HOUSTON—The German poet Heinrich Heine once said, "Music begins when words leave off." It’s a fitting statement for Houston musicians who turned to song when words alone wouldn’t do.
They recorded a CD called "Shoulder to the Stone" to raise money for the earthquake victims still struggling in Haiti.
"They’re not necessarily famous but they’re as good as anybody you ever hear," said Saylor White, a recording artist who took part in the project.
The collaboration was born out of their hope to help after the January 12 earthquake killed more than 200,000 people. Word got around and, within days, 20 local musicians had banded together.
Proceeds from the CD will go to Jimmy Jean-Noel, a humanitarian who’d lost his mother, father and sister in a house collapse and to the Orphanage of the Child Jesus of Prague and its 35 children—all forced out of their tiny shelter.
"We know where the money’s going. We know who we’re giving it to. And we know how it’s going to get there," White said.
"Artists are always looking for ways to make a difference," said Jack Saunders, another singer who lent his talent to help Haiti. "And this was a good way for people to come together in a community sort of way and show what we’re all about here in Houston."
What began as an idea—a single night in a recording studio—grew into something bigger than they ever imagined.
"The song says, "Just so you know you’re not alone, we’ll put our shoulder to the stone," said Saunders. "And that’s what we’re trying to convey in the song, is that there are people out there that are still thinking of, you know, of the victims and doing what we can to help."
A CD release party will be held Saturday, April 3 at JP Hops House.
