PrintMay 3, 2010
Tea Party Music: Tea Are The World!
I got the idea while traveling and performing nationally on Tea Party Express Tour II. At rallies in every city, conservative musical artists gave me their CDs. Singer/songwriters emailed their songs; all understandably proclaiming theirs to be the greatest tea party song ever written.
I loved the ones who gave me a sheet of lyrics with their permission for me to create a melody, invest time and funds hiring musicians and studio time to produce their song with a promise of sharing the millions made from the sale of their "sure hit".
However, I have heard excellent songs from relatively unknown conservative bands and individual artists; each wanting to travel on the Tea Party Express and/or participate in the Tea Party Movement.
Thus, my idea/solution. To symbolize the diversity, unity and "We The People" aspect of our incredible Tea Party Movement, what if unknown and famous conservative musical artists came together to record a song for a great cause in the style of the Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie 80s hit "We Are The World".
I have challenged my dear friend and amazing music producer/engineer, Frank Starchak, on three other occasions to produce a masterpiece. Each time Frank rose to the occasion.
Over ten years ago, Frank and I were recording after midnight in his studio. A little boy around ten years old knocked on the front door. I cannot remember what the kid wanted, but Frank told me the local boy had issues and bad parents. The troubled boy did receive guidance by attending the Julie Community Center daily after school. The center was run by an awesome nun named Sister Bobby. I had a dream that night about several singers recording a unique version of "Amazing Grace" which would change to various musical styles. All proceeds from the sale of the song would benefit the Julie Community Center.
Frank and I rallied almost two hundred Maryland bands, singers and musicians to record the song. We had white tattooed rockers with rings in their noses and long purple hair singing with black gospel singers wearing business suits; people who would never be in the same room together enjoyed the awesome vibe and musical kinship of the project. Even a rapper threw in a positive rap. It was truly wonderful.
Years later, after moving to Florida, I heard the heart-wrenching news story about tractor trailer driver, Ed Tippie. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time, a depressed father decided to commit suicide with his two young sons in the backseat of his car. He pulled his car out into traffic on the interstate right in front of Tippie's eighteen wheeler. Tippie suffered a mild neck injury. All three passengers in the car were killed.
Tippie, husband and father of a sick child was so traumatized by the incident he could no longer drive. Frank and I rallied musicians, wrote and recorded a song and raised funds for the Tippie family.
Then, I was approached to help Gabrielle LaVerde, a beautiful little girl suffering with Niemann-Pick Type C, early childhood Alzheimer's. Her parents needed funds for a special treatment. Again, Frank and I rallied the music community. Now, Frank and I are rallying the national conservative music community to benefit the families of our military fallen (AmericasMightyWarriors.org). I had the honor and pleasure of meeting the founder and president of the wonderful organization, Debbie Lee, while traveling together on the Tea Party Express III tour.
Debbie Lee is a Gold Star mom. Her highly decorated son, Marc Alan Lee was the first U.S. Navy Seal killed in Iraq. Debbie, through her organization, is doing the Lord's work providing aid, comfort and whatever she can to assist the families of fallen soldiers.
Here is our game plan. Artists will come to Florida and record the song, "Take Back America" with various singers singing each line ala "We Are The World". Everyone will sing the chorus.
Musicians will have an opportunity to add various parts. Artists may submit songs for consideration to be included on the compilation CD. ALL proceeds from the sales of the CD will benefit AmericasMightyWarriors.org.
The historic "Tea Are The World" recording session will take place, Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 12 noon; Deltona Records, 682 Deltona Blvd, Deltona Florida 32725. Interested artists should RSVP Margie Kinder: 703-962-0315 /margiekinder@gmail.com
A music video will be shot of the recording session and it will be streamed live over the internet by TeaPartyExpress.tv.
And for the liberal mainstream media who persist in saying there are no blacks in the Tea Party Movement, I am black conservative singer/songwriter of the "American Tea Party Anthem" and unhyphenated American, Lloyd Marcus.
