Pillows for a Cure

Local band writes song to benefit "Pillows for a Cure" event

Louisville — A local band has taken its community to heart by writing and recording a song to benefit the Pillows for a Cure event to be held at the Paintball Asylum in Louisville on Aug. 7 for The Center for Courageous Kids and children with rare disorders.

The song, "Dare to Dream," was written by Jorena Faulkner and David Hasinfelt of the Louisville based rock, funk and blues band, Jaida Blue. Faulkner and Hasinfelt became aware of the event through Den of Sin Internet Radio Show Producer and event co-organizer Dusty June, whose son, Griffin, was recently diagnosed with Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome, a rare disorder which is often disabling and painful. June said her family didn't want to feel sorry for themself or Griffin, but wanted to take action. As a result, June — along with her eldest son, Torin Hofmann — came together to organize "Pillows for a Cure."

"As a mother, I have always prayed for the health and well-being of my children," Dusty June said. "I am so proud of my children for the way they're handling this situation … they're fighting back. Not just for themselves, but for others too. I couldn't ask for any more. However, with the planning and organization of the event, I had forgotten to take time to feel fear, anger, worry or sadness … although those are normal emotions. The benefit song, 'Dare to Dream,' has reminded me that it's okay to be scared, because with a little bit of faith, courage, and the support of amazing family and friends, you can accomplish anything."

The song — which was written and recorded in less than one week — is delivered from the perspective of Hofmann's love and commitment to Griffin, and loosely based on a conversation that might occur between the two. Faulkner said she wanted to capture the dedication of Hofmann to his younger brother (who is affectionately called “Griffy”) and lyrically take a positive, uplifting stance in the face of adversity.

"It was very important to me to bring hope to this struggling family and others like them," she said. "There was no question about it when I approached the band with the idea to write and record the song to benefit Pillows for a Cure. We all have families and we wanted to do what we could to help."

Jaida Blue is comprised of singer/songwriter Jorena Faulkner, bassist and musical composer, David Hasinfelt, guitarist David Carter, and veteran drummer Jody Wright. Hasinfelt said he knew the moment he heard the lyrics where to take the song musically.

"I felt the love," he said. "It was a humbling experience to create a work of art and know it could potentially help a local family in crisis and spread out to positively impact the lives of so many."

Dusty June said she truly hopes that everyone who listens to the song takes away the message that if two little boys can be so strong in the face of trauma, anyone can.

"My children love each other on so many levels, and this song represents not just their courage, but the strength of their brotherly bond," she said. "I am honored to know the members of Jaida Blue and blessed that everyone involved in this project is taking away the knowledge that they can overcome any obstacle with a little bit of courage if they 'dare to dream.'"

The benefit song can be downloaded from pillows-for-a-cure.soundfolder.com for $1.99. All profits from the sale of the song on SoundFolder.com go to Pillows for a Cure.

For more information on the Pillows for a Cure event, please contact Dusty June by e-mail at marketing@ denofsin.tv or call 270-307-5961.

For more information on Jaida Blue, please visit the band’s Web site at www.jaidablue.com.