“A Better Place” song and music video, along with the project’s collaborating producers and musicians, have been chosen as an Official Selection of the Fall 2024 Los Angeles Movie and Music Video Awards, a part of the Best Film Awards – IMDb Qualifying Film Festival.
The “A Better Place” movement began at the Central New York-based YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley with a song of hope, unity, and faith. Born during a tumultuous time in the world, the song and its music video grew to include musicians, artists, studios and other Ys around the world.
In selecting projects to celebrate, The IMBd Qualifying Film Festival jurors state they are “particularly interested in projects that celebrate diversity and offer unique storytelling, innovative visual styles, and compelling narratives”, while showcasing “unique perspectives and push the boundaries of artistic expression.”
The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley’s “A Better Place” song and music video proved to do just that.
“A Better Place”, the song, was written by then music teacher of the Oneida YMCA, Mathew Beadle, a Central New York-based country artist who performs regularly throughout the region in a collaborative effort with a team made up of Jeff Aderman and Pam Jardieu from Big Blue North Studios, Utica, NY; Hank Leo, CEO of the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley and Zainep Abdelaal, who sings lead vocals. All contributing artists wrote and performed their respective parts to the song. R&B legend Melba Moore trades vocals with Abdelaal; 3-time Grammy winners, the Soweto Gospel Choir and Uganda’s Watoto Children’s Choir, sing backing vocals. Mitchell Player and Criston Oates play upright and electric bass respectively, with Justin Smithson on electric guitar and Jessica Talbott on cello. Liberty Devitto plays drums, with Mbaalu Fred on thumb fiddle. Gloriah Umanah performs the spoken word piece written by Justin “Jay” Tull, a Christian spoken word artist. The song was recorded primarily at Big Blue North Studios by Jeff Aderman, mixed by Jason Brown in Atlanta, and mastered by Arian Carr. The music video was produced by Hank Leo and edited by Rick E Lewis, of Rome, NY.
Through the international language of music, the song aims to help heal racial divides, challenge preconceived opinions, and question cultural judgments and is part of a much larger project that includes additional songs, children’s books, before and after school curriculum, and a future documentary.
“We were all trying to stay connected during a global pandemic,” explained Hank Leo, YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley CEO. “From that, a song reflecting the timeless struggle between fear and hope, hatred and fellowship, ignorance and understanding was born. Seeing and hearing friends and partners from around the world, especially our young people during wars and other life-threatening circumstances, sing this universally appealing song has been a blessing. To have three choirs joining together on the chorus is simply amazing.”
Los Angeles Movie & Music Video Awards jurors are creators, producers, and entrepreneurs from around the world. The Awards project was designed to create a new opportunity for music and video artists to showcase their creations to a global audience. Their mission is to “recognize talent, passion, and to honor the best projects in both film and music video categories”.
To hear the song and see the official music video, visit the “A Better Place” website, www.abetterplaceproject.org .
You can find links to all the project collaborators and learn about the “A Better Place” movement.
For more information about the YMCA, please visit www.ymcatrivalley.org.
For further information and interviews, please contact:
Stephanie Neff, Marketing Specialist
YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley
315.534.8815
About the Project:
“A Better Place” is a YMCA global project encompassing original music, a documentary, children’s books and curriculum designed to help spread joy and positivity during challenging times. Its mission is to teach kids and adults the value of understanding, accepting and loving the unique differences of others from all around the world through song, a film documentary, children’s books and corresponding curriculum.
About the YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley
The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley serves the greater Rome, Oneida and Whitesboro areas with programs and services for the whole family. We are a 501c3 charitable non-profit organization with two primary branches in Rome and Oneida and school-age childcare in the Whitesboro area. The Y’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
