I spent part of my childhood in Zimbabwe and feel a great affinity for the country, its culture and its people.  SOS Children’s Villages is a remarkable charity that supports children who have been abandoned or orphaned (often through AIDS) and integrates them into a loving family environment.  They are nurtured and supported by an SOS ‘Mother’ and other children in their SOS home, who become their SOS brothers and sisters.  SOS Children’s Villages has expanded to almost 500 villages in 132 countries. It’s now the world’s largest orphan and abandoned children’s charity; in Zimbabwe alone, there are three villages that are helping children to build their own future.

When it came time to release my album I wanted to try and involve this wonderful charity somehow in our plans. By allowing people to host a widget on their own page or blog, every time someone buys the album, $1 is donated by my record label, S-Curve, in the host’s name to SOS (or one of the other charities on my website).  I feel very privileged to have my songs released, but most importantly it has allowed me an opportunity to try and support children in a country that holds so many wonderful childhood memories for me and has served as inspiration for some of my music. I cannot thank you enough for your time and support. Oh, and I hope you enjoy the album too!

(If you’d like to support the Discover & Donate program, click “share” on the widget below, and click to publicize it to your online friends.)

Lots of people dream of writing the Great American Novel. When I first heard demos of Diane Birch’s songs, I realized she had the potential to record the Great American Album—and I signed her immediately. There was something simultaneously intimate and epic about Diane’s songs; something completely fresh and contemporary, yet utterly timeless. These songs mined so many of the richest veins of America’s popular musical heritage: from New Orleans R&B to Brooklyn doowop; from the Brill Building to 70’s Southern California singer-songwriters; from southern gospel to Philly soul; from the Velvet Underground to the Carpenters.

And so we set out to construct an album that would be worthy of such ambitious architecture, that would bring these songs to life in the manner they so richly deserved. Diane, co-producer Mike Mangini and I headed down to New Orleans and did some sessions with the great George Porter Jr. of the Meters on bass and the mind-blowing Stanton Moore on drums and percussion. That clanky rhythmic sound you hear on “Valentino”? That’s Stanton banging his drumsticks against a metal police barrier we dragged in from Piety Street. Back in New York, we enlisted the Patti Smith Group’s legendary guitarist Lenny Kaye, whose playing skills are rivaled only by his encyclopedic knowledge of  all things pop, and  bassist Adam Blackstone of the Roots, who brought on the funk. Miami soul queen Betty Wright was enlisted to produce Diane’s vocals, reuniting Mike, Betty and I as producers on our first album together since the first two Joss Stone albums.

Having laid down the foundation, we added glorious touches, such as the great tenor background vocals of Eugene Pitt, of the long-ago doowop group the Jive Five, and falsetto master Michael Longoria, who played the Frankie Valli role in Jersey Boys. We recorded a string quartet led by former Klezmatics violinist Alicia Svigals; and for horns, we brought in our old friend Tom “Bones” Malone, who showed up with Lenny Pickett and several other great players, alternately channeling the grit of southern soul and the sophistication of Bacharach-esque pop. For good measure, we even threw in a 30-piece orchestra on a couple of songs. And—why not?—a gospel choir.

But at the heart of it all were Diane’s brilliant songs, her incredible lead and background vocals and her virtuouso keyboard skills. She played everything from piano to Rhodes to Farfisa, and even played guitar on a song called “Forgiveness.” Among such esteemed company as her storied sidemen, it’s Diane who commands your attention for every moment of “Bible Belt”—an album title that reflects the intellectual struggles and theological evolution experienced by this daughter of a traveling preacher.

The “Bible Belt” album to me also functions on another level: As a love letter to the very idea of the record album itself—a form that has become, in recent years, an endangered species. And yet, that’s how Bible Belt is intended to be heard: Straight through, as an album with a beginning, middle and end. We hope that’s how we hope you’ll listen to it.

Regarding the Discover & Donate campaign, we put this together for several reasons.  We wanted to offer something special to the people who committed to discover Diane’s music early on.  But rather than doing something typical, we thought it would be nice to make a widget to help people easily spread the word about Diane’s music via their blogs or social network pages and have an added incentive to give a little something back.  That’s why for anyone who makes purchase through the Discover & Donate widget, we’ll donate $1 to that charity.

