Filling a human need by a 'Songbird' of hope offers example for others

Kathy Songbird and the homeless man

Carol Forsloff----In virtually every city around the world, homeless people are part of the landscape, with many people thinking there is nothing they can do or that some organization should take care of the problem instead.  And then there are the negative folks who believe, and so express, that homeless people are there because they choose to be, not working and living on the dole.  But the facts belie these assumptions, and the act of one person reflects what we can all do to take responsibility for caring for the most helpless among us.

Kathy Songbird is known for her great music on Fandalism and other music sites, like SingSnap.  She has a voice that accompanies the angels on earth, which will likely be heard in heaven as well, for it soars to the heights of beauty every time she performs.  Songbird is her professional name, and the one by which she is known widely among fans and friends.  It is, however, the heart of the woman that offers an example of what we can all do to help others, even in frustrating circumstances, and potentially make a difference.

In the tradition of musicians around the world, Songbird knows she can make a difference.  It is not belief but knowledge, integrated with her devotion to faith and ethics that suggest, "I think, therefore I am."  That means she translates thoughts into action, as many musicians take their concerns about others and write songs to engage listeners and educate them about the needs of others.  Many musicians have done that, highlighting helping others in the songs they create.  That view, and behavior, are supported by musicians on Fandalism, following in the tradition of the big music stars that host concerts to help the hungry or the victims of tragedies around the world.

For several days, Songbird featured on her Facebook page her concerns about a homeless man, thought to be autistic, who has lived on the streets for an undetermined time.  In response to Songbird's entreaties for help, she heard there was nothing authorities could do or that they already knew about the man, in a fashion that indicated there had been a history of trying to help the man that either had failed or the help refused.  It was likely that, as often Songbird found the man somewhat uncooperative in providing either information or advancing the notion of going to some shelter for assistance.  Instead he remained on the street, as Kathy sought to find help for the man, whose inability to express himself in a way to be understood could at times be frustrating.

Songbird's goal was to find good friend or family who might reach out, recognize the man and take responsibility for ongoing help.  She did not stop with that, however, but brought him food, clothing and the warmth of friendship, every day, including the holidays with the support of her husband, Dean.

Presently the man seems to have disappeared, as he is no longer at the same location where he had been for a long time.  No one knows if he received help or not, but those facts will be found as Songbird learns through her consistent asking and involvement with the authorities in her town in Missouri.

If the homeless man Songbird has been helping is found on the streets again, this publication will focus on his situation, together with close-up photos to give an opportunity for people to see the man and possibly locate family.

This example of one person's caring for another in a direct way highlights the truth that one man can make a difference.  Yes, it takes work, thought and reaching out in many ways; but that's what love is all about in Kathy's world and the world of humanitarian affairs. And if you don't want to do it Kathy's way, here are 35 other ways you can.

Musical performance of 'One God' brings sense of song's immortality

[caption id="attachment_22113" align="alignleft" width="560"] Performers Kathy Songbird and Mark Hall[/caption]

Carol Forsloff--In the world of music many songs have been forgotten, that were uplifting at the time they were written, then put on a back shelf and seldom heard again.  But one has been brought back, dusted off, renewed and made particularly beautiful with the superb talents of a songstress named Kathy Songbird and a pianist/music producer of consummate skill, Mark Hall.  The song is of the nature that it brings a sense of immortality to music, the kind for whom fine music was created.

The song "One God" was performed by Mario Lanza more than 50 years ago, although no permanent recording of it can be found.  Later Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis sang it in a duet.  The Streisand - Mathis rendition is part of YouTube offerings, yet it languishes at times in the heap of non-music material as well as lesser tunes without the same level of skill and measure of permanence and perfection as this great song, "One God."

This time, with the new recording by Hall and Songbird,  the song simply soars on what feels like the wings of peace itself, as it reminds us over and over in the stanzas throughout that God belongs to us all, regardless of race, religion, culture, location, and that wherever man prays, answers come.

