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Company description::
When JavaMusiK artist Jeff Van Devender wrote Storm King Sacrifice at the base of the mountain where 14 firefighters lost their lives, he didn't imagine it becoming a chart-topping success. "I just wanted to offer up a memorial, in my own small way, to the heroes of a trajedy I felt connected to as a witness," Van Devender stated. See (PRWEB) September 29, 2003 - "Tribute To Fallen Storm King Firefighters in Colorado Released" - http://www.prweb.com/releases/Sep%20/9/prweb79976.htm
On October 1, 2003, Storm King Sacrifice moved into the top 10 of the SoundClick Acoustic Piano chart. Within one week, the touching piano tribute had moved into the #2 position. Meanwhile, it also enjoyed a top 10 listing in the broader SoundClick Acoustic Music chart. Another song by Van Devender, Synyrgyze!, also reached the top 5 of SoundClick's Jazz Fusion chart the same week.
SoundClick updates their music charts every day. Placement on these charts is based on the number of unique listens a song gets. One person cannot bump up a song by giving it 5 listens. It will only get counted for one listen per day per computer.
Van Devender's passion and commitment to the purpose behind Storm King Sacrifice was recently reinforced when he had the unique experience of meeting with the surviving firefighters of an elite squadron for FDNY. "I was taking down my equipment after playing piano for a restaurant in Glenwood Springs, when I noticed a small group of firefighters sharing a unique bond with each other. An obvious brotherhood existed between them," he noted. "I was speechless and overwhelmed by just seeing them."
The firefighters Van Devender had noticed were three of the surviving four members of FDNY, Rescue #4. The Gypsum Fire Dept. of Gypsum, CO invited the fire crew to come get away from it all - all expenses paid. FDNY, Rescue #4 accepted the invitation, but only after the last work was finished at Ground Zero. Two solid years passed with these men sorting through the rubble left behind fom 9/11 on the site.
On the way home, it occured to Van Devender that there was a small bond he could share with these men. After calling around the next day, he located the firefighters finishing up a golf tournament and presented each of them a copy of 'Bending Chords,' which contains the song Storm King Sacrifice. This lead to a dinner invitation where Van Devender listened to these men describe what they had lived through the last two years.
These conversations, combined with his sending a copy of the cd to the Storm King firefighters' families, lead Van Devender to the decision to begin a memorial fund. For the next year, proceeds from the sale of Van Devender's cd's since 9/11/03 will be donated to a firefighter memorial. "The service and dedication firefighters give is an awesome thing," Van Devender concludes.
A preview recording of Storm King Sacrifice and Synyrgyze! can be heard at http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/javamusikmusic.htm . More information about Van Devender and his music is available at http://www.JavaMusiK.com. Storm King Sacrifice is available on the JavaMusiK release, 'Bending Chords' and can be purchased at http://cdbaby.com/vand2 . Proceeds from the sale will be set aside for a firefighter memorial fund.
Rifle, CO resident Jeff Van Devender grew up in Oskaloosa, IA and currently teaches elementary music in Parachute, CO. At the time of the Storm King Fire, he taught elementary music in Gypsum, CO. - Scott Jeffries; JavaNews |
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