Following a breakfast conversation at Athens Family Restaurant, Beth and Luke Laird agreed to lead a class on music production for Fun Friday. For several Fridays during the spring they worked with 5-6 elementary students on writing and recording songs. Students were mesmerized by the sound of their own voices on recordings—and songs they had written flowed enthusiastically and rhythmically from their lips.
This experience led to a deepening of the Lairds’ involvement. In May, the Lairds gave a major financial gift to PTM. With a small portion of that gift, PTM was able to purchase a computer and the needed equipment to produce radio-quality recordings. In addition to the gift of equipment, Beth and Luke have agreed to work with some of our youth over the summer. Last Friday was the first session and my heart giggled with excitement as I watched four of our outstanding students thoroughly engaged wi
th the process of creative expression. I was reminded that we all are created to create.
The Lairds continue to give. They, together with Ann Marie, are putting together a Writer’s Night that will be held on July 10th beginning at 6:00 at 3rd and Lindsley. The event is designed to raise support for PTM. There will be a $5 cover charge. Some of our students will have an opportunity to sing, followed by six songwriters: Ann Marie (one of our lunchmate mentors), Dave Berg, Danny Myrick, Luke Laird, Rhett Akins, and Ashley Gorley. I hope you will come and invite others to come as well.
(In picture above, Luke Laird teaches Marvell, Terique, Dusean, and Patrick about music production at PTM’s new “studio”.)