Former "Kansas" lead singer and multiple GRAMMY-winning songwriter and producer John Elefante is using his new single, "This Time," to share the story of his adopted daughter's birth, and in the process, bring some attention to Online for Life (OFL), an educational non-profit working to rescue babies from abortion so they can live to make their mark on the world.
"I can't imagine life without my daughter, Sami, and it just breaks my heart that pregnant young women much like her birth mother, instead of choosing life for their babies, are denying them the chance to be born," Elefante said. "If our song can in any way bring attention to this issue and encourage those who are considering abortion to choose life through options such as adoption, then we couldn't be happier."
Elefante learned about Online for Life through a mutual friend, Michael Kadrie, who was working with Elefante on the music video for the song. They and fellow producer Andrew Manzano were looking for a potential pro-life partner to help them complete the music video, knowing that it had a powerful message that could be used effectively to reach
pregnant women who were considering abortion, to encourage them to think about adoption.
"When we first heard about John's song and his daughter's story, we felt a connection right away, and realized we had a mutual passion for saving babies from abortion," said OFL president and co-founder Brian Fisher. "We are so grateful for his team's heart and their desire to see this beautiful music and touching story used for the cause of life."
The song's lyrics are based on the true story of what Sami's 13-year-old birth mother might have experienced... as "she sat cold in a waiting room, frightened and all alone . . . knowing that her baby would soon be gone." As the video unfolds, we see the dreams she had of a little girl celebrating her third birthday and growing into a woman through the years, and we hear the voice she heard telling her to "run away . . . you're not taking her . . . this time."
In addition to YouTube and other social media, the video will be posted on its own branded website, http://www.thistimeforkeeps.com, where information can be found about Online for Life and how individuals can learn more and get involved in the fight to save babies' lives. An entire social media campaign will drive traffic to the website using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc., with Online for Life's Facebook fans and other social media followers encouraged to share the music video among all of their circles - both on- and off-line.
Fans interested in purchasing Elefante's single - or his new album "On my Way to the Sun" - can do so via either http://www.thistimeforkeeps.com or his site, http://www.johnelefante.com, or at iTunes or amazon.com. Produced by Elefante, the 10-track album is available now from Kingheir Music, Elevate Entertainment and Syntax Distribution.
The 4X GRAMMY Award winner and 5X Dove Award winner is best known for his time as the lead vocalist for the multi-platinum rock outfit Kansas. And fans will be delighted to find that the opening track, "This Is How The Story Goes," reunites Elefante with former Kansas bandmates Rich Williams and David Ragsdale. In addition to Kansas and his solo work, Elefante's extensive resume includes writing and performance contributions on more than 100 albums that shaped popular American music. In 1993, Elefante and his brother Dino founded Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee, which quickly became the largest recording studio in the southeast and an instant draw for such top acts as Bruce Springsteen, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Natalie Grant, Amy Grant, Keith Urban, Third Day, Jewel, Jimmy Buffett, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley and many more. For additional information, visit http://www.johnelefante.com.
Online for Life (OFL) helps connect individuals and families facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering abortion with life-affirming centers that provide caring counsel, free ultrasounds, and complete and accurate medical information, including educating individuals about the emotional and psychological impact of terminating a pregnancy. OFL celebrates life-affirming choices of families on Facebook and via its mobile app. The organization, which went online in early 2010, celebrated its 1,100th baby saved Aug. 21. For additional information, visit http://www.onlineforlife.org.
For more information or to schedule an interview with John Elefante, contact Brian Mayes at 615-771-2040 or brian(at)nashvillepublicity(dot)com.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Online for Life, contact Steve Yount or Melany Ethridge at 972-267-1111 or steve(at)alarryross(dot)com or melany(at)alarryross(dot)com.
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