Orangeburg” FREE SONG for Black History Month

by admin

Wow,

Our tour to the Virgin Islands was a fantastic success. We met some wonderful people, played 12 shows in as many days, lounged at Fabio’s villa, went snorkeling, and even caught a few waves! Thanks to Bryan Austin for coming along as road manager and smoothing out the potholes on St. Thomas and St. John. Though we were sad to leave the white sands and turquoise waters, it’s exciting to be heading out a busy winter / spring tour here in the USA. We’re also excited about our upcoming album “Believe.” We’re so jazzed on these tracks that we’re giving one away for free. Read on to find out about the song “Orangeburg.”

More than 3 years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Orangeburg SC’s only bowling alley was still “whites only.” On the night of February 8, 1968, after 3 nights of protests by SC State University students and others, a crowd of young people gathered on the campus. Police opened fire, killing 3 students (Samuel Hammond Jr., 18, Delano Herman Middleton, 17, and Henry Ezekial Smith, 19) and injuring 27 others, most of whom were shot in the back as they fled the barrage of gunfire. The nine police officers who fired into the crowd were all acquitted of excessive force charges. The only person convicted of wrongdoing was SNCC activist Cleveland Sellers, imprisoned for 7 months for “inciting to riot,” and pardoned 25 years later. The first incident of its kind, The Orangeburg Massacre predated the shootings at Kent State and Jackson State, and received little media coverage.

Growing up in SC, racial tension was a constant undercurrent in my school life, and for years I have wanted to figure out a way to address this in my songwriting. When I checked out “ORANGEBURG 1968 A Place and Time Remembered” by Sonny Dubose and Cecil Williams from the library, I was moved by the photos and first hand accounts of the event to write a song about that dark day in SC history. In commemoration of Black History Month, “Orangeburg” will be available as a free download at www.myspace.com/soldriventrain during the month of February. The song was recorded at Hillcreek Studios in Candler, NC and at Awendaw Green in Awendaw, SC, and was mixed by Jeff Hodges at Charleston Sound. Two guest artists lent their talents to the track: Jim Peterman (founding member of Steve Miller Band) added some spooky Hammond B-3 organ and SC songwriter Danielle Howle belted out some powerfully mournful backup vocals.

Thanks for listening,
Joel