In June of 2020, more than 25 million viewers in 75 countries watched the My Earth Songs Virtual Live Concert, a global initiative with Vivendi in support of UNICEF COVID-19 relief for children. Music from this family concert, led by American keyboardist, singer-songwriter and producer Lonnie Park and the Earth Band and Grammy winner Ricky Kej, will be released as an album titled ‘My Earth Songs’ on August 28, 2020, with all proceeds going to UNICEF.
Artists represented on My Earth Songs include six Grammy winners from around the world: United Nations Global Humanitarian Artist Ricky Kej from India, acclaimed Senegalese singer Baaba Maal, U.S. family musicians Lucy Kalantari and Jon Samson, South African flutist Wouter Kellerman, and two-time Grammy winner Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea. Also featured are Canadian flutist Ron Korb and Indian bassist and composer Dominic D’Cruz.
“Ricky Kej and an amazing group of musicians are joining us to inspire. They’re calling on us all to imagine a better world for every child,” said Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF
My Earth Songs delivers complex topics in bite-sized chunks packed with meaning that children can effortlessly assimilate. Every one of these fun, positive, and singalong-able songs has a catchy tune with simple, memorable lyrics. Focusing on what’s needed to ensure a clean, green world for generations to come, each track was inspired by one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“My work with Ricky Kej has seen us performing at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and Geneva, the WHO headquarters, and at UNICEF and UNESCO events,” explains My Earth Songs’ co-creator, Lonnie Park. “As we witnessed complicated issues playing out on the world stage, it became apparent that getting adults to adopt new practices is difficult, but if we could teach the children early about taking care of each other and the planet, it could literally change the world. The best way we knew how to make that happen was through music.”
“Ever since I won my Grammy Award in 2015, I have dedicated my life and music to creating environmental consciousness and climate change awareness,” says Ricky Kej. “My Earth Songs aims at enlightening children through music, igniting in them a spark to spread consciousness among everyone with whom they interact. This young movement will spur a revolution to restore our planet and help it breathe easy again!”
My Earth Songs will be available at all major online outlets.
What an amazing team of incredible talents! Thank you for the beautiful music you bring to this world.