Latria Roberts, 29, of Clifton, wanted to help the people of Africa in desperate need of drinking water, so she produced a CD of ten Christmas songs by local Indie artists called "Water of Life, A Christmas Gift to Africa" to raise money and help bring attention to that cause. "'Water of Life, A Christmas Gift to Africa' is our offering of hope and love to a nation of people who suffer from great poverty," says Roberts.
Inspired by her favorite group U2 and their work on behalf of Third World debt and African AIDS relief, Roberts found herself in tears after viewing a MTV special with Bono and Chris Tucker. "I was so moved when Bono talked about the desperate need for water wells. I knew I had to do something," she adds.
With a $4,000 personal loan, Latria produced one thousand copies of the CD album of traditional Christmas tunes recorded by fifteen local Indie artists including Katie Reider, Mohenjo Daro, Ashley Peacock, Theory Hazit, Lucky Spaulding, and Michael Jantz. Under Roberts' Enlightened X Productions label, 'Water of Life' was produced and recorded locally by Todd Buck at the Waycross Studios in Forest Park.
The cost of the 'Water of Life' CD is $15.00 with $5 from each CD sold going to World Vision, which disperses the funds for hiring villagers to dig water wells in remote rural areas in Africa. Information about World Vision and its programs can be found at www.WorldVision.com. Roberts recently donated three hundred copies of the 'Water of Life' to the Westside Vineyard Church, which is selling the CD at local Danbarry Cinemas in support of the church's outreach program in Africa. Twelve dollars from each CD sold will go to supporting Westside Vineyard Church's outreach program in Kenya. To purchase 'Water of Life' online, go to http://cdbaby.com/cd/wateroflife
"I feel so blessed (living in America with what so many people around the world consider luxuries.) (Since) I know quite a few local musicians," says Roberts, "(so) I called them up and told them about my idea to create a Christmas CD featuring regional Indie artists with proceeds going to hire villagers to dig wells in Africa where drinking water is scarce." Those she contacted were encouraging and even enthusiastic.
Visiting area clubs, she approached some other bands and artists whose music she admired and asked if they too would participate and record their version of a traditional Christmas song for a CD. Roberts adds, "I wanted the songs to represent what the heart of this project is, love, so I picked songs I thought would represent the true Christmas spirit." With her personal loan, hard work, and contributions from fifteen local musical artists, Latria's dream of a Christmas CD finally became a reality.
Here is the list of artists and songs in order of appearance on "Water of Life, A Christmas Gift to Africa":
1. Michael Jantz and Big Hoke with MC Verb Math, Cleveland, OH, "I Saw Three Ships"
2. Theory Hazit and Wonder Brown, Cincinnati, OH, "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear"
3. Odd Man Out, Cincinnati, OH, "Oh Holy Night"
4. Brian Ferry and Dennis Davis, Covington and Highland Heights, KY, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
5. Minister Mayham, Cincinnati, OH, "The First Noel"
6. Katie Reider, Cincinnati, OH, "Silent Night"
7. Mohenjo Daro, Florence, KY & Cincinnati, "We Three Kings"
8. John Daley, Erlanger, KY, "O Come O Come Emmanuel"
9. Ashley Peacock, Cincinnati, OH, "What Child Is This"
10. Lucky Spaulding, Cincinnati, OH, "Presence Of The Lord"(original song)
'Water of Life' is available through www.CDBaby.com , the CD Game Exchange stores in Cincinnati, Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Danbarry Cinemas, and Barnes and Noble in Newport on the Levee.
To request an interview, for more information, or to purchase or distribute the CD "Water of Life, A Christmas Gift to Africa," contact Latria Roberts at (513) 289-5030.
Media Contact:
Latria Roberts
2341 West Clifton Ave.
2nd FL
Cincinnati, OH 45219
(513) 289-5030