Word of mouth. It’s powerful these internet age days, everything changes at warp speed now. People are connected in ways they’d never been before. We can send out an email and ask our friends to ask their friends to ask their friends to help us and it works exponentially.
Ariel got forwarded a letter today from a woman in Huntsville Alabama. I’m not sure who posted a blog on Obama’s site about our YouTube video (thanks!! by the way) but she saw it and wrote this in response:
I love your song, I am sitting at my desk in Huntsville, Alabama reading some of the blogs on Barack’s website and ran across the link to your song. I am sitting here crying right now. I am a Black woman, who is grounded in hope and vision for America . I was brought up to love people unconditionally, and I often wondered why people couldn’t do the same. For the first time in my 44 years I am seeing people of all races coming together and saying simply we LOVE AMERICA AND WE WANT IT BACK. I truly believe that Barack can lead us to winning our country back. I also have a 26 year old son who went into the National Guard when he was 17 in high school, since 911 he has been a full time soldier, unable to take advantage of educational opportunities the military has to offer because of constantly being assigned and reassigned to different posts. I love you girl for what you have done and I love my Country. I wish I had more to donate, but I know every little bit counts. And by the way, your video impacted much more than Will.i.am’s did, even though I liked his. I think they should move yours to homepage.
God Bless
Melissa
If you know anyone who lives in Texas, Ohio, Vermont or Rhode Island please encourage them to cast their vote for Senator Obama. As Melissa so eloquently states “We love America and we want it back.”
Submitted by Amie Forest
February 24, 2008 – 4:05 pm
While organizing the Sing for Obama event, every time a need arose, someone stepped up to meet it. We are so grateful for your support. So, Ariel, Amie and I want to give thanks to:
Eric Thiermann, Linda Arnold, Toby Thiermann, Rob Knight, Margaret Rosas, Mindi Lawrence, Pia Molina, Don Morrison, Justin and Pete from Bear Creek Recording Studio, all the singers at the recording session, Susan Samuels Drake, members of Ariel’s Women’s Singing Circles, Jemila Alldis, Karl Forest, Billy Gorson, Michelle Newman, Carol, Janet and Caryl.
And all you wonderful, energetic singers of Santa Cruz!
February 20, 2008 – 8:15 pm
Yes, there really is one! Funny how the world works. Jesse Dylan and Will.i.am (from the Black Eyed Peas) got together with celebrities to express their support for Obama. And the resulting YouTube video was great. Our Sing for Obama! Sing for America! Yes We Can video is the people’s counterpart to that.
But we DO have a Dylan connection. Their video was directed by Bob Dylan’s son and our video, the Sing for Obama! Sing for America! Yes We Can video, is being co-produced by Barbara “Moldt” Gorson, who was Bob Dylan’s secretary for six years in the late 70’s, early 80’s.
So, we challenge all of you — especially you Dylan fans – to come to the event. And whether you attend or not, take on our Challenge and create your own grassroots videos of the Yes We Can song and post them on YouTube. Anyone up for singing Yes We Can in a Dylan imitation voice? Do it for Dylan! Do it for the “regular folks” (like you and me) with big voices and lots of spirit.
From guest blogger: Billy Sunshine
February 20, 2008 – 7:58 pm
After reading Amie’s post, I’m even more impressed with what we’ve managed to accomplish in 8 short days. Now we’re moving on to some of the logistical details surrounding the shoot. This is one of the best and most fun projects I’ve worked on. The energy and spirit around it….the way everything seems to be there at the right time and to fall into place. People have stepped up at every turn.
And that is the whole point! We can work together to get things done…to make a change.
Check back here on February 27th or 28th and we’ll have a unique Santa Cruz music video up. But that’s not the end of it. Then we’ll ask more from you. We’ll ask you to view the video and tell all your friends to do the same. We’ll ask you to use your social networking sites to get the word out. We want to create a major buzz around this video.
And, of course, make your own video. You can do it with two people, four people, a crowd. Just sing the song, add your own unique flavor, and have fun! No need to be a musician or a videographer. This is the people’s video movement. And we want our voices heard. And raising your voices in song with others is a powerful way to reach emotions and inspire others. So, do it. It’s easy.
We are doing it. Yes we can. Can you?
Submitted by Barbara Gorson
February 20, 2008 – 6:30 pm
Obama wins Wisconsin and Hawaii! The momentum is building. I’ve never seen so much excitement surrounding a candidate, and I’ve never been so happy to work this hard for one.
We started our project Sing for Obama a week ago yesterday. Since then we’ve: rewritten and rewritten (and rewritten) the song until it became this gloriously catchy and meaningful anthem; been to the recording studio twice; contacted the Obama folks; built and rebuilt a website; scouted a location; signed a contract on an indoor-in case of-rain location; crafted and sent emails inviting everyone we know plus everyone they know; created 2 flyers; sent press releases; wrote a hog call; coordinated with the regional Obama PR guy; met with the director and his assistant to plan the video, created a ringtone (coming soon! please download it to your phone and show your support); and lived and breathed this project. Barbara, Ariel and I don’t sleep anymore from the excitement.
If you are reading this before the Saturday, February 23rd event and you live in the Santa Cruz area (or feel so inclined to come here) please join us!! Our song and video are going to capture this feeling of hope and commitment that Barack Obama inspires in us all.
Then we’re going to use it to inspire other communities to ensure his election. This is a political movement like I’ve never seen.
I guarantee you want to be part of this.
submitted by Amie Forest
I went to Barbara’s house this morning to make signs for the event and I told her “today is either going to be amazing, or really amazing.” Well, we’re finished with the filming of the group sing and I have to say it was really, really, really amazing!