Ricky James, keyboardist and vocalist for the rapidly rising band, Neighbor, joins The Nature of Music to share the backstory to the rock odyssey, Silver.  Silver not only features powerful nature-inspired imagery. The odyssey is an epic tale that inspires fans to come together and save our magnificent planet Earth, which humanity is harming in ways that threaten to collapse our civilization. James begins by sharing the backstory of Silver's origins. Moving through each song, he delves into never-before-shared details, including about the upcoming prequel. James leaves fans with with a message of hope and a call to action, reflected in the lyrics of Silver's concluding song, "We Need You":

Time to heal
time to please
Be aware of others needs

Time to help
time to give
On the planet where we live

Time to join together now
Working hand in hand
Take a moment from your day
And give back to the land...

Multi-talented musician and music industry veteran, Paige Clem, joins the Nature of Music. Clem, whose history includes serving as a member of the team that produces the legendary High Sierra Music Festival, shares powerful stories about the role of nature as a grounding force in her life - inspiring her to focus on her present surroundings. After she names the Gorge Amphitheater as her favorite concert venue, I ask Paige if she's heard the story of the cataclysmic Glacial Lake Missoula Floods, which tore through that area of SE Washington and the Columbia River Gorge at the end of the last ice age. To hear her response - and this mind-blowing story - enjoy Episode 12...

This month, The Nature of Music podcast is honored to have as our guest Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr, President & Founder of Hip Hop Caucus. Rev. Yearwood is a pacemaker in the climate crisis solutions movement with a remarkable track record of successfully bridging the gap between communities of color and environmental advocacy. Our conversation starts by exploring the origins of his nature and climate-related passions: a tale involving Hurricane Katrina (and before that, a love of birds). Rev. Yearwood shares insights from decades of leveraging the power of music (including through the People's Climate Music campaign) to (1) raise awareness of the benefits of climate crisis and social justice solutions, and (2) broaden the movement demanding 100% renewable energy for all. Along the way, he reveals the backstory to several of Hip Hop Caucus’ powerfully emotive music videos, including Trouble In the Water, Stand Up / Stand N Rock, and All We Really Have Is Now. 

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