Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
ONE WORLD, a timely new anthem for the global pandemic reuniting a pair of prominent American songwriters with a pair of prominent Soviet songwriters for the unified purpose of helping musicians, singers and actors whose incomes have been cut off by Coronavirus quarantining; supporting first responder families enduring COVID-19-related financial hardship, and changing the narrative about race in America – is officially available NOW as a free download with any donation at www.oneworldoursong.com.
Oscar-winning songwriter Franke Previte (“(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing) was spurred by the global pandemic to enlist ONE WORLD co-writer Pamela Phillips Oland (Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin) and together create a new recording of their historic collaboration for the sole purpose of giving 100% of all proceeds from downloads to four major charity partners: Musicians Foundation, The Actors Fund, as well as First Responders Children’s Foundation, beneficiary of the recent “Living Room Concert for America” hosted by Elton John, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
The ONE WORLD official website is accepting easy donations of any amount, which entitle a donor to a free instant download of the song ONE WORLD. (Please note: Downloads for NAACP Legal Defense Fund donations are not yet available.)
ONE WORLD made its world premiere over the radio last weekend, when Entercom offered a sneak peek to global listeners during the Bob Pantano Saturday Night Dance Party, heard around the world (and nationally to Comcast subscribers) through the Radio.com app, and throughout the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region on five radio stations, anchored by flagship 98.1 WOGL. Pantano has committed to continue playing ONE WORLD on all future broadcasts.
The range of charities reflects the scope and breadth of the pandemic’s devastating impact on the community. All live music-related performances: touring, concert, theatrical, Broadway, TV, film – have ground to a halt. Musicians and singers are unable to earn a living in front of live audiences. The touring infrastructure – crews, road managers, talent buying, concert promotion – has been left in disarray, with no true sense of normalcy projected to be returning for another year at least.
ONE WORLD was written in 1989 in Moscow by Previte and Oland with two Estonian songwriters, Sergei Manoukyan and Mikk Targo, during the Glasnost event “Music Speaks Louder Than Words,” the first ever Arts Exchange between Soviet and American songwriters, organized by Alan Roy Scott and Music Bridges. Previte and Oland were among the 22 renowned songwriters participating from the USA. Other notable participants included Diane Warren, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Bolton, Brill Building legends Mike Stoller and Barry Mann, Desmond Child (Bon Jovi), Brenda Russell (Earth Wind & Fire, Donna Summer, Rufus), songwriting team Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly (Madonna, Whitney Houston), Franne Golde (Jody Watley, Commodores), and Alan Roy Scott (Motown, Celine Dion, Cher).
The ensuing album included the original recording of ONE WORLD by Earth Wind & Fire. The lyrics in the new recording have been lovingly updated to address the current COVID-19 crisis. Every creative participant is an “UnSung Hero” to the global music community, including several Grammy Award winners and multiple Grammy nominees. Collectively known as Voices 4 One World, all have contributed to the greatness of recorded and live music as musicians and background singers
“These musicians and singers are the backbone of the music industry, who have made the stars of yesterday and today household names,” says Previte. “This is our heartfelt way of saying thank you and giving them some of the recognition they so rightfully deserve.”
Singers on the record are: Michael Mayo (Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock), Ronee Martin (Patti LaBelle, Wynton Marsalis), Tower of Power “Ambassador of Soul” Ellis Hall, Dorian Holley (Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart), Grammy winner Judith Glory Hill (Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Prince), Valerie Pinkston (Lenny Kravitz, Luther Vandross, Annie Lennox), Amy Keys (Herbie Hancock, Sting, Barbra Streisand), Christine Collister (Richard Thompson Band), and Lisa Sherman (Jon Bon Jovi, Blondie). Musicians are Jon Gilutin (James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt) keyboards; Lenny Castro (Toto), percussion; Brendan Buckley (Shakira, Perry Farrell), drums; Scott Mayo (Earth Wind & Fire), saxophone; Jerry Watts Jr. (Andraé Crouch, Dr. John), bass; James Harrah (Melissa Etheridge, Leonard Cohen), guitar; Randy Jacobs (Was Not Was), guitar; and Tollack Ollestad (Don Henley, Andrea Boccelli), harmonica.
ONE WORLD was produced by Grammy winner Jon Gilutin (“New Attitude”) and mixed by Grammy, Emmy and Dove Award-winning engineer Bill Schnee (Steely Dan, Natalie Cole). The video was produced by Thomas Ryan Ward.
The participants in the ONE WORLD project profusely thank and honor the First Responders, and the sacrifices they and their families, including their children, are making to help all of us.
“These ‘UnSung Heroes’ of music have donated their time and talents so that our song can help make our world a better one to live in,” adds Previte. “You know their music, now you know their names! Give them all a heartfelt ‘Thank you’ as they help us to heal others.”
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For more information, please contact:
Randy Alexander / Randex Communications
856.596.1410 office / 609.280.6140 mobile / randex@randexpr.com
Online press kit at www.randexpr.com/oneworld