Often the message there is one God is forgotten in the hue and cry of what's better and who's better and the message of everlasting love given by the great prophets of man's antiquity is lost in the din of political and religious strife.  Yet when we focus on what binds us as creation, what rises above all other issues, to affirm our unity, our connections and our every-lasting spirits that make us special in what has been called the likeness of God, we are reminded we are more alike than we are different.  Because we all have a relationship with the Creator, each in our own way.  In fact, it is often said that each man finds his path, and on that path is often found the Divine.

As James Henry Leigh Hunt tells us, God loves those who don't believe in Him but do indeed practice the love He offers to all, regardless of where they may be and what their faults and foibles might occur.  In that poem "Abou Ben Adhem" the message brought by an angel tells us in God's Book of Gold one who practices love is honored most.

In affirmation of "One God" is the song composed by Ervin Drake and Jimmy Shirl.  It is the kind of song that is memorable for many reasons,  with its lyrics and melody.  But it is made even more memorable by talented professionals who have the distinction of making music special with everything they perform.  In this case, that special performance of Songbird and Hall was reinforced in its final mixing by the detailed music brush of Darcy Jeavons, with just her bits of musical angel dust to make what was already golden, shine with added brilliance.

"One God", now on YouTube and Fandalism,  is performed by the soprano known as Kathy Songbird, whose thrilling voice has captured the hearts of thousands of her friends and followers, and the masterful piano of Mark Hall, whose music is heralded by many musicians as among the best. His production mastery reveals the truest measure of beauty for the song.   The video contains pictures of people of various faiths in worship and in prayer, along with pictures of God's creation, focusing not on any sectarian view but one that represents a universal representation of God and His love, regardless of the names by which He is known among men, for the song reminds us there is one God, loving us all. Additional pictures are provided from the Forsloff collection of photos from World Religion Day in Shreveport in 2008.   The song is for all seasons, all faiths and for people everywhere as a reminder of how all men and all creation are part of the world of one God.

On New Year's Day let us celebrate together a new beginning, as we would like those kindergarten children who, as told related by Robert Fulghum in  All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten  reminded us, hold hands as they cross the street.  And as we cross the streets throughout our lives, it's a message that might ring well for us all, the message of One God that we are all God's children, united by His love.

The song can be found at two locations, and others will be posted as updates to this article:

http://fandalism.com/carolforsloff/cEGl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1vc442zo-0

 

Behind the veil, a song reflects the most beautiful love of Christmas

Kathy Songbird

Carol Forsloff---Many of us are familiar with the singing duos of the famous deceased singers with their relatives, still alive, like Elvis Presley and his daughter Lisa, or Nat King Cole with his daughter, Natalie, or Frank Sinatra and his daughter Nancy.  But seldom do we see that combination between friends on Facebook or on other social media sites.  In the case of a December musical offering, it is the very example of how many ways love is shared at the holidays and other times.

The musician known as Kathy Songbird posted a song that indeed is a reflection of one person's love for another that goes beyond the ordinary.  She had met an elderly gentleman on SingSnap, a musician's site where performers sing to recorded instrumentals.   Kathy had performed the song "I've Got a Crush on You"with Jack, that elderly gentleman, some time before he died last week.  As a memorial, she has again performed the song, this time using his voice with hers in harmony.

Most of these videos on SingSnap are individually made through the site, and at various times singers combine their talents.  The result of Kathy's performance with Jack becomes a message of love that will brings tears to the eyes of those who learn the backstory of the song's production and the heart that brings it to all of us now.

Kathy Songbird is one of the more popular and beautiful songstresses of Fandalism, another site that attracts musicians throughout the world, and that includes those who play their own instruments, and those who don't, those who sing and those who don't, but all who perform music to share with everyone.  Her soaring soprano touches hearts many times. It is, however, the heart of the woman that goes beyond all that to bring this special Christmas gift.  For indeed it is a gift, to reach through the veil of death and return life to a voice we can all share, while she shares it in song.

