Shortly after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Joanie Leeds approached me about doing a benefit song and donating the proceeds to the Haitian people. I was very much interested in doing anything I could to help the victims of the earthquake, but I wasn’t sure this was the “quickest” way to show my support. However, Joanie’s request was intriguing and I felt she was on to something stellar.
I had been wanting to record a new version of my song, A World of Happiness, and told Joanie that her idea could facilitate my year-long desire. More so, it would allow me to create a brand new version of the title song from my 2004 album release of the same name. While the original recording of the song was phenomenal, with lead vocals from the legendary Lou Rawls, I wanted to update it and, given the plethora of kindie artists these days, this was the perfect opportunity. It would also provide me with the opportunity to work with a some fantastic musicians that I became acquainted with at last year’s KindieFest and throughout my time serving this genre.
I first approached Marty Beller, the drummer from They Might Be Giants. He immediately agreed to contribute his talents to the song. Then, Jack Forman from Recess Monkey agreed to play the bass. Chris Ballew (aka Caspar Babypants and PUSA fame) came on board for guitar. After that, Chris Wiser from Sugar Free Allstars joined in on the organ and then Ray Anderson (Mr. Ray) gelled it all together with his rocking electric guitars.
This past summer, I did a session in Chicago with The Happiness Club, along with some of the artists listed below. Shure Microphones was kind enough to lend me their studio, where we also recorded The Verve Pipe, Ralph Covert (of Ralph’s World fame) and Peter DiStefano among others. Joanie Leeds then did a session in New York, which was engineered by Kevin Salem of Little Monster Records. I couldn’t be more pleased with how smoothly everything has gone so far. The revised track is sounding really, really big!
Joanie is going to come to Los Angeles in mid January to help me select the vocals and finish the track. We should have it all complete by February, including a hip hop remix by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. We will then pick a charity and begin to sell the song digitally.
Personnel on the track:
Jack Forman, Drew Holloway, Daron Henry of Recess Monkey
(Photo by Kevin Fry)
Brian Vander Ark, Donny Brown of The Verve Pipe
(Photo by Amy Mueller)
Ralph Covert of Ralph’s World
(Photo by Jim Newberry)
Ray Andersen – “Mr. Ray”
The Happiness Club
(Photo by Amy Mueller)
Joanie Leeds of Joanie Leeds & the Nightlights
Key Wilde of Key Wilde & Mr. Clark
Chris Wiser of Sugar Free Allstars on organ
(Photo by Candi Coffman-McKinney)
Chris Ballew of Caspar Babypants on guitar
Billy Kelly on guitar
Marty Beller of They Might Be Giants on drums
Lloyd Miller of The Deedle Deedle Dees
Bari Koral of Bari Koral Family Rock Band
Justin Lansing and Joe Mallander of the Okee Dokee Brothers
(Photo by Alex Johnson)
Brady Rymer of Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could
Jon Samson of CoCreative Music
Peter DiStefano
(Photo by Lene Saint-Orens)
Sarah George
(Photo by Lene Saint-Orens)
Tim Kubart of Tim and the Space Cadets
(Photo by Amy Mueller)
Molly Ledford of Lunch Money
(Photo from Live at the Jam Room – December Show)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kiki's Faces . Kiki's Faces said: RT @joanieleeds: Check out the story behind the World of Happiness project by Joanie Leeds & Tor Hyams http://kindiecast.com/2011/01/the … [...]
[...] Tor and Joanie got all dressed up and recorded this video. They have a fabulous project in the works and want to share the excitement with you. Check [...]
[...] The Happiness Project is quickly becoming a reality and we want to know your thoughts. After much consideration, we’ve narrowed down our choices to just a few charities that we’re passionate about. [...]