Playing For Change

Peach Through Music

Playing for Change

Yes We Can!  I'm quoting our President only to make a point that I do believe in change.  Positive, gospel-directed change.  Change where we in this country, on this planet, come together and help our fellow man (and woman).  Help the hungry children.  Help the poor and sick who can't seem to get help.  I haven't seen enough change yet since the swearing-in ceremony of our country's leader.  I'm waiting though, and I'm hoping that he will do what he said he would do in the campaign.  At this point, I don't see how that will happen, because there is little to no peace between the two parties.

I really don't care about all of their accusations against each other.  I only know that the two sides are hurting my country that I love.  I know there are some of you out there who share my feelings.

It's all about the people we elected to government making themselves look good at the risk of the ones on the other side.  I don't call that strategic governing.  I call it selfish motive, and screw the people they're supposed to be representing back home.

This morning, I updated my scrapbooking blog, Journey to Faith, here at Blogger.  I noticed the first link I have on the right, at the very top, which I put there for just that purpose--to remind me to click on it occasionally.  To remind me that there are others trying to bring about positive change in this world who aren't so well known but exceedingly wiser than any one politician we have.

"Playing for Change" is a video created by an awesome young man, Mark Johnson, who believes there is a language known and shared around the world that everyone understands.  The language of music.

Yes, peace through music.

Playing for Change first appeared on the Bill Moyers Journal on October 24, 2008.  An excerpt of that airing follows:

Bill Moyers sits down with Mark Johnson, the producer of a remarkable documentary about the simple but transformative power of music:PLAYING FOR CHANGE: PEACE THROUGH MUSIC. The film brings together musicians from around the world — blues singers in a waterlogged New Orleans, chamber groups in Moscow, a South African choir — to collaborate on songs familiar and new, in the effort to foster a new, greater understanding of our commonality.

Mark Johnson

Johnson traveled around the globe and recorded tracks for such classics as "Stand By Me" and Bob Marley's "One World" — creating a new mix in which essentially the performers are all performing together — worlds apart. Often recording with just battery-powered equipment, Johnson found musicians on street corners or in small clubs and they would in turn gather their friends and colleagues — in all, they recorded over 100 musicians from Tibet to Zimbabwe.

Click here to watch the video.

Now, I know some of you may not be fans of blues music, or fans of black guys playing on the streets in New Orleans.  You may not be a fan of Bill Moyers because of his liberal views.

But, see, that right there shows there's something wrong.  People (and I include myself) like what they like and don't want to be involved in anything they don't like, EVEN if it's something created for a good reason.  For example, I really don't like hip-hop and rap.  However, if I came across a documentary featuring one of these music genres created for a worthy cause by an intelligent guy with a vision for peace and a love for all people, I would support it.  And I support "Playing For Change."

I have an advantage music-wise on this one.  I love classic rock 'n roll, and as a teenager, my friends and I listened to a lot of blues by the great African-American artists, B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Ray Charles, Bobby Bland.  I had an Etta James album I played every night when I was 18 as I lay in my bed in the dark, and, yes, "At Last" was one of my favorites.

So "Stand by Me," the tune in Playing for Change brings to life memories of my early years.  Released in 1961, written and recorded by Ben E. King.  Those were some good years back then great music.

Can something like music link people together, help them care about peace between their countries or with their fellow citizens?  All I know is Mark Johnson and his organization are making a go of it.  They are continuing with the mission and recording more music, bringing additional musicians into the performing group, and they are taking the stage now.  They continue traveling to far parts of the globe seeking  more talent.

I say this is a very BIG thing.