- 2023-03-01
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MUSIC
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Blake Shelton, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit & Matt Sorum Cover Tom Petty's “I Won't Back Down” with The Miraculous Love Kids
American country music singer-songwriter Blake Shelton, the Eagles' Timothy B. Schmit, Joe Walsh and Matt Sorum of Guns N' Roses teamed up with The Miraculous Love Kids to release a cover of Tom Petty's “I Won't Back Down”.
The song supports a nonprofit music school, which launched in 2015 to protect and educate impoverished young women living in conflict zones and facing gender discrimination and violence in countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Before the US withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, the Miraculous Love Kids was the country's only school of music where girls and young women could participate and learn how to play the guitar.
But the Taliban banned women from working in local and foreign non-governmental organizations.
The Miraculous Love Kids founder Lanny Cordola moved his students and their families into neighboring Pakistan safely.
While they've been able to resume their musical endeavors to a certain extent and avoid the rule of the Taliban, The Miraculous Love Kids are still refugees who need a place to settle down and call home.
To show their commitment and underscore how far they've come, The Miraculous Love Kids have recorded the song.- The Miraculous Love Kids founder Lanny Cordola said, “When I was working to get the girls out of Afghanistan, 'I Won't Back Down' became our anthem to never give up no matter what the circumstances or odds in our pursuit of freedom, justice, equality, and peace. It's not only for the girls and women of Afghanistan but for all oppressed people of the world. The girls and I are honored to have Blake, Joe, Timothy, and Matt join us in spreading this message far and wide. Hopefully their involvement will bring more awareness about Afghan refugees like the girls and their quest for a better life.”
Joe Walsh said, "May music always bring you girls the inspiration and connection to a higher power that delivers you strength and joy. I'm grateful to have shared this moment with you all. Peace and love.”
His wife Marjorie Bach added, “Congrats on the wonderful work you are doing for these girls. Service to others is the key to a blessed life.”
Timothy B. Schmit said, “Lanny is a saint for being a part of these girls' lives by helping them move forward through music. Even after all they've experienced in their young lives, you can see and feel their beautiful life forces shining through.”
Matt Sorum said, “I'm so proud of my longtime friend Lanny as he has shared the gift of music with these wonderful young girls that have been through so much. The joy they feel playing music gives them much needed hope to persevere. They are an inspiration to us all. Please help them with their endeavors to relocate and spread their message of peace and love around the world.”
The original version of “I Won't Back Down” was released by American rock musician Tom Petty as the lead single from his first solo album “Full Moon Fever” in April 1989.
The song was co-written by Petty and Jeff Lynne, also his writing partner for the album.
The single reached No. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. - source : YouTube
