Friends, we're getting into the final days of the Abolitionist Hymnal kickstarter funding season. Thanks so much for making this project a possibility. We've been rehearsing the tunes and working on writing some new ones, and after this weekend we'll start working on your rewards! If you have anyone else who might be interested in supporting this project as a backer, let them know that this is their final chance. Of course they can always just buy the cds later too!

We also wanted to let everyone know that since you showed such confidence and excitement about this project that all backers at every level will be receiving a free copy of the initial cd as our thanks to you. Of course, those who signed up for the other rewards will get those also.

Again, thanks, and get ready for sharing in an important resource intent on bringing freedom to enslaved people around the world!

Carl

Met tonight with Trista and Nick Dymond, co-conspiritors in the Abolitionist Hymnal, at their house near Clarkston. Had a great time talking music, community, parties, and even some geek stuff. All three of us are eager to begin our weekly sessions piecing together the songs for the project. We'll be gathering and perfecting the ones already written along with writing some new ones.

But we realized also that we're probably going to need your help in gathering up more freedom songs to repurpose to fight human trafficking today. So, below is a list of what we're looking for, please send along the duly credited texts or link to them on the net. And thanks for joining the anti-slavery movement!

Looking for:

1) Song texts from the 19th Century abolitionist movement - preferably texts that lend themselves to singing in Christian worship services,
2) We realize that some songs need some editing to fit with today's realities of human slavery. If you find some energy and time to edit a text, please do and send your edited version along! We just ask that you send along the original also so we can see the comparison.
3) It's important that we're working with public domain texts, please check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain to learn more about that designation.

In the near future we'll be looking for graphic artists, web developers, and other music biz folks who might like to offer some of their expertise as well. For now, though, have fun scouring libraries, old churches, the internet, or wherever you might find some good anti-slavery hymns!

Carl

Invisible Children is putting together this Kickstarter and it looks pretty great. Just another example of musicians fighting human slavery today!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/750755607/take-away-shows-in-uganda-with-polyphonic-spree...

Carl

Ladies and gentlemen it has been a BIG week for the Abolitionist Hymnal! I was quite surprised last Sunday as the 611 Community at Clarkston UMC said they were pledging $.611 x 3000 toward the project. They along with the other large gifts we were pledged really show the "church of God waking!" Now we are only $517 away from the goal!

Of course, with still over 40 days to go, we have even more opportunities to extend the runway underneath this project. Remember, there is no maximum that can be pledged, and any community that wants to see this project happen to its fullest (and beyond!) can still pledge.

As for the debut concert tour, it looks like we've at least 5 stops to make and we're really looking forward to that. Hopefully at each stop we can entice another group to join us on stage for a little preview of the remix album!

Again, so much thanks to 611 for getting us so far this week and to the rest of our great backers making this project happen! You all truly have earned the name "Abolitionists!"

Carl

Report in from Chris Momany:

"On Wednesday, January 20, a package of five bills passed the Michigan House of Representatives aimed at stopping human trafficking in our state. The legislation defines various expressions of “trafficking,” clarifies penalties for those convicted of the crime, and addresses issues of restitution for survivors. This is very similar to the legislation passed in the Michigan House two years ago that "died" in the Senate. The bills are HBs # 5575, 5576, 5577, 5578, and 5579. They can be viewed on the official State of Michigan website: www.legislature.mi.gov.

Now it is on to the Senate Judiciary Committee . . . "

Reality of the ongoing fight. I hope these songs can help our communities put pressure on legislatures for more action like this!

Carl

Below is the preface to "The Anti-Slavery Harp" printed online at:
http://utc.iath.virginia.edu/abolitn/absowwbahp.html

This is the web site that we've been gleaning texts from for the Abolitionist Hymnal. Feel free to explore!

Carl
"The Anti-Slavery Harp
Compiled by William W. Brown
Boston: Bela Marsh, 1848

PREFACE.

THE demand of the public for a cheap Anti-Slavery Song-Book, containing Songs of a more recent composition, has induced me to collect together, and present to the public, the songs contained in this book.

In making this collection, however, I am indebted to the authors of the "Liberty Minstrel," and "the Anti-Slavery Melodies." But the larger portion of these songs has never before been published; some have never been in print.

To all true friends of the Slave, the Anti-Slavery Harp is respectfully dedicated.

W. W. BROWN

BOSTON, JUNE, 1848.

Nick and Trista Dymond. First of all, they are awesome. Second of all, they will be the basis of the musical team putting together the first iteration of The Abolitionist Hymnal. Third, they got connections. Nick has apparently been busy putting some studio time together for this project and we are eagerly awaiting the completion of the funding stage so we can get to recording these songs for y'all!

So, if you are friends with Nick and Trista and are eager to hear their contributions to the abolitionist hymns, tell your friends to head on over here to kickstarter and give this album a shot at being made!

Carl