Diane spent part of her life growing up in Zimbabwe and was drawn to support SOS Children’s charity.  With so many issues in our world today, we thought that adding other additional charity involvement would allow those who want to spread the word, be able to promote a cause they also feel strongly about, too.  We know that it’s just a small sampling of all the many great causes but hopefully, there’s something relatable to most people in the charitable choices.

Just $6.99 for 13 spectacular songs, and an opportunity to help a good cause while you’re at it. I’d call that a win-win.

Steve Greenberg is Founder and CEO of NY-based S-Curve Records as well as Chairman of social media platform Nabbr.  Having held many posts throughout his music career, including President of Columbia Records, Steve’s achievements include producing Joss Stone’s first two platinum albums, discovering teen sensation Hanson and wing a Grammy Award in 2001 for “Best Dance Recording” for the mega-hit “Who Let The Dogs Out”

Steve is currently promoting his latest musical talent, soul-stirring songstress Diane Birch whose debut album Bible Belt he produced.

The following is a recap of the Girl’s Night Out discussion on Twitter (#gno), which takes place ever Tuesday night from 9 to 11 p.m. CST to Twitter. Special guests singer Diane Birch and producer Steve Greenberg joined the chat to talk about making a difference through music.

DISCOVER & DONATE

@DianeBirch: PLEASE support the Discover and Donate program. I feel very passionate about helping orphans in Zimbabwe where I grew up as a child… I met so many orphans over the last few trips back there that it made such an impact on me to help.

Zimbabwe is a very beautiful place but sadly has been so run down by the leadership of Mugabe… I will say that Africa will always be so deep in my heart! It’s truly one of the most incredible places.

I’ve lived in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Australia, UK and the US. I’ve absorbed little bits of everything and created my world.

@steviegpro: The discover and donate campaign is a great way to raise money for 6 great charities while spreading the word about Diane’s album… The record’s doing well on its own–if you can get people’s attention w/music, why not put it to work for good causes?

For each Diane Birch album sold through the widget we donate $1 to 1 of 6 charities… If you have nowhere to embed the widget, just buy the album through the widget and $1 goes to charity http://tr.im/ndpV

The widget that sells the most albums wins a Diane Birch concert for you and your guests http://tr.im/ndpV

And please remember the hashtag #music4good Hopefully you’ll be seeing it a lot.

@rockandrollmama: ALSO: Don’t forget you can embed #music4good widget on your FB page, if you have no blog. http://tr.im/ndpV

DIANE’S MUSIC

@DianeBirch: I’ve always heard music since my first memory… but felt embarrassed by my voice. It was only when I realized that i had an effect on people.

My primary influence is classical music. It’s all my parents really played in the house. Church hymns too.

I used to play music in hotels and restaurants… My experience has been rather recent. Signed a publishing deal in 07 with EMI.

I’ve only really been taking myself seriously for the last 4 years or so! My manager in the UK found me on MySpace!

It’s hard for me to be objective about what it sounds like but i know that it sounds like me and its honest from the heart.

(Recording) is never what you think it will be. it had ups and downs as most things do where you put your heart and soul into it.

My fear of being in a relationship with no love…that inspired (the cover of What Is Love) for sure!

(On her recent album title, “Bible Belt”): My father was a conservative preacher and i felt in many ways restricted as a child.

My favorite place in all honesty is New York. I’ve really discovered my soul city! I also loved London very much! … New york is magical but it makes you work for it!

(Favorite music): Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney, Elton John, David Axelrod, T-Pain and MICHAEL MCDONALD… Daryl Hall… Beatles, beach boys, david axelrod, burt bacharach, MGMT, Fleet Foxes, david bowie, joni, carole, carly

@steviegpro: This is a great project because it was about making an album that could be listened to straight through–not just a bunch of singles… The album really holds up as a singular work–and it encompasses pop, gospel, doowop, r&b, rock even a little country… We had New Orleans R&B musicians, doowop singers, a gospel choir, even a 30 piece orchestra. It was the music equivalent of Cinemascope.