The song is here, embedded in this article, as one of those moments that at holidays, or any day when we want to soar with the love of goodness, the song "I've Got a Crush on You" that most people could never hear again after this without thinking of how the song was made and why.

Enjoy for today and tomorrow the song, and the message of how one life touches another beyond death and across the digital world to offer all of us the highest example of what love means in all its beautiful ways.

When I Fall in Love becomes video sensation from great musical combo

[caption id="attachment_16431" align="alignleft" width="180"] Kathy Songbird[/caption]

Carol Forsloff — If you love great show tunes, the songs that made a hit on Broadway, the great singers like Judy Garland and Julie Andrews, well here's your chance to find that same magic at the tip of your finger. A video that stands out as not just an ordinary video but a magic of song and the talents of two performers whose wedded talents would make any critic beam.

Kathy "Songbird," as that is her professional name,  has a vocal range that makes folks shiver in anticipation the moment she opens her mouth to sing. She can hit the high notes with ease while reaching to the lower registers with aplomb. And she does it with feeling. This is a singer who knows how to interact with an audience so delightfully that those who listen feel they are in her living room, sitting on a fine, easy chair with all the captivating visuals that one could ever want for atmosphere.

The video has Kathy's voice and the masterful instrumentals of "Sticky" Sugar Hopkins, also known as Yawroc. This producer is able to make visual artistry at a level seldom seen on ordinary videos. He takes color, animation, ideas and images, and connects and weaves these with the sounds of his guitar, and other instruments he either plays or provides in electronic form, to create a masterpiece digitally every bit as great as artists capture on canvas.

"When I Fall in Love" is a song made famous by Nat King Cole. That love song brings memories to many of the kind of love people dream they might experience. The doorway to the song on this video is filled with magical images, of the fireplace, the snowy day, the lights and candles, the  greenery mixed with the white landscapes and the beauty of man and woman in love.

This journalist asked Hopkins how this great collaboration occurred. Both are members of Fandalism, a site for more than half a million musicians and counting. So there is an abundance of talent on the many musical sites, of artists from around the world. Still the video and the music of Hopkins and the Songbird, stand out as a masterpiece among many masterpieces of collaboration taking place on this site. It was created for that purpose certainly, and that activity has brought joy to the many musicians eager to find each other and seek new adventures in music. So it was important to learn just how these two separately fine artists collaborated to achieve this astounding piece of work.

Hopkins told me:  "I have always been a die- hard fan of Nat King Cole, the warm feeling it brings to me when listening to this man's voice.. When I fall in Love has always been a particular and special piece to me. When I first heard Kathy's voice I was absolutely knocked sideways, I just could not believe that a lady with a voice as she has is not a top star on Broadway because that is where she should be right now! It is not just her singing ability that shines through for me, she does not just sit in front of a camera and sing, she interacts with the audiences that are looking in.  For me she is an all around great vocalist and performer."

[caption id="attachment_16430" align="alignleft" width="226"] Producer, Musician, Sticky Sugar Hopkins/Yawroc[/caption]

Hopkins goes on to speak of his excitement in finding Kathy, that it could be Kathy on that hilltop singing "The hills are alive with the Sound of Music. I suggested to Kathy one day to allow me to make a video to make her voice and song shine through, something nice and real special.  I was listening to the radio one day, and Nat King Cole was singing, "When I Fall In Love." This was a message to me to take that song and do something with it, and I knew right away that was a place for Kathy. "

For Kathy, the decision was easy. She observes, "Sticky is the kind of producer and musician who should have great recognition. He is a true genius in putting this video together. I was thrilled to be a part of it."

And you, good reader, will be likewise thrilled when you hear the voice of Kathy Songbird in the frame of Sugar "Sticky" Hopkins/Yawroc in a video that is sure to remain in your memory for a long, long time. It is here for your enjoyment.