Gospel stars to come out for
UN Environment Day
People's Weekly World
Legendary gospel singers are voicing their support for a
greener planet Earth. Not since the recording of "We Are the World" 20 years
ago has the music industry come together for such a global issue.
"United Nations, Together We Can," written and produced by legendary, fourtime
Grammy winner Edwin Hawkins (of "O Happy Day" fame), is being
recorded this week. The song will debut with a 1,000-voice choir on "Flower
Power Day" on the steps of San Francisco's City Hall, at the closing ceremony
of the United Nations World Environment Day June 5.
The nondenominational song is being recorded in Berkeley, Calif., and features
gospel artists The Williams Brothers, Richard Smallwood, Daryl Coley, Three
Bridges, Virtue, Walter Hawkins, Lashun Pace, Byron Cage, Tramaine Hawkins,
Donald Lawrence, Tone', Karen Clark-Sheard, Kim Burrell, and others.
Proceeds from the sale of the song will be donated to "A Community of Unity,"
a nonprofit led by Hawkins that raises funds for a variety of San Francisco Bay
Area charities.
"For the sake of our children, it is our responsibility to heal the planet," said
Hawkins. "We should take responsibility to maintain the natural resources we
were given. I contributed this song to help raise awareness for the need for
change before it is too late."
Celebrity gospel and pop artists who participate in the recording will be invited
to sing with the choir, at which UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is scheduled
to give the closing remarks. The ceremony will cap a weeklong series of
environmental programs, including an international sustainable floral symposium,
an environmental education program for local youth, and decorating the city with
organic flowers and floral sculptures.