Stand By Me
Playing For Change was born out of the idea that we have to inspire each other to come together as a human race and that music is the best way to do this. The project was begun four years ago on a street in Santa Monica by a small group of music-loving filmmakers. They recorded a street musician named Roger Ridley performing the song Stand By Me. They then traveled all over the world, through streets, subways, native Indian reservations, African villages, Himalayan mountains, and even to Dublin to record Bono. None of the musicians had ever met, rather, it was the music that brought them together, and the belief that we can do a lot more for this world if we work together than we ever can apart.
The foundation that sprung from this is building and connecting music/art programs around the world, empowering children to create and share their music and providing a healthy outlet of their personal expression. It is enabling collaboration between students of these new schools and students from established music schools in the U.S. and abroad. It is giving hope and inspiration to communities and people in need of them.
You can learn more about the group at: www.playingforchange.com (there is a link to the foundation there too).
And since everyone can use a little more hope and inspiration, here’s the video that started it all – Stand By Me. Although it says it is 10+ minutes long, it isn’t – it is just over 5, (the rest is black screen). I hope you are inspired by it too…*smile*
Like this:
~ by ShesTheOne on May 5, 2009.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tags: Bono, playing for change, Stand By Me, street musicians, video
Not only is that a great song, and a moving performance, but that idea that music is the world’s great common denominator… all of it very moving. Time to rework a few playlists on my mp3 player tonight I think.
The organization is doing good work – I’m really stoked about being involved with them
This is amazing! Thanks for sharing. I work for a community organisation that shares all sorts of methods of collaboration…from art projects, to youth inclusion, to music.
We work to the ethos that none of us can change the world on our own – not business, not government, not individuals, we succeed when we work together.
I’ll be sharing this when I go into work tomorrow
I work with and support several organizations, including this one, doing the same. High five Lores – it’s nice to connect with like-minded people such as yourself…*smile*
Hi, cool post. I have been thinking about this topic,so thanks for writing. I’ll definitely be coming back to your site. Keep up the good work
Hey thanks so much!
That’s great *high fives back*
Take a look at our website if you have a minute – http://www.chain-reaction.org it needs updating but theres links to ideas about building stronger communities and stuff like that
Best
Lores
Heady stuff, Lores, there must be quite the buzz around there
I added the site to my blogroll and I will take a much longer look at it all. At first glance, it appears to be something I might get involved with. Well done