Bonnie Raitt’s writing about the impact that John Prine’s song “Angel of Montgomery” – “Just give me one thing that I can hold on to, to believe in this living is just a hard way to go” – had on her writing her GRAMMY winning song “Just Like That” (included in an edited version below) is an example of the power of music. John Prine’s song is also so relevant for us in these difficult times.
Her song is going to inspire many to support organizations that promote organ donation or to provide an organ themselves.
Peter Prichard
-Website/Blog- https://lnkd.in/gygJ37b
BONNIE RAITT RESPONDS TO FANS REGARDING HER GRAMMY WIN
“I wanted to respond to the incredible outpouring of messages that have come in since my song, “Just Like That,” won the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs award last Sunday night for Song of the Year.
I’ve been so deeply moved, often to tears, reading the personal stories of hundreds of you, some of whom have had no familiarity with me or my music before I won that GRAMMY, and were curious why this song had won.
So many messages were from nurses and doctors in the field involved with transplants as well as people who were tragically not able to get an organ in time to save their loved one’s life.
I am so honored that my song and the original news story that inspired it, are eliciting such a deep emotional response for so many. The story behind the song is this: A few years ago I saw a segment on the evening TV news where they followed a woman who was meeting the man who had received her son’s heart for the first time. It was very emotional, but when he invited her to put her head on his chest and listen to her son’s heart, I just lost it. I knew after it stayed with me for weeks, that I wanted to write my own story, inspired so much by John Prine’s music and his beautiful “Angel From Montgomery,” which I’ve sung every show since hearing it in the early 70’s. I wrote about a fictional woman, Olivia Zand, torn by grief and guilt at the loss of her young son, who finds redemption and grace through the loving act of another.
May the song bring about even more awareness and motivation for more of us to support organ donation registration and infrastructure — removing obstacles that have hindered helping thousands connecting to facilitate this miraculous gift of life and help bring comfort to those suffering such tragic loss. I’ve included a link below to a wonderful Op-Ed by Dr. Maureen McBride, the interim CEO of United Network for Organ Sharing in USA TODAY, in which she lays out why these programs need more support and the ways we can all help.
Blessings to you,
Bonnie
https://lnkd.in/e6Av6em4 — BRHQ
Photo by Ken Friedman
P.S. To read these many responses, please visit the “Just Like That” lyric video at the following link and read the comments below the video. https://lnkd.in/eaAtq4N4