| Untagged | 7 Sep 2009 |
| The Portland Lyric Project by Mary Turina |
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I say life is beautiful even if I feel pain every day
I don't listen to the chances they give me
I'm no equation or percentage today
Don't waste the sun
Shine on today
Don't let the light fade away
Don't cry for me
I'll be just fine
I feel the sun start to shine
Shine on
Shine on me light
-Written by Geoff Byrd and Jimmy, age 16
Powerful lyrics. Raw emotion. Voices harmonizing; one experienced and professional, one new, young and passionate. The funky sounds of beat box rhythms. This is the 2009 Portland Lyrics Project, a summer experiment that turned out amazing! We partnered seriously ill kids (ages 10-20) with Portland-based songwriters and musicians to record, mix and produce their own original songs. The professional artists helped the kids formulate ideas, thoughts and emotions into a piece that fit their own musical preference. We all came together in Portland’s most intimate concert venue, the KINK Live Performance Lounge, for an incredible private concert for the kids’ families and friends. One kiddo got a hall pass from the hospital to come perform. The concert was recorded, with excerpts played on the Dave and Sheila morning show. [All I can say is WOW! We are SO proud of the courage these kids shared with their lyrics.] A CD compilation of the children’s songs (studio versions) will be released Sunday, September 13th at our Celebration of Courage Family Festival, at the World Trade Center in downtown Portland. Come by, celebrate with us and buy a CD to help these and other kids as they battle life-threatening illness.
And if you missed it, check out the KGW News piece where I was filmed talking about the project at http://www.kgw.com/video/index.html?nvid=395305&she=1.
Warmly,
Mary Turina, CCA's President & COO
