Shadow Pearson & The City Song Players

Finger On the Pulse campaign

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http://www.citysong-fingeronthepulse.com/
http://www.onepulsefoundation.org/
http://www.theactomatics.com/
http://www.star1group.com/

 

Story courteousy of Wikipedia (read full story here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Orlando_nightclub_shooting)

“On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old security guard, killed 49 people and wounded 53 others in a terrorist attack/hate crime inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, United States. He was shot and killed by Orlando Police Department (OPD) officers after a three-hour standoff. Pulse was hosting a "Latin Night" and thus most of the victims were Latinos. It was both the deadliest mass shooting by a single shooter and the deadliest incident of violence against LGBT people in United States history. It was also the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States since the September 11 attacks in 2001.

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In a 9-1-1 call shortly after the shooting began, Mateen swore allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and said the shooting was "triggered" by the U.S. killing of Abu Waheeb in Iraq the previous month. He later told a negotiator he was "out here right now" because of the American-led interventions in Iraq and in Syria, and that the negotiator should tell the United States to stop bombing ISIL.

Initial reports said Mateen may have been a patron of the nightclub and used gay dating websites and apps, but Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials said they have not found any credible evidence to substantiate these claims. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) also conducted an investigation and said it found no links between ISIL and Mateen.”

 

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

 

I was introduced to this artist and this endearing campaign and chose her to be the first in the Charity Spotlight Series.  The about section is taken from the website and an informative interview follows.

 

Shadow Pearson, from the alternative rock band, The Actomatics, assembled a team of over 100 people to perform her soulful "City Song - Finger on the Pulse." The song features a choir representing the 'Voices' of Orlando. The proceeds from the song benefit the onePulse Foundation 501c. 

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This pop song, written by Shadow Pearson, is designed to give back and bring healing to the world. "You shot the light, but you can't take the heart," is a resolute and hopeful message. 

Shadow's group, The Actomatics, form the backbone of the piece. Team City Song has blossomed into many facets with a growing personnel. Feeling the song deserved a separate identity, one for the people, from the people, singing 'This is our city, Orlando' she chose the name Shadow Pearson & The City Song Players.Pearson refers to those involved with the project as Team City Song. Signed to Star 1 Group, the song debuts worldwide September 27, 2016.

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THE INTERVIEW

 

Daniel C. Morrison/Daniel Digs It:  What is it about the Pulse Nightclub incident that prompted you to make it such a passion of yours to support in this way?

 

Shadow Pearson: Living in Central Florida allowed for a different connection to the events surrounding the Pulse Night Club Shooting. Everyone took to the streets. It was a calling to write City Song ~ Finger on the Pulse. I wrote it for all of us because I needed too. 

 

DCM/DDI: How easy or difficult was it to get so many people involved, especially to have 100 people altogether?  And how did selecting those participants come about?

 

SP: I made a social media post and treated it like a cattle call. Whoever wished to be a part of this work would be included. That's how the number grew. It was effortless. Folks were wanting onboard even while we were going to mix. It is a very beautiful thing, the generosity of mankind. 

 

DCM/DDI: I agree completely.  It’s definitely amazing what caring souls can do when brought together!  The song is incredible, especially with its scope.  Do you have any stats on how well it's doing and how much it has helped to raise so far?

 

SP: Thank you. Thank you for 'hearing' the message. We have a few thousand followers. We have contributed around 800 dollars to the onePulse Foundation. My personal goal and portion of the impetuous was that music is eternal. A song can grow through time. Art reminds us who we are. It's only $.99 to download the song with the proceeds going directly to onePulse. I do wish everyone would download the song. Our work isn't done yet.

 

DCM/DDI: The onePULSE Foundation is more than just this song. I read there is a memorial planned and more. What all, at this point in time, is planned and what has been completed?

 

SP:  Indeed. That is true. Shadow Pearson and the City Song Players are supporting onePulse without any official affiliation. Barbara Poma, the owner of Pulse is onePulse Foundation, along with a beautiful crew of caring people. They have many things planned as we arrive at the first anniversary coming this summer.

 

DCM/DDI: What is the intention of this non-profit organization?  What does this foundation hope to do for people and how far does it intend to expand?  What will the money be used for specifically?

 

SP:  I wish I could speak more for onePulse Foundation but I would be remiss. City Song ~Finger on the Pulse was created to represent community. Our goal is to keep our outrage, compassion, strength and love alive through Music.  Everyday a new person comes into our City Song family.

 

DCM/DDI:  It would be nice to see what the money is used for.  Let’s change direction then.  The Actomatics is your alternative rock band.  I'd like to know a bit more about that.  Does this song differ from the style your band is known for?

 

SP: The Actomatics is an interesting band. We have been together for a long time exploring and listening. Our sound is a blend of Roots~Rock~Jazz. That combination alone can take you many places. If you factor in the most important element which is paying attention to each other you get magic. For City Song ~ Finger on the Pulse I built an R&B-Pop/Gospel tune. It was what the subject matter needed. It feels right to have that big chorus with the choir backing it up.

 

DCM/DDI:  It sure does!  What kind of touring is planned for your band and also for this song?

 

SP: Our official video edited with Green Frog Entertainment in Atlanta, Ga. hit VeVo, VH1, youtube and quite a few other international stations in March, 2017. That was a long process finding all of the moments where you could feature everyone who came out to participate and put that into a two minute and 48 second song. We are so proud of the result. The first anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub Shooting will be upon us in June. We will be using the song and video as much as we are able through Orlando and the international community which has embraced the circumstances and effects from that event with so much love. Back in the fall, City Song ~ Finger in the Pulse was used during several performances of 'After Orlando' put on by the Broadway Community. We were delighted to be in this theatrical setting. It was perfect and poignant. The Actomatics will be touring twice this year as we formed a trio to accommodate smaller venues and theaters, Maxx Von Shadow Trio. Our spring tour begins May 17 through the Southeast. We will be in Manhattan mid August following a trip to Los Angeles, California August 5 for an awards ceremony. Our Summer is Risky recording has been nominated for best album and best song in the College Radio format by Just Plain Folks which has 52,000 members. We are excited! Our 4th recording begins in September in Fannin County Georgia ~ The Georgia Blue Ridge ~ in a cabin on a pitch of the mountain.

 

DCM/DDI: That sounds pretty incredible.  It’s easy to see you’re hard workers and really into you craft!  Where can people go to hear more of your music as the Actomatics?

 

SP: We have a complete circuit for social media. It can be accessed via our official website at www.theactomatics.com

 

DCM/DDI: Where can people go to buy or download the single "Finger on the Pulse" and what link can people go to for donating to the cause?

 

SP: City Song has a donation link: www.citysong-fingeronthepulse.com

 

 

DCM/DDI:  Any words of wisdom before we conclude?

 

SP: Remember to stay engaged in the things that bring your life meaning.  Joy will follow for us all. Thank you for having us on your show.

 

DCM/DDI: Definitely a pleasure and thank you for putting your heart out there in more ways than one!