The Fans of the Fanfare Project:
Memories in Music is so proud of the lovely fans who have committed to donate to Task Brasil's Casa Jimmy each month in honour of Jimmy Page. We'd like you to meet them, so we will be featuring them on the site. We hope they will inspire you to get involved. Our featured fan is Cynthia Blair from the US.
Once upon a time there was a girl who loved to read books, drew and painted all the fantasies that her imagination conjured up. Her parents didn't understand any of this. It was as if she were born into the wrong family. At the Summer House, when everyone else was on the beach, she'd stay inside and draw, listening to music. During the hot lazy nights, when the full moon shimmered over the water, she could hear the waves lapping the shoreline, and the night was still. She sat gazing at the moon, asking what path her life would take. But the moon didn't answer, the whispers of voices on the wind were evanescent, and the language they spoke was unknown to her. Olórë Mallë*, the path of dreams…the girl wandered through the great wood of Lothlorien*, during the Third Age of the Sun*. A single guitar melody wafted plaintively, and at first she strained to hear it, but soon it surrounded her and cascaded deep into her soul as she breathed in the notes. She wanted to laugh; wanted to cry- the music was so exquisitely beautiful. She wanted the dream never to end. The inspiration of that album (LZIV) was the beginning of her first major painting, the one that changed the direction of her life forever. It was that painting which gained her a place in Rhode Island School of Design's freshman class.
Many years passed, many diversions and adventures intervened. Reality closed in on the dreams, making the secret portal all but lost in a tangle of thorny vines, as if people and demands on her conspired to keep her from that joy, the slow decay of time distancing it from her grasp.
Fast forward to a Christmas Eve in 2008, suddenly it all sprang to life again, and the seed of long-forgotten dreams were aroused from their long sleep. He was on screen and playing it live. She was mesmerized, watching the dance of his fingers on the frets. The concert was '73, at Madison Square Garden-twenty minutes from where she had lived. Why hadn't she gone? How had she lost touch with something that was so important to her? In that moment, she knew she had to create a tribute to this person who could transport her back to the place she had loved and lost. Was she a good enough artist? Worthy? Perhaps not, but she could master anything she put her mind to, given time and dedication.
So she took a screen capture from that very DVD that had sent her spiraling back in time, and drew from it. She had drawn portraits before, met many young alternative rock bands and given them away as gifts or for charity. This one was somehow different. She knew she wasn't likely to meet Jimmy Page or have a chance to give him a painting, so to donate it to his charity seemed like a great idea. By chance she stumbled upon Memories in Music's old website, and dashed off an email to the Managing Director along with a .jpg. By coincidence (shall I say synchronicity?) Annie was much in need of a logo, a website design, and volunteer assistance. It has been a joy to work with Memories in Music, to share in the struggles as well as the triumphs.
The adventure is far from over, and everything, including this girl, is still a work in progress. Thank you, Jimmy, for the eternal inspiration. May we go forward with the courage to live our own dreams, as you have shown us the way.
* reference: JRR Tolkien, from the 'Lost Tales', and 'Lord of the Rings'
If Jimmy has inspired you, why not join us? Send an email to info@memoriesinmusic.com with the subject "Fanfare." We'll let you know how it works and add you to the list. This page will be updated monthly with the total amount of money sent to Casa Jimmy, and will have updates from Task Brasil and special events the Fanfare fans organise to raise funds. We'll also keep Jimmy informed about the list and our activities. We invite all Jimmy fans to be part of this exciting project! You can help the children in Brasil and do something Jimmy will appreciate. Come join us!
