Local poet among songwriters for St. Jude?s ?Songs of Love? project

Snowy Owl · Jan 21, 2007

Local poet among songwriters for St. Jude?s ?Songs of Love? project
http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/01/19/news/news02.txt

By Dixie Terry, for the Marion Daily Republican
Published: Friday, January 19, 2007 12:04 PM CST

MARION - Local poet Joy Rainey King has taken on a new assignment, that of writing ?Songs of Love? for terminally ill children who are patients at St. Jude?s Children?s Hospital in Memphis.

When King read an article in the September 29, 2006, issue of ?American Profile,? she became very interested in the volunteer project.

The ?Songs of Love? Foundation has recruited more than 500 professional songwriters to compose and record customized songs for some 8,000 seriously ill children, from across the United States.

Some of those celebrities include Billy Joel, Michael Bolton, Ronnie Spector and David Lee Roth, among many others. King, who has written 20 poetry books, several children?s books, and a number of songs, was eager to join the slate of songwriters who write personalized songs for ill children.

King contacted the music coordinator of the foundation, Kathryn Sherrell.

?These songs will mean more to me than all my poetry awards put together,? King said.

?I have written so much about sunsets and moonlight until I?m tired of it,? she added with a laugh.

The first song she wrote was for Jonas Robert Martz, a five-year-old, who has a brother, cousins, and a favorite stuffed dog, Scooter. The little boy can say his ABCs, forward and backward, King was told. This information was incorported into his song, which King completed in 10 minutes.

The professional songwriters donate their talents, as do the musicians. Costs and overhead average about $250 per song, with no cost to the families. Expenses are underwritten by private and corporate donations.

The foundation currently produces about 160 songs per month and maintains a full-time staff of three, plus two part-time employees.

?It is an honor to write for the foundation, but mostly, it is heartwarming,? King said. She gives thanks to God everyday for giving her the ability to write.

?This is the icing on the cake - to write for sick children (and) to bring them a little happiness in their lives.?

King will be holding a book signing on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 1-4p.m. at the Handfuls on Purpose bookstore on West Main Street in Marion. King will be signing her adult and children?s poetry books, and greeting her many fans.

Local poet among songwriters for St. Jude?s ?Songs of Love? project

Snowy Owl

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