(Photo: alz.org)

Bringing awareness for Alzheimer’s with music

The new “Music Moments” album features 10 music artists including Nile Rodgers, Joan Jett, Anthony Hamilton, Sharon Van Etten, Sting, Band of Horses, Lee Ann Womack, The Head and the Heart, and Jason Isbell. All artists having one goal and one cause, raising awareness for Alzheimer’s (ALZ).

In partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, the collection of artists pay tribute to the music that gave great memories from a time often lost to ALZ patients. The artists share their music and stories about how ALZ affects their lives with the music that got them through the tough times.

Nile Rodgers
Niles Rodgers is known for being a prolific name in music as a Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, singer, guitarist, and composer. What most don’t know is that ALZ has impacted multiple family members including his mother and aunt. Performing the classic Beatles hit “Hey Jude” with CHIC because he has fond memories of singing the song with his aunt. He says it’s heartbreaking to see his mom living with this disease and that you have to approach it one day at a time.

I recorded “Hey Jude” at @AbbeyRoadStudios with @thechicorganization as part of a new digital album for@alzassociation to raise Alzheimer’s awareness. Hear the story behind my song choice.#MyMusicMoment #ENDALZ pic.twitter.com/tRLkYaTCSf

— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) March 13, 2020

Joan Jett
This queen of rock & roll is a founding member of the Runaways and the frontwoman of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, being one of the first women to be in a rock band. After her mother died she learned that she would have to be responsible for new things in her life and inspired her to write the song “Hard to Grow Up.” Jett wanted the song to show strength through difficult experiences in life and that she hopes this song inspires others to reach out so no one feels alone.

Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton is known for being a triple threat as an R&B songwriter, producer, and singer selling over 50 million albums worldwide including featuring the vocals for the song “Freedom” in the movie “Django Unchained.” For the Music Moments album, Hamilton chose the classic “Stand By Me” with memories of singing it with his grandmother while giving a supportive message to people affected by ALZ.

Sharon Van Etten
This singer-songwriter is also known for her guest appearance on the Netflix series “The OA” and her popular fifth album “Remind Me Tomorrow.” One the album she performs “If My Love Could Kill” because of the love she shared with her mother for Lucinda Willams’ music. The original artist Willams wrote the song to express her struggle in understanding her father’s battle with ALZ and express her love for him, capturing the frustration of ALZ while expressing compassion for people with ALZ.

Ten artists. 🎤
One album. 🎵
One cause. 💜
Listen to “Music Moments,” our digital album featuring new recordings and unreleased tracks by award-winning artists created to champion the fight for a world without Alzheimer's. https://t.co/RYCQfW5fhA #MyMusicMoment #ENDALZ pic.twitter.com/JYNGhTMucO

— Alzheimer's Assoc. (@alzassociation) March 13, 2020

Sting
He is known for being one of the founding members of The Police and is a six-time Grammy award winner. For the album, he performed “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” because it reminded him of his teenage years when the song influenced him at the time, thinking back to a time when he was truly happy. His mother-in-law lost her life to ALZ and said, “It’s a possibility, a potential in all of our lives. So whatever research we can do at this present time is absolutely important.”

Band of Horses
The lead singer of the band, Ben Bridwell, drew inspiration from the song by Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane entitled, “Annie.” Bridwell recorded a version of this song for his friend named Annie who was battling cancer, hoping to also comfort caregivers and people with ALZ.

Lee Ann Womack
This country music singer has first-hand experience with the impact of ALZ in her family and the devastating effects. Womack wanted to contribute to raising awareness for ALZ and performs “Dreaming My Dreams With You” by Waylon Jennings, a song that influenced her music when she was younger.

The Head and the Heart
The indie-folk band performed their original song “Backwards Breathing” for the new album. Band member, Matt Gervais, explains that the song is about overcoming anxiety and stress with having a family member suffering from ALZ.