This one is different, too.  There is an interesting show in Buford,

GA on March 3rd that I want to tell you about but this is really all

about the release of my “Just Us” video!

On February 1st, www.soultracks.com debuted the “Just Us” video which

features my soul sister, Avery Sunshine.  Please check it out and pass

it on.  We really want to share it with everyone because we had so

much fun making it.

http://www.soultracks.com/first-listen-rhonda-avery

I’d like to thank the director, Alex Magana and everyone else who

helped make it possible!
Peaceful Blessings,

Rhonda

Send me a message at rhondathomas@rhondasings.com.  I would love to

know what you are thinking.



Peaceful Blessings,

Rhonda

http://www.rhondasings.com/

http://www.facebook.com/RhondaThomasSings

This month’s newsletter is about something a little more important
than my next show…but the show information is available at
www.rhondasings.com !

HOW A SONG ABOUT DARFUR CAME TO BE

My mother, Gail Thomas is a phenomenally, insightful woman. She seeks
new information constantly and will readily share it with others. She
saw an advertisement of a woman with a brightly colored scarf draped
across her rich, dark skin and was moved to write the lyrics. My
friend Rock Nelson helped develop the music. The song speaks of the
genocide taking place in Darfur.  My mother connected with the woman
in the picture and wanted to tell her story of the pain she saw in her
eyes. The situation is horrifying and has been documented by Don
Cheadle and George Clooney in “Darfur Now”. I had the idea to feature
the voice of a woman, Nyabana Chol speaking Arabic (the language in
Darfur). The words were translated into English by her niece, Lainkor
Dang.

THE VIDEO FOR “DARFUR WOMAN”

We thought images would help to tell the story.  Please check it out!

http://youtu.be/aFy6F4xOo1M

INFORMATION ABOUT GENOCIDE IN DARFUR

According to Genocideintervention.net, since 2003, the genocidal
conflict in Darfur has devastated millions of non-combatant civilians
and resulted in the death of at least 200,000 people.

After decades of war, North Africa’s largest country, Sudan officially
split in two on July 9, 2011.  This formalizes the independence of
South Sudan but there is still much to be done.  This conflict has
displaced over 2.7 million people and human rights violations
continue.

Please research what is happening there and look into organizations
that are designed to help such as: Amnesty International, The Council
on Foreign Relations, UNICEF, Rescue.org, Genocideintervention.net,
International Crisis Group, and CARE.

WHO MADE THIS SONG POSSIBLE

Written by: R.Thomas/G. Thomas/M. R. Nelson
Lead & Background Vocals: Rhonda Thomas
Intro Vocals: Mark “Rock” Nelson
Keys: Mark “Rock” Nelson
Bass: Darrell Freeman
Drums: John Roberts
Percussion: Raphael Pereira
Kalimba: Kevin Spears
Arabic Spoken Words: Nyabana Chol
English Translation: Lainkor Deng

DARFUR WOMAN LYRICS:

HOW CAN HER FACE LOOK SO LIKE MINE
WITH EYES I NEVER WILL FORGET
A VEIL OF SUFFERING A VEIL BORN OF SHAME
A COLORFUL DRAPE OVER HER HEAD

THIS FACE PASTED ACROSS
THE WORLD’S CHRONICLES
OF NEWS OF GENOCIDE

TRIED NOT TO NOTICE DIDN’T WANT TO SEE
TOLD MYSELF SO WHAT SHE LOOKS JUST LIKE ME
OH DARFUR WOMAN WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN
PAIN AND INJUSTICE IN A WAR TORN COUNTRY

THEY CALL HER THIRD WORLD
LIVIN’ FOR A SECOND CHANCE
LOOKIN’ FOR THE FIRST SIGN OF RELIEF

BUT WHEN I LOOK IN THE MIRROR SHE’S CRYING OUT TO ME

HER FACE SEEMS TO BE CONNECTING WITH ME
BUT SHOULD I CARRY HER LOAD
OR BE HER VOICE IN AN UNCARING WORLD
THE BURDEN’S HEAVY ON MY SOUL

THE LOOK OF LOSS IN HER EYES
IS TOO GREAT TO BEAR
THE VISION LIVES IN MY HEAD

I AM HERE SEE ME I AM A HUMAN BEING
A WOMAN A MOTHER A CHILD
I AM MY MOTHER’S DAUGHTER
AS SHE HER MOTHER’S DAUGHTER
AND SO IT GOES ON TO THE VERY BEGINNING OF HUMAN LIFE
BACK TO THAT VERY FIRST MOTHER OF HUMAN LIFE
AN AFRICAN WOMAN

OH I DIDN’T WANT TO SEE
I TOLD MYSELF SHE COULD BE ME
OH DARFUR WOMAN WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN
PAIN IN YOUR WAR TORN COUNTRY

DIDN’T THINK I COULD HELP
DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO
YOUR EYES THEY LOOK LIKE MINE
I SEE ME IN YOU
YOUR PAIN, YOUR PAIN, YOUR PAIN

**Arabic lyrics for middle part of Darfur Woman

I am here, see me! I am a human being, a woman, a mother, a child.
I am my mother's daughter, as she her mother's daughter…and so it goes
to the very beginning of human life.
Back to that very first mother of human life…

Peaceful Blessings,
Rhonda

Send me a message at rhondathomas@rhondasings.com.  I would love to

know what you are thinking.



Peaceful Blessings,


Rhonda
http://www.rhondasings.com/
http://www.facebook.com/RhondaThomasSings

Please go to my link on iTunes and purchase “Listen”.  If you are moved, please write a review.  If you like the music, please tell someone.

http://bit.ly/rhondathomaslisten

If you would like to read the lyrics, liner notes and inspirations for each song, check out http://www.rhondasings.com/listenlounge/listen_lounge.swf.

A reporter asked me to describe my style of music this week and I told him, “Most of the lyrics come from my experiences and this makes the vocal delivery honest.  My signature is the percussive element that I bring to my music. I try to be creative in my vocals by always trying to think of different ways to sing my songs. I share the stage with my musicians.  We listen to and compliment each other.”  I hope that is what you hear in this new project, “Listen” and I pray that the music speaks to you.

Peaceful Blessings,

Rhonda

CD Album: Listen
Available Now – Item Shipped

Click here to buy

Moods Music has created this awesome window display for me.  Please go by Moods Music at 1131 Euclid Ave. in Atlanta’s Little 5 Points community. Check out the window, support Darryl and them, and pick up my cd, “Listen” while you are there.  If you aren’t in Atlanta, you can order “Listen” from my website, www.rhondasings.com.

Peaceful Blessings, Rhonda

CD Album: Listen
Available Now – Item Shipped

Guests:

Al Bell, former owner of Stax Records and currently the chairman of intellectual property company ABP

Rhonda Thomas, Atlanta-based vocalist who performed with Isaac Hayes for the past 11 years

Read the whole story here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93503140

Story by: http://www.npr.org

Come to the Wednesday Wind Down to see Rhonda Thomas Live Outside.  This is a free event.

See you there!

We are one month away from the release of my new album, “Listen”. (Release date-September 21st)  You can check out four of the new songs at www.reverbnation.com/rhondathomas.