New York, NY (Top40 Charts) As a tribute to the victims of the
Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, twenty-one young students from Newtown, CT, along with platinum-selling singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, record "
Somewhere Over The Rainbow" at the Connecticut studio of Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, of Tom Tom Club and Talking Heads. All proceeds from the sales will benefit The Newtown Youth Academy and The United Way of Western Connecticut.
CBGB-owner Tim Hayes orchestrated the project in order to bring a ray of hope to the Newtown community in the wake of the tragedy.
"Music has the power to heal both the listener and the performers," said Executive Producer Tim Hayes. "The new arrangement of the song feels as if the young angelic adult voice, Ingrid's, is almost teaching the song to the children. First she introduces it to them, then she is joined by an innocent, yet strong chorus of voices and by the end of the song it is only the children that we hear. In fact, the children were asked to sing the song as if it was a prayer. That emotion really comes though when the children sing their 'oooos,' which transforms the recording into something truly spiritual."
"When Tim reached out to me to be a part of this recording, I was very grateful," said Ingrid Michaelson. "To be able to honor those who lost their lives is something I am incredibly humbled by."
As longtime residents of Connecticut, Frantz and Weymouth opened their home studio to the group that, including parents, swelled to 60+ people inside on a cold winter day. Giving back to the community comes naturally to the famous couple.
"I wish to send my heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people and kids involved in this beautiful recording - including those who will buy it online - for coming together to combat violence with our very best human qualities: compassion and generosity," said Tina Weymouth.
The tracks are available through worldwide digital music services via The Orchard, a New York City-based music and video distributor. To learn more about the project and watch a video from the recording session, go to https://sandyhooksomewhereovertherainbow.com/
