The APA of Missouri and other animal shelters across the country are the beneficiaries of a collaboration that includes 17 Nashville songwriters, their dogs and a St. Louis-based marketing agency that inspired the concept.
Seventeen Nashville songwriters and artists have released a showcase album featuring original songs in tribute to man’s best friend. The album, “Rock and Roll Over,” was written, produced and recorded entirely in lockdown with each artist’s four-legged friend nearby.
Dog lovers can now download their favorite songs for free by donating to their animal shelter of choice. Each of the 17 songs – such as “Woooooo All Day” (basset hound), “Pit Bulls Rock,” “Do the Dachs-Hound,” and “Little Lion” (shih tzu)” – represent a major dog breed.
The collaboration is in partnership with more than 20 shelters across the country, including the Animal Protective Association (APA) of Missouri, which is headquartered in Brentwood.
“All donations are critical,” said APA of Missouri executive director Sarah Javier, adding that fundraising is down due to the economy and the coronavirus, and while the APA is doing what it can to help pets stay with their owners, the potential evictions that may result due to the pandemic will make donations more critical than ever.
One hundred percent of the album’s proceeds will go to the shelters.
The production was inspired and sponsored by St. Louis marketing agency Moosylvania, to share the joy and love of dogs and support adoption during this challenging time.
“These artists have all been directly affected by the pandemic in terms of cancelled shows and tours and this project gave them the opportunity to showcase their creativity while helping shelters raise money nationwide,” said Norty Cohen, founder of Moosylvania. “We’re highlighting the ones who need adoption by rocking the joy our dogs bring to us every day.”
The project not only created work for the Nashville-based musicians, but also for the agency’s local staff during lockdown. Cohen covered the cost of the artists, as well as the production of the resulting album.
The album’s recent Nashville Sessions were co-produced by Steve McWilliams and Debra Buonaccorsi (The Truehearts) and Dave Coleman, with contributions from Bob Lewis, Mike Younger, Megan Palmer, Jason Quicksall, Jamie Rubin, David Conrad, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, Meghan Hayes, Irakli Gabriel, Anana Kaye, Steve Rempis, Mark Robinson and Jimmy Catlett.
The artists were approached by Cohen and producer/artist Steve McWilliams of The Truehearts in early April on a group Zoom call, and were tasked with writing about specific breeds and submitting them for consideration on the album.
“They asked whose point of view they should write from – the dogs or their owners?” Cohen said. “I told them to be creative and surprise us. And they did.”
Download the songs from “Rock and Roll Over” for free by donating to the animal shelter nearest you. Visit JustFurrFun.com to download and donate.
