Thanks for joining me Over Coffee
A writer by passion and profession, I've been writing since I was old enough to know how, so establishing a weblog
seemed a natural progression. By adding a blog to my site, I can speak about my passions and life, share my writing, art
and photos, and comment on current events.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
All These People...Helping People
The work in the Gulf has just begun. Rescue and relief efforts last year were only a small part of the help needed by residents. The recovery and rebuilding of impacted parts of the Gulf Coast region will take years.
Harry Connick Jr. carries a man too weak to stand to a boat to get him help. (Photo courtesy of MSNBC)
Immediately after Katrina struck New Orleans, local Harry Connick Jr. traveled down there to observe, to report and to help. On Sept. 1 and 2, he reported live from the Convention Center and outside his hotel, reporting on conditions and the needs of the people trapped in New Orleans. Television footage later showed him in fishing waders up to his chest exploring his family's neighborhood and helping a man too weak to leave his New Orleans home get to safety.
Connick and other artists from the Gulf region, including fellow New Orleans native Branford Marsalis, participated in telethons to raise money for the immediate relief of the people in those dire circumstances.
Now, Connick and Marsalis are spearheading a project with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for the New Orleans musicians who lost everything--Operation Home Delivery and the Musicians Village. Connick has released a song, "All These People," written about what he witness to raise money for the project.
"ALL THESE PEOPLE," was inspired by the suffering Harry witnessed first hand after Hurricane Katrina. All proceeds from the sale of the song, written and composed by Connick and performed by the acclaimed singer/pianist in duet with gospel singer Kim Burrell, will benefit New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village.
"All These People" is the featured single on Harry's upcoming album "Oh My Nola" due out this fall.
I've always been a casual fan of him and his music (and acting), but what I witnessed last year and now again, just ups my admiration for him as a person as well as a performer.
