The inspirational song ‘Together We’re Strong’ was released both as a single and YouTube video on May 29 and has already been viewed close to 22,000 times.
Co-written by Brian John Harwood of Kansas Stone and Country Music Association of Ontario Rising Star Dustin Bird, the video features 18 artists from across the country including Cory Marks, Jason McCoy, Aaron Pritchett, Alee, and Jason Blaine as well as Saskatchewan’s own Ches Anthony.
That’s on top of the nearly 70 artists and groups ranging from Tom Cochrane to Washboard Union who appear as special guests in the slickly produced video, holding signs with the #TogetherWereStrong hashtag.
Casey herself is specially featured in the video along with the Snowbirds team. The squadron’s public affairs officer, Casey was killed when her Snowbirds Tutor jet crashed into a neighbourhood in Kamloops, B.C. during the Operation Inspiration cross-Canada tour. Pilot Capt. Richard MacDougall survived with serious injuries but is expected to recover.
“We were devastated to learn of the tragic loss of Capt. Casey,” says Bird, who also served as a performer and producer on the track alongside Harwood. “As Canadians we wanted to use the power of music to encourage and bring people together in a time of adversity.”
In addition to honouring Casey, the video is also acting as a fundraising drive for the Unison Benevolent Fund, a Canadian music industry charity whose mission is to help professional music-makers in times of hardship, illness or economic difficulties.
“Staying positive together is the one thing that we have the power of doing,” said Harwood, songwriter and artist with Kansas Stone. “Unity is strength.”
To make a donation to Unison’s COVID-19 Relief Program, text UNISON to 45678 or visit unisonfund.ca and have every donation matched by Spotify. All proceeds will go to provide direct relief for music-makers and music professionals.
To learn more about the Unison Benevolent Fund, click here.
