'Playing For Change': 'etown' brings YouTube sensation to Denver (VIDEO)

Mark Johnson believes that the power of music can unite the world, so he set off on a four-year journey to create the groundbreaking documentary "Playing For Change."

The Grammy-winning producer and his crew visited the streets of New Orleans, South Africa, a Zuni Indian reservation, the Middle East and Europe for this epic project. The filmmakers captured musicians from around the globe -- including two with local ties -- as they performed songs that united all the artists into one musical family.

Johnson didn't know he was going to create a global movement and inspire TV producer Norman Lear to join the cause. The entertainment pro is now an integral partner of this foundation.

"We really want 'Playing For Change' to raise the consciousness on this planet," Johnson said. "Now that Norman Lear has stepped in as a partner, we're getting ready to create the next chapter."

Fueled by a YouTube clip for "Stand By Me," the "Playing For Change" DVD/CD is creating a momentum and its branched off into live concerts. Johnson and the "Playing For Change" band will appear at Denver's Paramount Theatre for a special Sunday "etown" show.

The idea

Every movement has a pivotal point, and Johnson had his musical epiphany at a New York subway station.

"The trigger moment for 'Playing For Change' came when I saw two monks perform at a NYC subway station," Johnson said. "The monks were painted white and people didn't understand them, but 200 people stopped to watch this street performance.

"It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. I realized that great music and art has the ability to inspire people and cross all boundaries."

Johnson then headed out to Santa Monica, Calif., where he recorded street performer Roger Ridley and the film's initial tune, "Stand By Me."

As they traveled the world, the filmmakers added tracks to Ridley's performance. The filmmakers taped musicians around the globe playing "Stand By Me" and other tunes, and then layered the pieces together to make full, cohesive songs. Interviews with the individual artists rounded out the DVD.

"We started out with the song 'Stand By Me' because the lyrics are all about standing by each other," Johnson said. "It's a great universal message. Then we added songs by Bob Marley, other artists and some originals."

Filming

Directing "Playing For Change" fell on the shoulders of filmmaker Jonathan Walls.

"I really got the chance to spend time with all these musicians and saw the joy they shared with their music," Walls said. "The vision of the film was to explore the essence

A scene from "Playing For Change."

"As we traveled, we talked to the musicians of all cultures. We filmed musicians on the streets of New Orleans, on a Native American Zuni reservation, backyard jazz groups in South Africa and musicians playing to large street crowds in Barcelona."

Walls said the film was made with a skeleton crew, but that made it easy to capture the enthusiasm of the international artists.

"The filming was very spontaneous," Walls said "Everywhere we went, we found the passion and the freedom the music gave these people.

"We did the filming with only four of us, and we had three cameras rolling at once. We just let the stories unfold as we filmed."

Colorado connection

Colorado music fans were pleasantly surprised to see "Washboard" Chaz Leary featured in "Playing For Change."

Leary was a well-known Boulder performer, but he moved to New Orleans nine years ago.

"There were better opportunities for me in New Orleans, but 'Playing For Change' has really helped my career," Leary said. "People are coming up to me in Italy and New York. They saw me on YouTube and it's bringing more people to the shows."

Leary is proud to be part of this project, although he won't be part of Sunday's show.

"I think the movie is pretty cool and interesting," Leary said. "It really shows how music can unify and bring people together."

Mohammed Alidu is originally from Ghana, but the drummer now lives in Louisville and he's part of the "Playing For Change" band.

"This band is very unique," Alidu said. "We come from all over the world. Our languages are very different, but the message is all about bringing everyone in the world together.

"I also helped support the building of the 'Playing For Change' music school in my hometown," Alidu said. "It's on part of my family's property in Ghana."

Looking ahead

Boulder's socially conscious "etown" will host Denver's "Playing For Change" show.

"There's an alignment with 'etown' and 'Playing For Change," "etown's" Nick Forster said. "We both have powerful messages about music crossing boundaries. We're going to have the band and director Mark Johnson at the show, so it will be an interesting combination."

Johnson said he's ready to take his project to the next level.

"This film and concert is really the first step for us," Johnson said. "We've already set up music schools in South Africa, Ghana and Nepal. The idea is to build hundreds more and connect all the kids through the Internet.

"I believe this foundation can help make the world a better place."