In an essay entitled "Melodies and Me," written for a college English class a few months before his death, Louis ended with this heartfelt wish: "I hope that, when I die, my music will live on forever." May his memory be a blessing.
Louis Raymond Case Debruge – March 4, 1997 to December 4, 2014
- Free As The Sun is going to bring healing to countless individuals.
- 1,000 copies of the CD and 500 copies of the book will be printed by mid-December 2015 when the project is fully funded!
- Sample copies will be provided to therapists working in dual-diagnosis residential settings around the country, settings much like the ones in which Louis began his work of disclosure & healing.
- The silence about abuse and the shame of addiction are broken one voice at a time....
- Our goal will be reached one committed backer at a time!
visit www.freeasthesun.com to learn more
- Five Track CD produced by Marv Ross of Quarterflash! Marv has brought Lou's voice to life with the help of some of Portland's best recording, engineering, mastering, graphics art and CD replication stars!
- Features four original songs composed and written by Louis. Fifth track is All Diamonds by Quarterflash, from their most recent CD Love Is a Road.
- Marv Ross (guitar/bass) and Gregg Williams (drums) accompany Louis Debruge (vocals, guitar), Shea Mackinnon (vocals, guitar & percussion) and Tristyn Meek (vocals).
- Rob Stroup (8 Ball Studio) & Gregg Williams (the Trench Studio) of Portland are project engineers
- CD Cover Art by Zap! Graphics (Keith Buckley)
- CD Reproduction by Crave Dog in Portland
- CD Mastered by Ryan Foster of Foster Mastering, Portland
The 130 page book includes 30 poems & song lyrics as well as essays and journal excerpts Lou wrote between 2009 and 2014 (ages 12-17) Louis' work and his story will be an invaluable, unique resource for healing. It will become an important therapy tool in residential treatment centers. Lou's story will find its way into the hands of professionals who work with recovery programs, with troubled teens, and with adult survivors of abuse. Lou's counselor, Donald Wright, believes in this project. "We need a more story-centered approach in my field," he says.
- Part I: Lou's Song Lyrics and Poetry
- Part 2: Lou's Essays and Journal Writing
- Part 3: Other Voices - Contributions by Judge Neal Lemery, Randy Ellison, Tyler Tully, Andrew Willis & Melanie Blow (Stop Abuse Campaign) - advocates and teachers for survivors of abuse
- Part 4: Study Guide - offers suggestions for using the songs and the writings in individual or group therapeutic settings or for personal journal work
- Part 5: Reading & Resources
Book edited by Rhonda Lee Case (Lou's mom)
Rindy Ross (licensed mental health counselor with 15 years experience in therapeutic practice) has this to say about the book: "Lou’s speaking out and his mother's painful quest to shine a light on the darkness of abuse and its repercussions will be such a helpful resource to others who feel alone and defeated."
When Lou and Shea were in middle school, they were sure they were destined to be career performers together. At 17 years old, Lou was enrolled full time in community college and talking about a new dream. He was thinking about working as a counselor, making music part of his therapeutic practice. Bruce Zufelt (Lou's counselor at NWBHS when Lou was in treatment there at age 15) recognized that Louis had the true gifts of a wounded healer. Louis led a workshop for his peers called "Using Poetry and Music to Heal from Trauma." Staff and clients alike were amazed by the power of what Louis shared that day. Lou and Shea are still destined to be friends singing together -- not in the same way* -- but in a new way.
*(Louis and Shea in 2013 singing "I Can Tell" by the White Stripes)
The Free As The Sun Project Budget below shows clearly that we are going to make good use of every dollar our Backers and Sponsors contribute! All musicians and artists involved in this project are being compensated at a fair wage (though many are offering their courtesy rates.) This includes our musician friends willing to provide us Rewards! This project is Portland Perfect. We're keeping it local & homegrown but thinking global about the possible outreach for Lou's music and book. Thank you for "kicking in" and for spreading the word between October 18 and November 16, 2015. We believe in this project and we believe in Goodness and we believe in Lou's voice -- and in you! We're "all diamonds."
Risks and challenges
It is a challenge to talk openly about the pain of childhood trauma. The nature of the material is highly personal and includes disclosures about childhood abuse which some may find difficult to face. This project's sole/soul goal is one of healing. We believe that Louis' story will serve the public good as it will help to further break the silence surrounding childhood abuse. We are willing to run great risks to see that Louis' voice is heard - loud and clear - as he left it for us to share. May his memory be a blessing.
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Funding period
- (30 days)