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Late one Spring near the end of the 1990’s, I awoke to what felt like someone sitting on my chest and I couldn’t breath. I managed to get outside to some fresh air and after several very scary moments, managed to get a little breath back. I spent the rest of the night in the back of the Toyota wagon.
The day before I had just moved into a trailer that had been home to someone who was a cat person. Being somewhat allergic to cats, I figured it was just a reaction to the concentration of cat cooties.
Plus the move was a very stressful and exhausting experience. There was just me and my Sweetie (of the time) and a big truck to be loaded, driven for 2 1/2 hours, unloaded and then returned. All in less than 24 hours, not to mention the days of smaller trips and all the prep that went into the move.
I had been struggling to breath through the Winter, but since I’d had some breathing difficulties early on in my Life, I thought it was just a bad cold or some kind of nagging bronchial infection that would eventually go away.
I figured it would pass.
And it did. For 2 days. Then it struck again and practically immobilized me. Forced to visit a Doctor, I was diagnosed with stress and allergy related Asthma.
During those 2 days of relief, I remembered what it was like for me growing up with allergies and other breathing and asundry ailments. The thought came to me, since there are children who never get a break from their difficulties, I should start a Foundation to raise funds to help them and their families deal with the cost of their afflictions. The name, the “Breath of Life Foundation”, came to me and I wasn’t sure how I would generate funds, only that I would.
While sharing this thought with a friend, he suggested my name should be attached. It felt right, hence the nomenclature, the “John C. Redell Breath of Life Foundation”, which is merely my way of expressing and fulfilling my desire and Plan to generate funds for children with breathing disorders. Other Charities and needs are now included in this concept.
Somewhere around that Time period, I discovered a Tuning for my Guitar that makes it possible for me improvise Pieces almost as easily as carrying on a conversation. Combine that with a Mini-Disk Recorder and the editing capabilities of a Computer, you have the perfect medium to Create hot off the press CDs.
I have documented this Odyssey for several years now and the number of unedited Mini- Disks, 90 minute cassettes and 2 hour Video tapes (audio only) is astounding.
Around 2001, using my Tuning, I started playing a Classical Guitar as the instrument of choice during the majority of these recordings.
A thought came to me about how many CDs I should Create for the Cause. If I travel to every State, and record my Classical in assorted settings while on the road, and use the Inspiration I get from my Journeys to record more Disks when I get home, Creating at least one CD from every State should be well within the bounds of reason.
Somewhere along the way, another thought came to me about raising funds to help reforest our Planet. More trees mean better air, which should mean, less breathing problems. I was considering a second CD from each State, but as mentioned previously, I now intend to use many of the “Breath of Life” CDs to benefit a variety of Charities.
So basically, all the profits from the sale of any Digital Downloads created for the “Breath of Life” will be used to help others in their area of greatest need, whatever that may be....
The Journey has already begun. In January of 2005, I made it to Key West, Florida. August, I was at Torch Lake in Michigan. I briefly visited New Hope, Pennsylvania and Canandaigua, New York in October.
There have been a few brief jaunts since then, but the Fall of 2008 seems to be the right Time to resume my Quest and pick up the momentum needed to see this through to the finish.
This could be Music History in the making. I know I’ve never heard of anyone recording this much Music. Especially with the thought of giving the $$$ from most of the CDs away to Friends and Charitable Causes.
If you want to help in this Quest you could download some CDs or single tracks or you could buy Art Disks. Tell your Friends and Family about my Site. Visit it yourself from Time to Time. It is a work in progress.
If you would rather make a Contribution, click the “Donate” Button. Your participation in this Adventure on any level is much appreciated. |
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the “John C. Redell Breath of Life Foundation” |
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John Redell |
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