The Border Songs CD is a compilation of spoken word and music addressing the catastrophic effects of US border policy. The CD was officially released October 12, 2012. We hope to raise nearly $100,000 for No More Deaths / No Más Muertes.
The Border Songs CD is available online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bordersongs. Twenty dollars from each sale goes directly to No More Deaths/No Más Muertes.

4,920 Gallons of Water

Did that really happen? Did we really have an incredible concert with standing room only–the biggest audience anyone can remember in the CCA? With your help, we sold a LOT of albums and made a bundle of money for No More Deaths. Thank you so much! Here are numbers:

$1960 collected in CD sales
$ 364 donations at the door
$ 171 from the bar

We’ve sold 143 albums in the first week in Flagstaff.

TOTAL: $2495 + $900 in pre and post sales = $3,395 for No More Deaths! That’s the equivalent of 4,920 gallons of water (or the equivalent in food and medical supplies for people who need it. And we also sold $329 worth of paintings by a deported fellow in Nogales who is trying to pull his life together by painting.

Hearing an Arizona audience all sing “This Land is your Land,” all together, was a truly moving experience! That had to be one of the most eclectic concerts ever and everyone loved it. Thank you so much to all, artists and audience, you really did something beautiful! I will never forget Oct. 12, 2012!

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Eclectic Sounds with a Common Thread

Wondering what exactly you will find on the Border Songs CD when you pick up your copy at the October 12th Release Concert? We have all the details for you below including the musicians that will perform at the concert.

The two-CD set features 31 performances in both English and Spanish from a variety of different genres and styles: blues, corrido, cumbia, folk/Americana, hip hop, instrumental guitar, mambo, Nicaraguan new song, reggae, rock, and even an electronic recording of the wall itself.

Renowned artists contributing to the compilation include Sweet Honey in the Rock, whose song “Are We a Nation?” was written in direct response to AZ’s anti immigrant law, SB 1070. Other prominent musicians include Amos Lee, Michael Franti, Calexico, Joel Rafael, Tom Russell and Eliza Gilkyson. Salvadoran Lilo González, who himself crossed the border without documents, contributes a cumbia based on his own experience, “Ningún ser humano es ilegal” (No Human Being is Illegal). 93 year-old folk music legend Pete Seeger contributed his song “My Rainbow Race.”

Spoken word on the album includes a dramatic reading by Chicana performer Denise Chávez, excepts from an interview with Charles Bowden, and an animal fable that will both entertain a child and inspire an adult to think. Poets contributing work include Chilean Raúl Zurita, one of South America’s most important living poets, Salvadoran Mario Bencastro, whose poem “Arizona” honors migrants who have died in the desert, and North American Margaret Randall, whose poem “Offended Turf” is blended with Glenn Weyant’s electronic recording of the border wall. This diverse and eclectic collection of border songs is held together by a common thread—a deep concern and solidarity for migrants, for people of all ethnicities, regardless of their country of origin.

The complete list of artists contributing to the Border Songs project features:

Amos Lee, Calacas Blues, Calexico, Charles Bowden, Christa Sadler, Chuck Cheesman, Classik & Pachuco, Cyril Barrett, Denise Chávez, Dúo Guardbarranco, Eliza Gilkyson, Eric Skye, Giant Giant Sand, Glenn Weyant, Joel Rafael, Lakesigns, Lilo Gonzalez, Los Románticos, Margaret Randall, Mario Bencastro, M. Henry, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Óscar Sarmiento, Pete Seeger, Raúl Zurita, Robert Neustadt, Scott Ainslie, Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Ted Warmbrand, Tom Russell.

A sampling of this roster will perform at the Coconino Center for the Arts in a celebratory concert on Friday, October 12, beginning at 7 p.m. Artists confirmed for this concert at this time include: Cyril Barret, Chuck Cheesman, Pachuco & Classik, M. Henry (Matt Hall), Glenn Weyant, Los Románticos, Mario Bencastro, Robert Neustadt and Christa Sadler.

Can’t wait to see you on the 12th!

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You’re Invited

The Border Songs CD Release Concert on October 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Coconino Center for the Arts is just around the corner and we are so excited to share the new event poster with you. The two-CD set featuring 31 performances will be available for purchase with all proceeds from CD sales and the event going to No More Deaths and the essential humanitarian work they do. We will also be collecting your new or clean used socks to support the No More Deaths sock drive as donations for migrants.

Mark your calendars, put up a poster, invite a few friends, bring some socks, and get ready to listen to Border Songs and celebrate the CD release with us!

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Border Songs CD Booklet

In anticipation of the release date, October 12, we would like to share the CD booklet with the public. 

The story etched in its pages is one of profound struggle and loss, that of which has inspired the voice and action taken by all who have contributed to this project. 
Thank you for your support. 
Mark your calendars!
Click on the album cover for a peek or
Click here

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