We recorded 18 songs. 13 are on the album. The keepers reared their heads as they were being made and those were the ones we focused on.

ADVICE FOR BUDDING MUSICIANS

@dianebirch: Just want to say to all you budding musicians, LISTEN to your own voice and don’t worry what everyone else is doing!

@steviegpro Just make a record that you actually love. Don’t try and sound like the radio. And write A LOT of songs.

Remember musical talent isn’t synonymus with technical skill. Encourage kids to make up songs–hidden talents will be revealed that way… I like to tell familiar stories and have the kids make up ‘music’ to underscore each character

HONESTY IS THE NEW PUNK!

@steviegpro Diane will be a big focus for the next year. But we also have Care Bears On Fire coming… three 13 year old girls from Bklyn who have a punk band. They write and play their instruments.

@dianebirch Honesty is the new punk!

@herbadmother: If, per @dianebirch, HONESTY IS THE NEW PUNK (which, yes) then maybe AUTHENTICITY IS THE NEW ROCK N’ ROLL?

@steviegpro Amen to HONESTY IS THE NEW PUNK. I think we’re heading into an age where the prefab will give way to the authentic.

STEVIEGPRO ON POP MUSIC

@steviegpro I’ve produced a bunch of records–Joss Stone, Jonas Bros, even Who Let The Dogs Out! And I was president of Columbia records once… In a long ago life I was a journalist and a radio DJ.

The Dogs made me a hero to my girls when they were little. I even barked on that record, which they just loved… I co-produced the first two Joss Stone albums and the first Jonas brothers album–all w/Michael Mangini. Plus executive produced MMMBop

JoBros are certainly talented enough to make the transition. I hope Disney let’s them experiment musically

They solicit me with music everywhere. I was once held up at customs while the officer played me his girl friend’s demo!

Anna Gonzalez was one of the first reporters to nightly bring internet and technology trends to local news viewers in North Texas. She left her position as a web reporter and producer to become a web entrepreneur and full-time blogger and is a contributing blogger for other sites—like Mom It Forward!  She considers her own mom her hero and for now she takes great care of two dog daughters.

• What: Girl’s Night Out (What’s GNO? Click here to find out!)
• When: Tuesday, June 2, 9-11 p.m. EDT
• Where: Tweet Grid (use #gno hashtag)
  
• Topic: Music
• Who: @dianebirch , @steviegpro
  
• RSVP: Enter your twitter URL/ID in the list below (e.g., http://twitter.com/jyl_momIF). If you would like to include your blog, please enter it next to your name. Make sure to include your twitter URL in the URL line. Please do not enter your blog URL there.

Remember to enter to win this week’s giveaway—an iPhone 8GB, a $50 iTunes gift card, and an autographed Diane Birch CD. Click here for details. Check out the widget here.

Giveaway Prizes

Three winners will be randomly selected to win one of these prizes:

• Grand Prize: iPhone 8GB, 2 Diane Birch concert tickets, an autographed Diane Birch CD
• First Place Prize: $50 iTunes gift card and autographed Diane Birch CD
• Second Place Prize: Autographed Diane Birch CD

Entry Requirements

To enter to win, you are required to do the following two things and leave a comment on this post by Monday, June 8 at midnight EDT, including a link to your blog or social networking site, your e-mail address, and information about your extra entries, if applicable:

1. Write a post on your blog or social networking site about the concept behind the Discover and Donate widget.
2. Post the Discover and Donate widget on your blog or social networking site.

To receive extra entries (for a total of three extra entries):

• Tweet about this giveaway, including this link: http://www.dianebirch.com/charity/index.php.
• Click here to join the Mom It Forward Facebook group.
• Post about this giveaway on your Facebook wall, including this link: http://www.dianebirch.com/charity/index.php.

The Fine Print

No purchase necessary to enter this giveaway. Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. Family members of Diane Birch, S-Curve Records employees, One2One Network, and the Mom It Forward team are ineligible to participate. All entries received after Monday, June 8 at midnight EDT will not be considered. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered.