'WHEN JANE & JOHNNY COME MARCHING HOMELESS'

These extremely talented musicians have stepped up to help me with my documentary.  I am grateful for their support and generosity.  More artists will be featured- please check back.

Rob Tomaro

'THE CALL'

Rob is a well- known Music Director and Conductor of the Beloit-Janesville Symphony Orchestra in Beloit, Wisconsin.  He is also a Professor of Music at Beloit College. 

He was honored by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for conducting the recording of the Emmy Award winning score for the Los Angeles Marathon and in 2002 he was one of only eight conductors chosen to study with world renowned conductor, Christoph Eschenbach.

I met Rob several years ago, when he was visiting a friend on  the television series, 'Joan of Arcadia'.  I showed him a guitar I had in my cutting room and he began playing everything from jazz standards to Jimi Hendrix.  We remained friends ever since that extremely, fun day.

Rob wrote an amazing piece of music entitled, 'The Call', for this past July 4th celebration (2008) for the Beloit-Janesville Symphony Orchestra, which featured a rock band and a vocalist.  He re-wrote the lyrics to reflect the content and message of my documentary and has donated it for my use on this project.  

http://www.beloitjanesvillesymphony.org/director.html 

John Francis

'MERCY FOR CITIES'

'TROUBLE IN THESE TIMES'

John Francis graciously, donated these two songs from his album, 'Strong Wine & Spirits'.   He is based in Philadelphia where we discovered we have mutual friends.

John's voice is angelic and combined with his carefully, crafted songs, he delivers music that haunts your soul and captures a slice of life in a unique, profound way.

www.johnfrancismusic.com

theGenetics

'WHAT IS A MAN WITHOUT HIS HOME'

Christopher & Jonathan Reynolds, identical twin brothers from Boston, Mass, wrote this spectacular song for this documentary.  I contacted them, back in the early Spring of 2008 after hearing their cover of 'For What It's Worth'.  

Christopher & Jonathan have been strong supporters of this project and wanted to be a part of it since day one.  This original song targets what this project is about so beautifully. 

They are graduates from Boston's Berklee College of Music and were trained classically at the highly touted Boston Conservatory.

Live instruments, warm poignant vocals, and head-nodding poetry have become the seeds of their neo-soul genre- an urban movement embodying infectious, organic grooves crafted with street-corner harmony and eye-opening lyricism.

Please check out their website and music at: 

www.thegenetics.com

SPECIAL THANKS TO:  Steven J. Robinson (Drums), Alex Staley (Bass Guitar), Chris Gordon (Electric Guitar), Gaku Murata (Acoustic Guitar), John Ellis (Mix Engineer)

Joseph Parsons

'MEMORIES'

'SHADES OF GRAY'

Joseph was with a group called 'The Gulf Peace Team' and went to the Saudi-Iraqi border to protest the war.  He made it as far as Baghdad the night the war began and stayed in the Al Rashid Hotel for the first 10 days- watching the war unfold and decimate the population.  He then became the president of the organization which morphed into a humanitarian NGO.  He spent the summer  bringing food and medicine throughout the country as well as collecting information from hospitals countrywide on the effects of the sanctions and infant mortality rates.

He has also worked with Sister Mary Scullion in Philadelphia, at Project H.O.M.E. as well as contributing his musical talents at numerous charity benefits.

I am honored to have Joseph be a part of this project.

www.josephparsons.com

Phil Nicolo & Lauren Hart

'AMERICA, THE BEAUTIFUL'

Lauren recorded, 'America, the Beautiful' and wrote a new verse as it pertains to this documentary.  Phil, graciously, donated his time at his studio in Conshohocken, PA.

I first heard Lauren’s song, 'Girl Keeps On' back in 2003 and loved it so much that I used it in one of the scenes I was editing on 'Joan of Arcadia'.  When I discovered that she was from Philadelphia, I contacted her and we became friends.

Her music has been heard on television series and soap operas including “Joan of Arcadia,” “Party of Five,” “All My Children,” and “One Life to Live,” and her critically acclaimed National Anthem is featured in the Disney feature film “Miracle.” Lauren sings the National Anthem before every Philadelphia Flyers home game.

www.laurenhart.com

David Baerwald

'STRANGER'

David collaborated with Cheryl Crow on her debut album 'Tuesday Night Music Club;' he co-wrote the songs: 'All I Wanna Do,' 'Leaving Las Vegas,' 'Strong Enough,' and 'Run, Baby, Run.' He was the opening act for Jewel during her 1997 summer concert tour and co-wrote the song 'Supermodel' with Jill Sobule. He composed the scores for the films:  'Cold Ones,' 'Undiscovered,' and 'Hurlyburly.' 

David's songs are featured on the soundtracks of: 'Reality Bites,' 'Clueless,' 'The Crossing Guard,' 'Grace of My Heart,' 'The Pledge,' 'Moulin Rouge!' - his song 'Come What May' was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and won the World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film, 'Runaway Jury,' 'Around the Bend,' 'The King,' 'Shanghai Kiss,' and 'Into the Wild.'

I first heard 'Stranger' back in 1999 when a friend of mine played it for me after we discussed a new project I was writing about a homeless, Vietnam Veteran.  I was blown away by the words and always hoped to use it someday in that project.

Years passed, and this documentary was born.  Last December,  I contacted David and without hesitation, he donated his song to this documentary.  I am very grateful and thrilled that this poignant song will be part of this project. 

Kris Kristofferson

Luis Morales

Luis is an accomplished musician and is from my hometown of Lansdale, PA, outside of the city, Philadelphia. 

We are currently collaborating & performing a new version of 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home'.  In addition, he is creating special, guitar sections that will be used throughout the documentary.

James Seward

'FOR YOU'

'ABOUT TO BREAK'

James is from the Philadelphia area and along with his back up band, Prophets in Stereo, their music focuses on social and political issues.  The song, 'For You' is about the reasons why soldiers fight for the country they love and the extreme sacrifices they make.  'About to Break' is about the devastating effects of PTSD, not only for the soldier, but their family.

James believes that this documentary, "is a necessity to the landscape of artistic and social expression.  After seeing limited footage, I felt it pertinent that the issues be brought to the forefront of our national consciousness.  I feel honored to be a part of a project that gives a voice to those without one- the uncelebrated Americans, who gave so much and asked for nothing but our respect in return."

I am grateful to James for these wonderful songs, and I want to give special thanks to my friend, Sean Timmons, who turned James onto the project.

Amanda Kaletsky

'WAIT'

Amanda's producer, my friend, Ritchie Rubini and co-writer on 'Wait' contacted me about using this song for the documentary.  I thought the lyrics were so appropriate for what this film is about. 

 Amanda wrote her thoughts to me about the song: "Wait" is a song about, well, waiting.  It's a fitting story for our young soldiers coming home, as they are sacrificing so much for us, and can only wonder if we will be here to take care of them when they come home. Like the song says, they are climbing mountains and breaking barriers for us, and it is our job to be waiting with open arms when they return."

Her song "Everything Lies" off of her second EP, "Between You & Me" was featured on season 3 of MTV's "The Hills." Amanda has shared the stage with acts such as Coldplay, who chose her as part of a nation-wide competition.  She is currently working on a third, full-length release, while continuing to perform at a variety of venues in the Northeast.

www.amandakaletsky.com