COVERAGE
The Songs of Charlie MosbrookA musical collaborative
The
Project
The
idea for this project began last February when my future was very
unclear. I was living with an undiagnosed spinal cord injury. Over a
two month period I went from being an Ironman Triathlete to being
unable to lift myself from the floor. I was unable to walk without
falling. I knew I was going to be hospitalized, unemployed, and faced
with a lot of medical costs, not to mention the cost of living. I also
wasn't sure what my future held as a musician, as I had lost some
feeling in my hands. Once diagnosed, I was given surgery near c5 and c6
of the spine. The surgery was to pass by a main vocal nerve. Left with
little in the way of resources, I looked to what seems to be unlimited
for me. I looked to my friends and my imagination.
Having
hosted open mics throughout this area for
the past 20 years has put me in the middle of an extraordinary music
scene in Cleveland, Ohio. I have had the good fortune of
running these stages and forming lasting friendships with these
talented folks. It was these people that I turned to, to help me
in my time of need. I didn't ask them for money, I asked them to choose
one of my songs and to record it any way they like. The response was
quick and excited. Most of them had an immediate song in mind. I could
tell that I had hit some creative nerve that could inspire some really
nice recordings. As
the songs started coming in, I noticed one
common theme. Each artist put a lot of love and care into arranging,
performing and recording their song of choice. Musically, this entire
collection evolved into something very powerful.
The initial intent was to help me with my medical costs, hence the name "Coverage". The title also plays on the theme that all of these artists are covering my songs. What I hadn't expected is the musical story that would unfold revealing a 20 year history of this vibrant Cleveland songwriter scene that I have been able to witness and be a part of during my years as an open mic host.
As a songwriter I am humbled by these recordings. As an artist, I could not be more enthused by the breadth of the project. But most important to me is the community that is this music. This collection of music tells that story.
Having
hosted open mics throughout this area for
the past 20 years has put me in the middle of an extraordinary music
scene in Cleveland, Ohio. I have had the good fortune of
running these stages and forming lasting friendships with these
talented folks. It was these people that I turned to, to help me
in my time of need. I didn't ask them for money, I asked them to choose
one of my songs and to record it any way they like. The response was
quick and excited. Most of them had an immediate song in mind. I could
tell that I had hit some creative nerve that could inspire some really
nice recordings. As
the songs started coming in, I noticed one
common theme. Each artist put a lot of love and care into arranging,
performing and recording their song of choice. Musically, this entire
collection evolved into something very powerful. The initial intent was to help me with my medical costs, hence the name "Coverage". The title also plays on the theme that all of these artists are covering my songs. What I hadn't expected is the musical story that would unfold revealing a 20 year history of this vibrant Cleveland songwriter scene that I have been able to witness and be a part of during my years as an open mic host.
As a songwriter I am humbled by these recordings. As an artist, I could not be more enthused by the breadth of the project. But most important to me is the community that is this music. This collection of music tells that story.
