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A hopeful city turns its ears to you, Tosha Owens.
The soulful singer's latest uplifting anthem, "Unite Thru Love," follows "Detroit Strong" three months ago. The new song about "our dream of racial harmony" is written by Keith Laurin of Canton.
"With what just happened in Charlottesville, this is needed," Laurin tweets this weekend.
Its bluesy, gospel-like arrangement is enhanced by background vocals from the Ferndale Middle School sixth-grade choir, directed by Kimberly Schroeder. They join Owens, pianist Kurt Schreitmueller and bassist Tony Suhy (also the producer) at the Museum of African American History for a four-minute video (below).
Tosha Owens is a three-time Detroit Music Awards winner.
The video opens with the youngsters arriving and joining hands outside the rotunda at a 2017 sculpture by Charles McGhee titled "United We Stand." The diverse faces and symbolism are pitch-perfect. "This song sends the message of love as the path to true achievement," Laurin says in a release.
Sample lyrics:
Let’s give our children hope
Remove all trace of hate
Help make this message clear . . .
Our dream of harmony
Our time has come
Let us unite through love
Net proceeds from iTunes and Apple Music downloads will be donated to Focus: HOPE, a Detroit nonprofit founded in 1968, Laurin says.
Owens is a 2014-16 Detroit Music Awards winner who'll perform "Detroit Strong," also written by Laurin, next Friday at a Woodward Dream Cruise kickoff event.
She has been on stage at Nancy Whiskey Pub, St. Andrew's Hall, Bert’s Place, Callahan’s Music Hall, Concert of Colors, the Magic Bag, and MGM Grand. Outdoor appearances include the LiUNA! Bluesfest Windsor last month and the 2015 Smokin' Jazz/Blues Music Festival in Brighton.
Earlier coverage:
Video: 'Detroit Strong,' a Stirring Anthem, Salutes 'the Heart and Soul of the City,' May 13
