"Garden of Music" Artists: 1. "We Can Make This Change" BREE (Nick Iafelice, gtr) 2. "Find Your Way" TOM CAMP & VINCENT AGRESTA (Basha Grewal, bkg voc) 3. "Brighter Day" NATALIE ORTEGA 4. "A Better Place" DAN TOTH 5. "Some of Mine" COUSINS LIVE (Erik Parian; Danny Spadaro (courtesy of Discovered Records) 6. "Feel So Alive" CHRISTOPHER KELLER (Tom Camp, gtr) 7. "No One Knows" EMMA FERONY (Zuke, keys) 8. "I Need You" MATT ROY ~ 9. "The Battle" NICKY COSTABILE (Mario Costabile, keys) Executive Producer: Deborah Zuke Smith, zuketunes LLC Songs produced/mixed/mastered by Jake Antelis "Find Your Way" produced by Tom Camp & Vincent Agresta "The Battle" produced by Mario Costabile All songs written by the artist(s) listed except "Some of Mine" by Erik Parian, Daniel Spadaro, Jamie Spadaro As a vocal and artist coach, Deborah "Zuke" Smith often hears from her students what they would do if they became successful. Every single one of them said they would use their fame and money to support those in need.  Zuke thought "why wait?"  She realized by having her students work directly with a non-profit organization they could give back to the community with their gifts of music and songwriting. Zuke contacted her top singer/songwriter clients and asked if they would be interested in writing original music for a compilation CD to raise money for a non-profit organization. They all loved the idea immediately. There are so many organizations that deserve support, but Zuke remembered she had someone located right in her hometown. She arranged a meeting with CNN Hero, Gary Oppenheimer, founder of AmpleHarvest.org to pitch the idea of producing a CD where all sales would benefit his organization.  Gary embraced the idea and they scheduled a dinner meeting with the artists.  The artists were moved and inspired to create original music to help spread the word.   "An estimated 100 billion pounds of food, enough to totally eliminate hunger, is thrown away annually in the United States. It does not have to be this way - and you can help.  Your support of the AmpleHarvest.org Campaign helps many more food pantries receive fresh produce - improving community health while also helping the environment." - from the AmpleHarvest.org website Zuke guided each of her singer/songwriters to write a song exemplifying what AmpleHarvest.org means to them.  All proceeds will go to support AmpleHarvest.org so that no food is left behind. Zuke prepares her students and clients to use their talents and gifts to do something positive for humanity.  She believes the interpretation of fame can be redefined for young artists.  By supporting their efforts, you will encourage these artists to follow this road. Acknowledgements: My road to creating this CD is full of synchronistic events.  Back in July of 2011 I wrote a letter of thanks to Derek Sivers after reading his book, "Anything You Want."  I felt a little like an awkward fanzoid, but his book really inspired me.  About 10 hours after I wrote him a fan letter, he responded to me with a list of helpful tips and suggestions.  Wow!  I felt honored. I needed to hire a business coach and attorney and contacted my friend, E. Michael Harrington, to give me some names.  Michael is a music copyright expert and knows a lot of attorneys in the business.  He put Joyce Dollinger at the top of the list, so naturally I contacted her. Joyce Dollinger has been my guidance counselor, advisor, attorney, and friend throughout this whole process.  I could not have made any of this happen without her help and support.  I told Joyce about my story with Derek and she told me she knew him.  Small world! When I was researching for a non-profit that I wanted to support with my artists, I remembered we had a CNN Hero right here in my home town of West Milford, NJ.  I contacted Gary Oppenheimer, Founder of AmpleHarvest.org, and as soon as I pitched my idea to him he was on board.  Gary is a hippie with a heart.  Gotta love that! I have to thank all of the incredible artists I hand picked for this project.  I knew each and every one would not only rise to the occasion and write an inspirational song, but they would also become ambassadors to support the cause and spread the message.  A huge thank you and many hugs of appreciation to Bree, Nick, Tom, Vincent, Basha, Natalie, Dan, Erik, Danny, Jamie, Chris, Emma, Matt, and Nicky. The parents to my artists have been so very supportive and helpful along the way.  Thank you to Audrey, Debbie, Patti, George and Mario and all the parents who raised such wonderful children. In keeping with the spirit of our youth leading the way, I contacted a young producer/engineer who I had been cyber stalking by listening to his tracks for nearly a year.  Jake Antelis of Antelis Productions is a goldmine.  I can't say enough about his musicianship, work ethics, kindness and all around grooviness.   Creating a CD cover can be a daunting experience.  I knew I wanted an artist to be inspired by this project and create an original piece of work.  I know several artists, but when I thought about my pottery artist friend, Martha Boshart, I knew she was the one.  I went to her Facebook page and scrolled through her oodles of doodles.  It was no surprise to me when it dawned on me that her art studio was located next to the farm on Apple Acres where AmpleHarvest.org originated.   I was creating a lot of work for myself and realized I needed an assistant.  I contacted my former student, Kelly Slagter, when I heard she moved back to NJ after getting her degree at Belmont U. in Business Marketing and Advertising.  Here's where the synchronicity comes full circle.  Kelly is the one who first introduced me to E. Michael Harrington.  How cool is that??!! I am so thankful to have the support of my husband, Kent, and daughter, Nikki.  Thank you for your patience and love. Rock on and peace out! -Zuke