As the mother of a child that was diagnosed with Cancer, this CD and the story behind it just pulls at my heart.
Alastair Moock, one of Boston’s folk luminaries and an award-winning family music recording artist, will release a new album, Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World’s Bravest Kids. Inspired by his family’s experience with childhood leukemia, the new album includes songs for children with cancer, and for all families who like joyous sing-along songs.
Last July one of Alastair Moock’s twin 5-year-old daughters was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia). “It felt like we were drowning.” says Moock. “For the first week or so, my wife and I walked around the hospital in a trance. Then I went home and got my guitar.” Over the course of the next hospital-bound month, Alastair and his daughter Clio, sang and wrote songs together in her room. “It was amazing how her mood brightened in those moments. The effect was tangible.”
After Clio returned home and cancer treatment became the new normal for the Moock family, Alastair continued to write songs about the experience. “Singing together in the hospital was transformative, not just for Clio but for me. It reminded me how powerful music can be,” says Moock, “and I wanted to bring that experience to other kids and families going through the same thing.”
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Singing Our Way Through:
Songs for the World’s Bravest Kids
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A crowd-funding campaign through GoFundMe raised more than $27,600 for Singing Our Way Through in early 2013, soaring well past the initial goal of $10,000. Funds from this campaign will support distribution of the album as a free resource for patients and pediatric oncology programs around the country. Already, Alastair has donated to Boston Children’s Hospital and the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang camp in CT. CD sales will further support Moock’s effort to get these tunes in the hands of kids and families with cancer.
There is a seriousness of purpose to the songs on Singing Our Way Through, but also a great deal of joy. In songs like “When I Get Bald,” Moock demonstrates his ability to be both playful and pointed at the same time. “There’s so much you can’t control about cancer,” says Moock, “but what interests me most as a writer – and a parent of a kid with cancer – are the parts you can control. Being bald is cool if we choose to make it cool.”
Guest artists for Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World’s Bravest Kids include blues legend Chris Smither, folk singer Aoife O’Donovan (vocalist for the 2013 Grammy-winning Goat Rodeo Sessions, Best Folk Album), Mark Erelli and family music artists Rani Arbo, The Okee Dokee Brothers (2013 Grammy winners, Best Children’s Album) and Elizabeth Mitchell (2013 Grammy-nominee, Best Children’s Album).
Suggested retail price for Singing Our Way Through is $15. Supporters are invited to suggest children’s hospitals and other childhood oncology programs for album donations and appearances by visiting www.singingourway.com.
Sugar Mountain PR is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a copy of Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World’s Bravest Kids! Thank you Sugar Mountain PR for the review copy and for sponsoring this special giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
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