Local singer/songwriter Forrest Jenkins will host a concert of original songs focused around the 12-steps for recovery from addiction at Caffe Lena on Sunday, May 3.
The concert titled "Songs Regarding Life Recovery" will feature 12
songs that specifically correlate around the 12-step programs to
recovery from all addictions including gambling and over-eating as well
as drugs and alcohol.
"These are all songs that correlate around a 12-step, program and I have written a song that correlates to each specific step as well," Jenkins said. "They are written in an open-ended way that they don't necessarily relate to one specific type of program."
Jenkins added that all of the vices that affect people work the same exact steps in their programs
The idea for the song-cycle came to Jenkins when he started writing a new collection of songs in mid-February. Jenkins said he didn't originally intend for the songs to be about recovery from addiction but after he had written the first three songs he realized they correlated with the basic principals of a 12-step program.
Jenkins added that the songs were out of his normal writing scope or subject matter which usually revolves around relationships, love and spirituality - although he noted there are aspects of spirituality in some of the songs as it does relate to the 12-step program.
Each song also has a distinctly different flavor and style of music that include country, gospel and alternative rock. The songs range from solo, to partial-instrumentation to a full-group. Jenkins said the songs that are solo performed connect to some of the aspects of the 12-step program that are individual-oriented and the ones that feature a group performance are based around the steps on how one connects themselves to a group during recovery.
"I didn't intend for the songs to necessarily work out in that way, but as I continued to write I realized I had the opportunity to add this dimension to the show," Jenkins said.
Jenkins added that the songs also feature an aspect for people who are not fighting addictions, but have felt the affects of addiction from relationships they have had with family, friends and spouses.
"These people also use the same steps as those who are fighting addiction," Jenkins said. "It would be hard for anyone not to be able to connect with the songs because everyone that isn't living in a bubble either has a vice of their own or knows someone who is fighting some kind of addiction."
Aside from the opportunity to share his songs about recovery with people fighting or coping with addiction, Jenkins is also using the show as a chance to create a live recording which he will then make into a CD. He expects the CD to be complete at the end of May and available at his live shows thereafter.
Jenkins said that he feels once the CD is released, he will have a product that can be classified as a self-help tool. He intends to also look into other venues he can bring the concert to, including sober music festivals, recovery conventions and national speaker circuits.
Aside from Jenkins, a number of other area musicians including guitarist George Fletcher of the Tequila Mockingbirds and flutist Matt Murphy will be on-hand to perform a number of the songs alongside Jenkins.
"Songs Regarding Life Recovery" will take place at Caffe Lena on Sunday, May 3 at 2:30 p.m. Advanced tickets are $9 and can be obtained by calling 1-800-838-3006 or by visiting www.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets will also be available at the door for $11.
"These are all songs that correlate around a 12-step, program and I have written a song that correlates to each specific step as well," Jenkins said. "They are written in an open-ended way that they don't necessarily relate to one specific type of program."
Jenkins added that all of the vices that affect people work the same exact steps in their programs
The idea for the song-cycle came to Jenkins when he started writing a new collection of songs in mid-February. Jenkins said he didn't originally intend for the songs to be about recovery from addiction but after he had written the first three songs he realized they correlated with the basic principals of a 12-step program.
Jenkins added that the songs were out of his normal writing scope or subject matter which usually revolves around relationships, love and spirituality - although he noted there are aspects of spirituality in some of the songs as it does relate to the 12-step program.
Each song also has a distinctly different flavor and style of music that include country, gospel and alternative rock. The songs range from solo, to partial-instrumentation to a full-group. Jenkins said the songs that are solo performed connect to some of the aspects of the 12-step program that are individual-oriented and the ones that feature a group performance are based around the steps on how one connects themselves to a group during recovery.
"I didn't intend for the songs to necessarily work out in that way, but as I continued to write I realized I had the opportunity to add this dimension to the show," Jenkins said.
Jenkins added that the songs also feature an aspect for people who are not fighting addictions, but have felt the affects of addiction from relationships they have had with family, friends and spouses.
"These people also use the same steps as those who are fighting addiction," Jenkins said. "It would be hard for anyone not to be able to connect with the songs because everyone that isn't living in a bubble either has a vice of their own or knows someone who is fighting some kind of addiction."
Aside from the opportunity to share his songs about recovery with people fighting or coping with addiction, Jenkins is also using the show as a chance to create a live recording which he will then make into a CD. He expects the CD to be complete at the end of May and available at his live shows thereafter.
Jenkins said that he feels once the CD is released, he will have a product that can be classified as a self-help tool. He intends to also look into other venues he can bring the concert to, including sober music festivals, recovery conventions and national speaker circuits.
Aside from Jenkins, a number of other area musicians including guitarist George Fletcher of the Tequila Mockingbirds and flutist Matt Murphy will be on-hand to perform a number of the songs alongside Jenkins.
"Songs Regarding Life Recovery" will take place at Caffe Lena on Sunday, May 3 at 2:30 p.m. Advanced tickets are $9 and can be obtained by calling 1-800-838-3006 or by visiting www.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets will also be available at the door for $11.
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