Once again I turn to Playing for Change for Cover Friday. This time it's
Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground performed by musicians all over the world.
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song #261 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, offering the following explanation: "'Ground' was recorded just before Wonder was involved in a near-fatal accident in August '73 that left him in a coma. Early in Wonder's recovery, his road manager sang the melody of 'Ground' into the singer's ear; Wonder responded by moving his fingers with the music."[3]
This year's event carries the theme Power to the People, drawing its inspiration from the spirit of John Lennon's activism, thanks to the gracious support of Playing For Change's mission byTheatre Within and Yoko Ono. Proceeds raised will support the work of the Playing For Change Foundation and Theatre Within – to help build music schools, strengthen music and arts education, support teachers and performances, purchase instruments, and connect schools to promote cross-cultural learning and conflict resolution.
Playing For Change Day is a creative day of action that uses the universal power of music to create positive social change. You understand the power of music and the ways it can change the human heart and the human experience. Whether you’re a musician or a music fan, whether you’re performing in a show or attending one on September 17th, your donation or participation will contribute to a positive vibration that connects and inspires us all. Will you bring your passion and presence to a global day of music? Please visit www.PlayingForChangeDay.org to learn more and to participate.
“Peace One Day" is calling for a Global Truce on Peace Day 2012. We have a clear strategy and we hope this will be the largest reduction in global violence in recorded history, both domestically and internationally. This day is as much about non-violence in our schools, our homes, workplace and local communities as it is about ceasefire on the international stage. Everyone has a role to play. The O2 Arena show launches a 365-day countdown. I’m so grateful to all the artists for giving their time to help Peace One Day take this message to the people of the world.”
Jeremy Gilley, founder of Peace One Day
Four months ago this was the idea that I had while in the hospital. A global day of music, dance, laughter, food and art to be celebrated on the last day of the Mayan Calendar, 21 December 2012. What I didn't know was Playing For Change whom I admire greatly would be doing something similar this year and I had never heard of the Peace One Day initiative but I did find out that Jeremy Gilley had this idea way back in 1999 and brought it before the United Nations where he got agreement from all member countries for a day of global truce to be held in September 2001. Of course we all know what happened on 9/11/01 postponing Jeremy's plan by 11 years.
So he is to be congratulated for sticking with what I believe is an important step toward peace one day as I believe the same of the We Can Work It Out Project. I believe we humans can reach the Higher Ground Stevie wrote about, That we can bring reality to the world John Lennon Imagined with One Love...One Heart as Bob Marley sang it. And Of course We Can Work It Out.
Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground performed by musicians all over the world.
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song #261 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, offering the following explanation: "'Ground' was recorded just before Wonder was involved in a near-fatal accident in August '73 that left him in a coma. Early in Wonder's recovery, his road manager sang the melody of 'Ground' into the singer's ear; Wonder responded by moving his fingers with the music."[3]
uncing The 1st Annual Playing For Change Day On September 17th
by Playing For Change Foundation
The 1st annual PLAYING FOR CHANGE DAY – on September 17, 2011 – is a global day of action where musicians of all varieties perform on stages, cafés, city squares, and street corners worldwide and raise money to bring music into the lives of young people.
This year's event carries the theme Power to the People, drawing its inspiration from the spirit of John Lennon's activism, thanks to the gracious support of Playing For Change's mission byTheatre Within and Yoko Ono. Proceeds raised will support the work of the Playing For Change Foundation and Theatre Within – to help build music schools, strengthen music and arts education, support teachers and performances, purchase instruments, and connect schools to promote cross-cultural learning and conflict resolution.
Playing For Change Day is a creative day of action that uses the universal power of music to create positive social change. You understand the power of music and the ways it can change the human heart and the human experience. Whether you’re a musician or a music fan, whether you’re performing in a show or attending one on September 17th, your donation or participation will contribute to a positive vibration that connects and inspires us all. Will you bring your passion and presence to a global day of music? Please visit www.PlayingForChangeDay.org to learn more and to participate.
“Peace One Day" is calling for a Global Truce on Peace Day 2012. We have a clear strategy and we hope this will be the largest reduction in global violence in recorded history, both domestically and internationally. This day is as much about non-violence in our schools, our homes, workplace and local communities as it is about ceasefire on the international stage. Everyone has a role to play. The O2 Arena show launches a 365-day countdown. I’m so grateful to all the artists for giving their time to help Peace One Day take this message to the people of the world.”
Jeremy Gilley, founder of Peace One Day
Four months ago this was the idea that I had while in the hospital. A global day of music, dance, laughter, food and art to be celebrated on the last day of the Mayan Calendar, 21 December 2012. What I didn't know was Playing For Change whom I admire greatly would be doing something similar this year and I had never heard of the Peace One Day initiative but I did find out that Jeremy Gilley had this idea way back in 1999 and brought it before the United Nations where he got agreement from all member countries for a day of global truce to be held in September 2001. Of course we all know what happened on 9/11/01 postponing Jeremy's plan by 11 years.
So he is to be congratulated for sticking with what I believe is an important step toward peace one day as I believe the same of the We Can Work It Out Project. I believe we humans can reach the Higher Ground Stevie wrote about, That we can bring reality to the world John Lennon Imagined with One Love...One Heart as Bob Marley sang it. And Of course We Can Work It Out.
"Peace One Day" is calling for a Global Truce on Peace Day 2012. We have a clear strategy and we hope this will be the largest reduction in global violence in recorded history...
ReplyDeleteGiven me a couple of days and I push this on my blog.
Mike, you are so good and I feel so behind. I love you for your idealism and infectious love of all things that are right. Hoping I can get strong and fast again very soon and back in the saddle. This is an excellent presentation of Higher Ground, of course.
ReplyDelete@Bum - thanks for getting behind this initiative. Peace One Day has already done some amazing things in Afghanistan by getting the US and the Taliban to call a ceasefire while POD got nurses and doctors into outlying regions to give vaccinations and other needed medical care.
ReplyDelete@Les Thank You Kindly, but I'm just making up for past behavior, trying to walk the talk in other words. Don't worry about WCWIO. I know you have your hands full. It's more important for you to take care of yourself. I love you too.