Passion Making Beautiful Music in Detroit

It's amazing what passion can do. As I write this, I'm sitting in a studio in downtown Detroit watching an incredible group of musicians come together for a cause. The cause is helping fellow Detroiters who are down on their luck and need a helping hand. We've barely started and already I have chills.

We got together with Harmonie Park Media Group to record a song for the Capuchin Soup Kitchen's annual SOCK event. Well known local singers, members of nationally known Detroit bands and some new talent just breakinginto the scene are combining their talents in a "we are the world" type tribute. The energy is palpable in the studio. The vibe is very upbeat and everyone is excited to do their part.

This is the same kind of energy I'm finding all over Detroit today. People are coming together in the spirit of hope and optimism for what we can accomplish together. I felt it last week at the DIA when TedX Detroit was going on – although that was at a much larger scale. Today, it's smaller but much more personal. It's something I can feel vibrating through the air. Everyone is giving of their time for free, the studio, the musicians, the technical people, the video crew, writers and arrangers, a local radio celebrity who's doing interviews, those of at The Yaffe Group and Harmonie Park. Because it's something we all believe in. And it's the right thing to do.

People in Detroit have always been willing to lend a helping hand and work hard to create success for those who need it most. I've been involved in a lot of these kinds of things over the years. But, today is special. I don't know if I can describe the true feeling here. For one thing, we're just laying down the music track and in the control room filled with about 15 or so people, half of them are just spontaneously singing along. the rest are bobbing and swaying. It may sound corny, but that's not the feeling in the room at all. It's that kind of vibe today.

The soup kitchen brought us food for lunch, sandwiches and a very tasty stuffed pepper soup. It was the same lunch that they served their clients today. Helped get us all in the spirit even more.

Now the singers are in the studio singing to the tracks we laid down earlier. They have a different vibe than the musicians – spending much of the down time verbally jousting with each other. Then, as soon at the track starts to roll they blend seamlessly into a one voice of many voices. It is a perfect metaphor for what will pick Detroit up – if we can all set aside our barbs and blend our many voices into one, we can do wonders. Later, each singer takes their turn in the spotlight, highlighting their individual talents. Again, you have to work together, but that doesn't mean you have to hide or downplay your individual talents.

Well, that was my amazing day. It was something I really needed personally. We've all been working really hard lately and a day immersed in a project like this was good for my mind, body and soul! A big thank you to the everyone involved. More on the song and video later – the CD/DVD will be available and your contributions can help the Capuchins in their valuable work, helping Detroiters.

Mike McClure, music lover, loving life in the D