Images courtesy of Animal Media FoundationIt’s been two years in the making: Animal Media Foundation (AMF) has completed Giving Animals A Voice Through Music: The Best Friends 25th Anniversary Collection, a two-CD release that benefits the work of Best Friends.
The collection features contributions from 24 influential artists in the music world, including Cyndi Lauper, John Oates, Neko Case and Emmylou Harris.
The musician/producer behind this project is Dexter K. Brown. He and his life partner, Carol Scafuro, founded AMF, an organization dedicated to promoting animal welfare through collaborations within the music community. Giving Animals A Voice Through Music is their most ambitious project to date.
People can pre-order this double CD online before the official release later this month. The CDs come with an eight-page booklet introducing people to the work of Best Friends, including our goal of No More Homeless Pets, our 25th anniversary and our Give the Gift program.
Cyrus Mejia, a Best Friends founder, provided one of his paintings for the cover of the booklet, and Best Friends staff designed it.
The CD also comes with download cards that can be given to friends so they can get two songs free online.
"All of the musicians featured on this compilation jumped on board to support this cause," Brown says. "With the wealth and diversity of talent, we hope this CD will reach not just fans of the artists, but also new audiences of animal and music lovers everywhere."
One CD was produced by Will Ackerman, founder of the Windham Hill Records new-age label. He handpicked 12 artists from the new-age jazz instrumental world, including Eugene Friesen from Paul Winter Consort and electric violinist Tracy Silverman.
Brown produced the other CD, which he describes as "an upbeat, contemporary recording." He says, “There’s a really positive, energetic vibe that prevails throughout this CD. I couldn’t have been happier with the way both recordings turned out.”
While many of the featured artists have yet to enjoy the global fame and instant name recognition of Lauper and Harris, all boast some pretty impressive accolades. For example, composer/vocalist Diane Zeigler won the 2002 and 2004 Just Plain Folks Music Award for "Best Folk CD"; former NRBQ member Big Al Anderson wrote the Tim McGraw mega-hit, “The Cowboy in Me” and received the 2001 BMI Writer of the Year Award; and Shelby Lynne snagged the Best New Artist Grammy in 2000.
Two years ago, AMF produced its first sold-out concert in its home base of Vermont. AMF continues to support local animal-welfare organizations promoting spay/neuter, pet adoptions and animal-friendly legislation. It also continues to support the efforts of Best Friends.
“We're so appreciative of the artists who have donated their talents to ?this project,” says Best Friends marketing director Vicki Kilmer-Rinker, “and of AMF, our longtime partner, who brought this opportunity together for our 25th anniversary.”
Brown hopes that Giving Animals A Voice Through Music will create a kind of cross-pollination of animal lovers discovering new music and music lovers becoming more aware of animal welfare issues. “This is just the beginning,” he says. “We’re already planning the next compilation CD for Best Friends.”
In the meantime, give a listen to Giving Animals A Voice Through Music. There’s something in it for everyone. Check out sound samples of the tracks or pre-order the CD.
Over the coming days on our website, Best Friends will profile some of the artists on the CD and announce its release date, which is expected to be mid-February.
As part of Best Friends’ 25th anniversary in 2009, our goal is to double our membership so we can double our efforts to bring about a time when all companion animals have a forever home. What can you do to help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.