Playing for Change: Music for a Change of Heart

I woke up this morning to the headline that many people who are unemployed have simply given up the search for a job. And last night, while inspired by Barrack Obama's press conference on healthcare reform, I secretly wondered if what is so close will really happen. While my life is generally good, there has been so much bad news for so long. I think it's time for a dose of the healing art that is the best remedy I know to bring about a change of heart - music.

The Playing For Change Foundation (PFCF) is an effort to bring together musicians and vocalists from around the world and to use music as platform to inspire and bring peace to the planet. Their global initiatives have been present through social networking vehicles such as YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, and their blog for quite awhile now. If you haven't heard of their work, please check out this charitable group that is dedicated to connecting the world through music. They provide resources, including educational programs like their first music school, the Ntonga Music School, in Gugulethu, South Africa, and help musicians and their communities around the world.

PFCF started what is now a signature social media project in Santa Monica with a street performance of the classic "Stand By Me" and eventually went on to New Orleans, New Mexico, France, Brazil, Italy, Venezuela, South Africa, Spain, and The Netherlands to get musicians on film. Their latest piece is Bob Marley's classic, "One Love" performed by musicians in Nepal, Israeil, Zimbabwe, and beyond.

A PBS special on Playing for Change premieres on August 1st and can be seen on most public television stations throughout that month. But for now, turn up the volume and sing it with the musicians on this film: “No matter who you are, no matter where you go in your life, you gonna’ need somebody to stand by you.” Now more than ever.