About The Project
Shortly after 6 p.m. on August 1st, 2007 - during the height of rush hour - the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis collapsed. Media coverage was almost instantaneous and soon our beloved city became the nation's focus. Helpless, we sat glued to the television while first responders risked their own lives to save the lives of others. We made calls to determine the whereabouts of family and friends; anxiety grew as the minutes and hours wore on. The images were grisly and surreal. This was not our Minneapolis. Yet, at this moment Minnesota and the rest of the world held hands and prayed all were safe. As Rockie Lynne writes: "We pulled together. We showed the world grace, dignity and honor as we wrapped our hearts around our fallen families, searched for survivors and cared for our wounded."
Help was immediate and came in many forms: the selflessness of victims helping victims; our courageous police, fire, and rescue teams; emergency blood donors; and funds from private citizens and corporations around the world.
Like countless others, we also wanted to help. As a Minnesota-based professional audio equipment manufacturer with a large global parent company that has made social responsibility part of its core value for over 120 years, we felt obliged to help our neighbors and knew we could do something more than just write a check.
The very next morning we began receiving e-mails and phone calls from various partners and friends in the music industry. They wanted to know how they could help. And then, an epiphany: A benefit album, a celebrity memorabilia auction, and a benefit concert, whereby all proceeds would be donated to Minnesota Helps : Bridge Disaster Fund™. Autographed guitars began showing up at our door from the likes of Megadeth, Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Dick Dale, and others. Likewise, some of the most recognized names in the music industry began sending songs for use on the benefit album. Fast forward two months and we had amassed enough material to fill 3 CDs - a total of 57 songs - nearly 4 hours of music! A colossal collection of songs spanning indie rock, modern rock, metal, country, folk, blues, Americana, jazz, funk, hip-hop, r & b, and reggae genres - and many songs that defy classification - from Australia to Germany to NYC, New Orleans, Miami,Nashville, Tucson, L.A., San Francisco, to Portland and many points in between, here are 57 Songs meant to lend spiritual support to those affected by the disaster and help Minnesota remember, reflect, rebuild, and heal.
We thank you for your donation by purchasing MUSICIANS FOR MINNEAPOLIS: 57 SONGS FOR THE I-35W BRIDGE DISASTER RELIEF EFFORT™. We hope that you enjoy this fantastically eclectic compilation.
- Electro-Voice
A very special thanks to Lisa Voigt, Jim Zimmer, Karen Madich, and the staff of Zimmer Madich for their donated time and creativity to the project's aesthetics. Likewise, a big hug to Tom Garneau for his patience and mastering expertise!
