ACCLAIMED SONGWRITER BEN ROGERS SHARES NEW SINGLE “THE HIGHWAY OF TEARS” IN SUPPORT OF BATTERED WOMEN THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
ALL PROCEEDS FROM “THE HIGHWAY OF TEARS” WILL AID BATTERED WOMEN’S SUPPORT SERVICES' INDIGENOUS WOMEN'S PROGRAM.
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PHOTO CREDIT : Ronnie Lee Hill // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES
As a valentine to those who often need love the most, Ben Rogers is releasing “The Highway Of Tears” in hopes of raising awareness about the ongoing issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women throughout Turtle Island. “My hope is that the song will inspire listeners and fans to take action,” say Rogers. Through sales of the song Rogers’ will be providing financial support to Battered Women's Support Services in Vancouver and specifically to Indigenous Women's Programs.
“I have been fortunate enough to witness the beauty and strength of native culture through my wife's Swampy Cree family. They are survivors, all of them. They are the bravest people I know and I admire their courage greatly. The time for autonomy, sovereignty, acknowledgement of ancestral land claims, treaty rights, human rights, and equality for Indigenous people must be attained. The lives of the women affected by these acts of violence must not be forgotten. Their families and friends must have answers. We must stand with them. I plan to do just that with my life and my music so long as I have breath in me and a song to sing. Or as some have said, ‘As long as the sun shines, the river flows and the grass grows’.”
A longer statement from Ben Rogers on the initiative can be found here.
PURCHASE “THE HIGHWAY OF TEARS” SUPPORTING BWSS HERE
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The single, “The Highway Of Tears”, is a sample of things to come from the Vancouver songwriter. In the near future Rogers will follow up his latest album, The Bloodred Yonder, with a new LP. This summer Rogers will also be performing a tour of house concerts along The Highway Of Tears in British Columbia. More details to come shortly.
The Bloodred Yonder was produced by JUNO Award nominated big brother Matt Rogers (The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer), and features some of western Canada's finest musicians with Matt Kelly (City and Color) on pedal steel and keys, Erik Nielsen (Rich Hope) on bass, John Sponarski (Portage and Main) on lead guitar, and Leon Power (Frazey Ford) on drums.
Based in Vancouver, Rogers is also an accomplished actor whose recent credits include Motive, CBC's Strange Empire, and a supporting role in dark comedy The Driftless Area starring Zooey Deschanel, Anton Yelchin, and John Hawkes that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. He has also penned songs with other artists including "Rise Up" for No Sinner, "Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To" and "Cry A Little" with The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, as well as their latest single “Get Ready”.
PRAISE FOR THE BLOODRED YONDER
“a kind of independent roots-rock mini-masterpiece … sets the bar for future artists to
strive to attain” The Winnipeg Free Press
“plenty of shiver-inducing moments thanks to an album that taps into a timeless essence usually found in the voices of more seasoned veterans.” Vancouver Sun
“gorgeous and tragic … Rogers's strong songwriting should not be ignored” Now Magazine
“a loving tribute to the golden age of country while bringing something new to the table. …swinging easily from bourbon-hazed ballads to gun-smoke folk to
paisley-dipped Americana” The Georgia Straight
“a real talent … twangy, rockabilly-tinged numbers and brooding country ballads” Exclaim!
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