hearing my song on the radio. It was better than a Top 10 hit!" "To have had the opportunity to contribute original music written especially for the children has been one of the biggest highlights in my entire career. There is no award in this industry that can match the thrill of giving this gift of music to a child. My only wish is that so many musicians from around the world will contribute to Songs of Love in this incredible journey of the human spirit. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share and to grow. Songs of Love will have my lifetime support." "It sure is a great feeling to hear one of your songs on the radio, but its an even better feeling when I write a song for a sick child. Every song is a number one hit as soon as the child hears it. I would highly recommend Songs of Love to any writer who wants to have a hit song, feel very good inside and be part of a family of terrific people." "I love children, songwriting and have always felt compassion
for those going through tough times, so being given the opportunity to make
children feel better through song has been a gift in my life. Completing a song
brings a sense of calmness and wholeness to my spirit that I've not felt writing
any other kind of music. It's 'the more you give, the more you receive' lived
out in reality." "Writing for Songs of Love has brought a whole new dimension
to my writing and to my life. Songs of Love bring out the best in me, because
I have such a deep respect for the children and their families. Sometimes it
seems as though the songs write themselves." "Through my participation in Songs of Love, I really feel my gifts make a difference in the world. To touch a child's life through song is worth more than all the accolades of the world. During the process of writing the songs, the children's profiles act as a healing force between the performer and the child. I am so inspired by their courage and now I don't want to take any days for granted. Everyday is a blessing thanks to the little lives that have touched me." "Writing a 'Song of Love' is a creative and spiritual experience for us. Celebrating the life of a child and those who love him or her is the creative task. Connecting with people we don't know, and giving them the gift of love through music is the spiritual joy. It allows us to work together and use our talents in a meaningful, satisfying way." "Writing for Songs of Love is an opportunity to write guaranteed hits. With that in mind, one really stretches his talents to the limit, tailoring each song to fit perfectly with its recipient. It is also an opportunity for an artist to give a significant contribution. No amount of money could match what that child feels when she hears her name on the tape. Also, no amount of money could match what the writer feels when he knows he has eased a child's pain, through a song." "Of all the things one can do in music, by far the most satisfying is writing. When writing, you can create a world of your own making. There is a direct connection to this activity and the life of a child. After all, a child also lives in a world of his or her own. When writing for Songs of Love, these two worlds become one, and the life of a child becomes the world of your song. It is the most perfect and natural thing to do. It is the place where a unity of expression can live harmoniously and undisturbed." "Do you know the feeling you get right after you've helped a stranger with directions or pushing someone in a stalled car? Well that 's how I feel after I've completed a new song for a sick child. You know they're gonna feel good when they hear it, and you feel good 'cause you know they're gonna feel good, and hey, you just created a new song!" |