River of my Love: Song Recording Project with Margie Johnson

Hello! My name is Kael Reid and I'm raising funds to for a recording project that is very special and dear to my heart.

Over the past few weeks, I have been collaborating with my friend, Margie Johnson, on a songwriting project about her life. You may be wondering why this project is so special.

Back in November, Margie - who lives in Guelph with her wife, Shannon, and their daughter Sequoia - was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). As you likely know, ALS affects the function of nerves and muscles and it is a terminal disease, with no treatment or cure.

So far, Margie, Shannon, and Sequoia, who have been a part of the Guelph community for many years, have been well-supported by friends, family, and beyond, which is incredible. Fundraisers have provided the much-needed financial support to help them navigate additional expenses related to ALS. People drop by their house regularly to help with chores, errands, and appointments. They come for visits and to accompany Margie to outings in the community. They bring and share meals. They hold a weekly guitar club on Friday afternoons. There is massage, art, and gardening happening. The community support around Margie, Shannon, and Sequoia is heart-warming.

Margie and I have been meeting each week to compose her song, “River of my Love” and it’s gorgeous! With this song, Margie will have a musical memento about her life to give to her family, friends, and community to remember her by.

This is where it gets more exciting. Margie and I are going to produce a studio recording of the song with Don Kerr (Toronto). Don is an amazing producer, musician, and all-round stellar human and he is thrilled to be a part of this project. He is even donating some of his time to help make this happen. What a guy – thank-you so much, Don! (https://donkerr.ca)

Even more exciting is that Rainbow Chorus Waterloo-Wellington is going to sing background vocals on the song, too. The Rainbow Chorus is a community choir that has been in existence for 30 years. It includes members of all genders, sexualities, and gender expressions, and allies of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Choir members come with all levels of singing and choral experience and they sing beautifully together.

But, many members of the Rainbow Chorus aren’t yet aware they are going to be invited to take part in this project! Margie and I just began to coordinate this part of the project with their choir director, Alison MacNeill. So, if you know someone in the Rainbow Chorus in Guelph or happen to be a member yourself – surprise! :-)We hope you will join in, and we can’t wait to work with you all to turn this song into something extraordinary.

This is where everyone’s financial support and generosity comes in! To make this recording, we need to raise $3750. This will pay for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering in Don’s studio as well as additional studio musicians. Once the studio recording is done, Don will come to Guelph to record the choir’s background vocals in Harcourt Memorial United Church and add those to the song.

If you are able to support this creative project, that would be better than wonderful. We would be so grateful if you could help us bring Margie’s beautiful song to life – a song that will be cherished by so many friends, family, and community members, and of course, Margie herself. Every little bit of money helps! Please help us reach our goal of $3750. Any money raised above our goal will go directly to Margie, Shannon, and Sequoia to use for anything they wish.

Finally, help us spread the word! Please share this fundraiser with other people who know and love Margie, Shannon, and Sequoia.

EVERYONE WHO DONATES WILL GET A DIGITAL COPY OF THE SONG!

On behalf of Margie, Shannon, Sequoia, and myself, thank you so much.

Warmly,

Kael Reid