Tag: Jtmp

On August 18, 2001, rock bands Maroon 5 and Train played a benefit concert in Indianapolis, Indiana for the victims of the tragedy at the state fair last month. The concert was originally scheduled to play at the fair, but the event was rescheduled and moved to Conseco Fieldhouse, and they agreed to donate their performance fees, and profits from concession sales. Fans in the audience could help donate via a text message on their cell phones. Train guitarist Jimmy Stafford said, "Everybody wins. We can help the families, we can still perform, and the fans still get to see a show."

More than $500,000 for the victims and their families was raised, and you can see some pictures of the event at IndyStar.com.

Also, Sara Bareilles donated the proceeds from ticket sales from one of her recent shows to the victims and their families, read more here. Please help us spread music activist news and register voters by donating to JTMP here, and to help out the Indiana State Fair Victim Fund, go here.

Musician JD Malone seeks to lift people up, and make them feel better about their situation, and to urge people do "Do What You Can Do" to change your life and others. On the website it says:

“Do What You Can Do is a project headed by musician JD Malone that carries a potent message that enables the average person to change their lives by doing what they can do to make a difference in other people’s lives and in so doing, change their own.

How do we address the fallen spirit of people who just don’t feel connected – who don’t think their voice can even be heard?

Resolving this problem is what’s at the core of the Do What You Can Do Project.

Getting people to feel better about themselves in today’s economy where people are losing their homes, their jobs, and wondering why America has become a little less than it used to be is a daunting task. The way to change America is to change the mindset of the people – one person at a time. People need to know that they can make a difference by becoming a part of a unified community consciousness that enables them to reconstitute a better America.”

Watch the video below, and check out http://dowhatyoucando.com/

Also, check out JTMP and Op-Critical's video "Change the World"

In what would have been her 28th birthday, Amy Winehouse's family is using the day to launch the Amy Winehouse Foundation. On the website they say, "The Amy Winehouse Foundation is being set up in Amy’s memory to support charitable activities in both the UK and abroad that provide help, support or care for young people, especially those who are in need by reason of ill health, disability, financial disadvantage or addiction. ”

The website also says that until they get up and running, "Comic Relief in the UK and America Gives Back in the US have set up the Amy Winehouse Fund to receive donations in her name. ” Please donate generously to JTMP to help us spread music activist news and register voters, and these other organizations to help the Amy Winehouse Foundation. Thank you.

They plan to use proceeds to help launch and propel the organization with the release of "Body and Soul" a duet with Tony Bennet, the video of Amy and Tony performing together in the studio is below. Find out more at http://www.amywinehousefoundation.co.uk/ .

Nigerian musician and activist Bayo Ade has been killed by kidnappers, a country that has been recently plagued with a rash of kidnappings. The kidnappers, who initially demanded ransom money and received it, still murdered the musician. His father, Pa Ukpenyen, collapsed and died upon hearing the news of the death of his son, doubling the tragedy to his family and friends. 

Family, friends, and sympathizers took to the streets in a peaceful protest to call for Nigerian authorities to stop the recent violence and kidnappings that have been plaguing Benin. Edo State Commissioner of police David Omojola announced there are two suspects in custody.

Read our JTMP press release HERE, and read more on Nigeria News here, and below is a music video of his song, "Amebo".

(Egyptian musician Ramy Essam - Photo credit Michael Chavez  - LA Times)

MUSIC AND THE ARAB SPRING

Protest music is playing a huge role in the Arab Spring of 2011, with many artists using their music to speak out against brutal regimes and injustice, and galvanizing the people in city squares. In Tunisia, where many believe was the "spark" of the 2011 freedom movement in the Mideast, Amel Mathlouthi sang "I Am Free, My Word is Free" in Tunis, giving a voice to the oppressed. When protesters gathered in Tahrir Square in Egypt as they brought down the Mubarak regime, the musicians Mohammed Mounir and Ramy Essam sang songs calling for Mubarak to step down. Mounir energized the crowd with his song "Ezzay" (How Come?), and Essam sang his song "Erhal" (Leave!) to the crowd in Tahrir Square, and both songs played a big part in the activist movement in Egypt.

Sout Al Horeya's "Voice of Freedom" has over 1 million views, and has almost become an anthem for the freedom movement. The Iranian student freedom song "Yar-e-Dabestani e-man" has been used as a rallying cry, including updated versions. In Syria, protest music is also playing a big role, even speaking out against the brutal attack on the poet Ali Ferzat.

JTMP has picked out the Top 5 Arab Spring Protest Songs: