From USIA World, Volume 11, Number 3, pages 10-12.
Top musical stars perform "Gift of Song" musical tribute for listeners worldwide
"Kenny Rogers. If I could get Kenny to agree, it would all work out." Those were my first thoughts as the idea of organizing a concert to be broadcast live and worldwide in honor of VOA's 50th Anniversary began to crystallize in my head. The concert-to feature numerous stars and styles-would be held in honor of our millions of listeners around the world, and also in honor of the power of music to bring the world together as one.
For many of our listeners worldwide, Kenny Rogers represents the best of America. His music and his many humanitarian efforts have made him an international superstar. I was hoping he would agree to not only sing, but also to co-host the show with me, and to do it for free! After all, VOA has no budget for putting on a concert. The moneys for such things as production costs, feeding of artists, travel, lodging, and other associated expenses would have to come from donations from the private sector. All of that lay ahead-and what a challenge it was to raise money during these economic times!
First, though, I had to line up the artists (after all, no individual or corporation would contribute to this without knowing who would be performing).
I tracked down Kenny's manager. Ken Kragen, during my June 1991 trip to Nashville's Fan Fair. He was enthusiastic and would talk with Kenny. I was optimistic that Kenny would agree; after all, I've seen Kenny and talked with him many times since our first interview back in 1979, and had covered many awards shows where he's been honored, had traveled to New York several times to attend his Annual World Hunger Media Awards, and had covered his participation in such humanitarian efforts as Hands Across America and USA For Africa's "We Are The World."
Pending word from Kenny's camp, I moved ahead to acquire a number of additional artists. After all, my idea was to present a cross section of musical styles, performed by a number of our top musical stars who were involved in more than one style of music-artists who would delight in "stretching out" on the show, and leave "genres" and "categories" behind.
By the time the call came from Kenny's manager that "Yes, Kenny would love to do it," I had a wonderful lineup taking shape, with artists covering everything from classical, blues and rock, to jazz, folk and country.
My last target was Garth Brooks. Garth and I had really hit it off when we sat down together for our first interview two years ago, He had struck up a friendship with my two sons, who idolize him.
I tracked him down during my October trip to Nashville to cover the County Music Association Awards for my weekly VOA program, "Country Music USA." He was quietly standing alone in the shadowy backstage area of the Grand Ole Opry House, watching the stage hands rearrange the props for the nationally televised show that would take place that evening.
Here was the most publicized and popular artist in America, the man whose three albums have sold some 20 million copies, and who, in late 1991 and early 1992, was turning down more than eight million dollars in bookings in order to take some time off to spend at home with his wife and to write songs-and I was going to ask him to travel to Washington to perform for free for VOA!
His response was immediate: "Sure, as long as you keep it simple for me." Since he had disbanded his band, he wanted to do a solo acoustic set- just he and his guitar. That sounded fine with me-a handshake and a hug sealed the agreement.
The artists were intrigued with the idea of meeting and playing with other performers whose music they admire. Noted saxophonist Grover Washington Jr, was so pleased to find that banjo player Bela Fleck and his Flecktones were going to be on the show that he asked his manager to call me to ask if Grover could jam with Bela on one of Bela's songs.
I didn't think Bela had ever used a sax on his recordings, but called him in Nashville to let him know of Grover's interest. "I really admire Grover," said Bela. "Please tell him I'd love to jam with him. but I'm curious to know which song he's referring to." So, back to Grover's office in Philadelphia to find out. After a few calls back and forth, I wised up and asked Bela if I could simply give his home telephone number to Grover so they could talk it over themselves.
As it turned out, Grover wanted to play "The Sinister Minister" with Bela and the Flecktones, and he also wanted to know if Bela and his band would provide the backup for his set. Their collaboration on the March 21st show was truly a special moment.
The three-hour live broadcast was full of special moments, as each act came forward to perform three selections. From Kenny Rogers' opening set that included "The Gambler," to Clamma Dale's touching rendition of the George Gershwin/DuBose Heyward classic "Summertirne," and Adam Makowicz's rollicking piano version of Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things." Thirty-year-old violin master Mark 0' Connor wowed the audience with his ability to jump from a mountain hoe-down to his classically oriented, self-penned "Miniatures." Nashville's "certified guitar player" Chet Atkins performed his own set of county-inflected pop favorites early in the show, then returned at the invitation of the rock 'n' rollers - Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Joe Walsh and John Sebastian - to set fire to "Train, Train."
Legendary trumpeter Clark Terry added his personal touch to the evening while performing with Bela Fleck and Grover Washington Jr.
Dan Seals stressed the message of world harmony by performing "One Family."
And Garth Brooks closed the show with songs that stressed the same theme of universal brotherhood and understanding, including a soft rendition of the old folk hit, "Last Night I Had the Strangest
Dream." As Kenny and I bid adieu to our worldwide audience, all of the performers gathered on stage for a rousing jam rendition of "Take The 'A' Train."
Comments from listeners around the world have indicated that this VOA 50th Anniversary "Gift of Song" Musical Tribute was truly extraordinary and unforgettable. The artists, too felt it had been a truly special event.
A few days after the broadcast, Mark O'Connor wrote this note: "Thank you for including me on such a great broadcast. You pulled together an incredible lineup of American artists to come together and play for the rest of the world! It is awesome to think about. Thanks for allowing my music to reach all of these people."
It was also an awesome, extraordinary and unforgettable evening for all of us, including the many agency staffers who worked so hard to make it a reality and the various VOA music show hosts who stepped to center stage to greet our worldwide audience.
Kenny Rogers closed the evening by stating that, when VOA turns 100, he will be 103, but he still plans to return to cohost that big anniversary show! I don't know if I'll make it then, but this year's event just goes to prove that dreams can come true - and that music truly is the universal language!
Judy Massa is VOA music director.
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The Costa Rican media heavily covered VOA'S golden anniversary. One and a half million Costa Ricans heard Costa Rican President Rafael Calderon's radio message honoring VOA: "…During these years the Voice has been a lighthouse in defense of the principles of liberty and democracy…."
USIS San Jose could have opened a florist shop with the arrangements that stations sent. The press published five large paid congratulatory messages and a Wireless File article about the anniversary.
Is this fanfare surprising? No. For years the Voice has garnered saturation placement on the Costa Rican airwaves. Of the country's68 stations, 32 of them, including the most popular ones, use VOA news reports. Furthermore, 37 stations regularly use one or more VOA package programs.
San Jose Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Louise Kelleher Crane hosted a reception to mark the big occasion. U.S. Ambassador Luid Guinot Jr delivered a speech underscoring the importance of free and unfettered press. He also described how VOA's efforts had spread and strengthened democracy around the globe.
During the reception, one radio station conducted lengthy live interviews (using the PAO's kitchen phone) with VOA regional correspondent Gregory Flakus and other USIS personnel.
Gary Keith is information officer, USIS San Jose.