In celebration of National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 25, The Voter Participation Center joins with Balcony Films for a release of a new music video and original song, “L.O.V.E. (Let One Voice Emerge),” urging women and other unregistered voters to head to the ballot box on November 6.
“Let one voice emerge, let your voice be heard” at the voting booth, the song reminds voters. Unmarried women, persons of color and young people – the Rising American Electorate – comprise 53 percent of the voting eligible population, and yet represent 63 percent of all unregistered citizens.
“We felt a music video with incredible star power in recognition of National Voter Registration Day would be an attention-getting way to encourage all eligible Americans to participate in our great democracy,” says Page Gardner, President of the Voter Participation Center. “The message is simple: Get registered and get to the polls on November 6. Let the voice of one join the voices of millions and be heard.”
“L.O.V.E. (Let One Voice Emerge)” was co-written by Grammy-winning artist Patti Austin, Grammy-winner and twice Oscar-nominated singer/songwriter Siedah Garrett, five-time Grammy-winning producer/composer Mervyn Warren, and Grammy and Tony-nominated songwriter/artist Brenda Russell. The song was produced and arranged by Mervyn Warren. The new music video features hit artists Fergie (Black Eyed Peas), Keke Palmer (actress/recording artist), Patti Austin (entertainer/song writer), Siedah Garrett (song writer and performer), Sheila E (musician/actress), Brenda Russell (songwriter), Judith Hill (singer/songwriter), Lalah Hathaway (R&B artist), and Jenna Ushkowitz (“Glee”).
Renowned producer Julie Bergman Sender and Oscar-nominated director Stuart Sender, through their production company Balcony Films, developed the L.O.VE. project and music video with director David Galvez, Jr. The L.O.V.E. music video and additional PSAs feature an array of committed celebrities, including Fergie, Kate Walsh (“Private Practice”), Alexa Vega (“Spy Kids”), Joe Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Regina King (actress), Seth Green (actor), Quinton Aaron (“The Blind Side”), Reborn (Christian rap artist), Cody Horn (actress), Sophia Bush (actress), Amy Brenneman (actress), Amy Smart (actress) among others.
In developing the project, producer Julie Bergman Sender explained, “We wanted to create an anthem – to show this group of American women how valuable their voices are to the health of our democracy and the power that one voice – each and every voice – really has. L.O.V.E. (Let One Voice Emerge) is our answer to the question ‘Why does my voice matter?’”
The music video directs viewers to a new website, www.LOVEVoting.org, where visitors can view a special message from Dr. Maya Angelou, download the song for free, view outtakes from the recording and alternative versions, and register to vote through the Voter Participation website www.voterparticipation.org. Visitors to the LoveVoting.org site may choose to support the effort by donating to the Voter Participation Center and the song will be available on iTunes, Amazon.com music and other major online music distributors.
“This is our L.O.V.E. song to America,” says L.O.V.E. co-writer and acclaimed vocalist and performer Patti Austin. “When I discovered that nearly 20 million unmarried women don’t vote, I had to do something. So I went to three of the most talented people I know to work with on this. We have never collaborated together before and I couldn’t think of a more auspicious reason to come together.”
Also participating in the campaign are Rachel Leigh Cook (actress), Josh Hopkins (“Cougar Town”), Michael B. Jordan (“The Wire”), Sharon Lawrence (actress), Alyssa Milano (actress), Patrick Muldoon (actor/singer), Chris Olsen (actor), Danielle Panabaker (actress), Harold Perrineau (“Lost”), Reborn (Christian rap artist), Jessica Szohr (“CSI: Miami”) and many others.
