“Where’s the Love” by Denise “Lady D” Messamore
If you have been to the Wine and Arts Banquet to listen to “Hourglass” or the Coffee Cup to hear “The Tones” , then you have heard Denise sing and play ! She has been a part of the Ft. Smith music scene , long time member of the Ft Smith Blues Society , Singer at the Ft Smith Jazz Jam and even busking on Garrison with Victoria Bragg of The Tones ! All of this makes up a successful and satisfying career in music – and now this singer/songwriter/guitarist /vocal instructor will get a chance to add an award winning music video to her resume !
It started a few years back in a notebook of song scraps , titles , verses , beginnings and endings . In the moving and sorting of boxes as we all sometimes do , a page with the chorus of Where’s the Love was noticed . A good songwriter saves such things . And with that song idea and all the input from the media and any travel through any inner city , a moment of reflection mixed with compassion moved Denise to look at the hurt , homeless , broken folks that we all see . And in a plea for kindness , the lyrics flowed to answer the question “Where’s the Love’!
Most of us find it easier to turn away , avert our eyes , I guess in hope that someone will surely help the situation ! But we all know fellow travelers out there that could use a hand up . And this growing number is proportional to the increase in world population . “The harvest is plentiful , the workers are few” – Luke 10:2 . And Bono of U2 sings “ I can’t change the world but I can change the world in me “ . It is up to us to commit to spread kindness and love , change bad with a lil’ good , ya know turn a smile upside down !
But back to the music video . After finishing the song , verses with the problem – hate , murder , cheating , stealing , abuse & the chorus and bridge with the solution – “Love is what we need , to heal the heart” . The scenes for the video had to be worked out and Denise reached out to friend TD Benton of White Collar Sideshow for ideas . WCS uses videos and scenes behind their music so different ideas flowed like water . That taken care of , led to seasoned video director/editor/ photographer , Phillip Pearson . His ideas with Denise and TD’s began to take shape with scenes from downtown Ft. Smith . Using different spots in town where there were obvious signs of need pointed out in the song . Great backdrops for the moving video ! Posted on Denise fb page and on You-tube .
The song was recorded in the suburb of Dora , Ark . at Fountain Square Recording ! Owned and operated by Eric and Victoria Bragg , it is a first class studio and produced an awesome recording to go along with the video . Victoria Bragg , singer/guitar for the duet The Tones , handles the rhythm guitar work . As the credits roll , a final reminder from this altruistic musician , Mark 12:30-31!
Denise called on friends and fellow musicians to be the actors in the scenes . Well cast for the parts and grateful to be a small part in the video . The scenes follow the verses and themes and emphasize each line of the song . It makes for a heartfelt and moving video . It is a grand effort by such a compassionate , kind and big hearted singer . I feel it will do well in this competition for “Music Videos” in the contest !
The Contest – this will be the First Fort Smith International Film Festival . It will be viewed and judged on the 13th and 14th of August . There are over 400 entries from 83 countries . 123 hr of feature length movies that will be viewed at 5Star and the Majestic . The short films will be viewed at the Bakery and music videos will be shown at the 906 Lounge . This will be like the Sundance and Cannes film Festivals ! This weekend event will be brought to you by River Valley Film Society Inc. Check out fortsmithfilm.com for more info or their fb page.
The schedule will be available soon and even a chance to volunteer and help with all the different areas like ushers and more . It is a very unique event for the River Valley and here’s to many more years of success for this
festival !
Live Music this weekend ! This Friday the 30th , Musician’s ReUnion 2 – 3 hours of Country Music free to the public , will start at 5 and go til at least 8 pm ! Two bands , Connie Abbott and Country Pride are joined by J.B. Lloyd and Company featuring Earl Hearon in the Pocket Park . Hope to see ya there !
Sat. the 31st , Rearvue Mirror will be at Joe’s Grille & Cantina on 74th st in the Fort . Music starts at 7 pm .
It is great to see that the Gatlin Hoffpauir Band is riding again . Connie and David will be playing from 8-11 pm at Hero’s this Sat the 31st . Sam Harris/bass and Dale Fraze Sr/drums make this band special . It will be so good to hear them all again .
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