MVP3 Foundation creates change and gives back through Music

"Simple Song of Freedom"

MEMPHIS MUSICIANS UNITE IN BOBBY DARIN’S SIMPLE SONG OF FREEDOM TO BRING PEACE AROUND THE WORLD

MEMPHIS, TN, (November 15th, 2023) - Memphis musicians are uniting in song in a worldwide humanitarian effort to raise one voice to bring peace and love to the world threatened by war through a remake of Bobby Darin’s 1969 song, Simple Song of Freedom. This Memphis music project was spearheaded by Italian guitarist/songwriter/producer, Mario Monterosso, a resident of Memphis since 2016. Simple Song of Freedom was written by Bobby Darin, and first recorded and released by Tim Hardin in 1969. Darin, known for his hits, such as “Splish Splash,” “Mack The Knife,” and “Dream Lover,” ventured into the burgeoning folk scene in the late 1960s, with his albums “If I Were A Carpenter," “Born Walden Robert Cassotto,” and “Commitment,” reissued this year on the artist’s Direction Records. Darin passed away 50 years ago this December.

Monterosso has a passion for helping others, and has a great love for Memphis music that began in 1982, when the rockabilly European revival started. When asked how his mission originated to remake the Simple Song of Freedom by Bobby Darin, Mario Monterosso stated: “Simple Song of Freedom, written by the late, great Bobby Darin, in 1969, is still, after almost 60 years, powerfully appropriate for this current moment in history, in which, sadly, freedom is constantly assaulted by wars. The message contained in this song through resoundingly bold sounds matches perfectly with the spirit of the City of Memphis, which remains today the Capitol of Music and Soul. The brilliant message and spirit of Bobby Darin, and Memphis’ great vibes are blended together in this production to give to the world a message of hope, peace, love, and freedom.”

The MVP3 Foundation and MVP3 Records joined in Monterosso’s mission to help roll out this project in an effort to bring this song to global attention. MVP3 Foundation and MVP3 Records is releasing the song on Sunday, November 26, 2023, through Select-O-Hits, an American independent record label distributor of music based in Memphis, owned by Sam W. and John Phillips, co-founded in 1960 by their father, Tom and uncle, Sam Phillips. Sam Phillips is the founder of the legendary Sun Records, where Elvis, Johnny Cash and many others started their careers. The MVP3 brand and trademark were created in Memphis in 2005. The founder of the MVP3 brand, Marie Pizano also spearheaded the non-profit organization, MVP3 Foundation, whose mission is to help heal and educate communities with Memphis musicians, filmmakers and other artists through its many programs, events and films. Marie Pizano, President of MVP3 Foundation and owner of MVP3 Records states, “MVP3 is all about Films, Music and Community. I am very humbled to have this song released on our platform. Our mission is to help highlight Memphis talent through this song. We need love right now, we need peace! This song needs to be heard all over the world to inspire unity, while helping children’s hearts heal all over the world. The unified decision was made to give back from this song to the Novick Cardiac Alliance organization.” The Novick Cardiac Alliance, headquartered in Memphis, is a global organization that has been working to ensure that children with life threatening illnesses continue, despite war, to receive the treatment they need. A portion of proceeds from this remake of Bobby Darin’s creation are donated to the Novick Cardiac Alliance. It is particularly appropriate and poignant, because Darin died at 37, due to cardiac disease, after suffering recurring bouts of rheumatic fever as a child. Bobby Darin passed away on December 20th, 1973.

Since the middle of the 20th century, Memphis Music has been the strongest musical bridge across the world, and now many Memphis musicians have come together in solidarity as one voice to create a bridge of hope and freedom for the holidays. This non-political project that Mario Monterosso conceived and produced was recorded and filmed at the renowned Sam Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis, with Emmy Award-winning film composer and Grammy-nominated music producer, Scott Bomar as Recording Engineer. Many internationally known Memphis musicians, singers, and cultural organizations of Memphis are supporting this effort, including, Priscilla Presley, Memphis Queen of Soul Carla Thomas, Kallen Esperian, Rev. Charles Hodges, Dr. Gary Beard, Dr. Keith Norman of First Baptist Church Broad, and Bar-Kays' founding member Larry Dodson. Their combined efforts and talents merged into the name Memphis Freedom Band.

Priscilla Presley states,“As a beacon of hope beaming from Memphis, the epicenter of Modern Music, comes the united voices of preeminent musicians proclaiming a Simple Song of Freedom to give hope to the darkest corners of this world caught in conflict. If Elvis were here, he would join in this anthem of hope. Elvis and Bobby Darin dared to dream of a better world through their music. Emanating from Memphis, join our musical prayer for freedom and peace for those torn apart by wars that are raging on our planet. Love wins.”

"This is a beautiful rendition of Simple Song of Freedom. The world today is in a state of unrest, similar to the time this song was written, and fifty years after the passing of Bobby Darin we love to see his music living on in the spirit it was intended” Amy Abrams of 7S Management, on behalf of the Bobby Darin Estate.

The music video, which includes a special message from Priscilla Presley was produced and directed by Mario Monterosso. The filming and editing was performed by Billie Worley. It is scheduled to release on December 20th, 2023. An “unveiling” of the music video ceremony with a panel of speakers will be held at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

See the Unveiling video here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1xYUQUczvQ

Music Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRtrhpB5BUI

For more information and interview inquiries, please contact info@MVP3media.com or Belinda Foster at awjplatinum@gmail.com

Other links:
Bobby Darin www.bobbydarin.net
Mario Monterosso www.MarioMonterosso.com
MVP3 Foundation www.MVP3foundation.org
Novick Cardiac Alliance www.Cardiac-Alliance.org
Select-O-Hits www.selectohits.com
“Simple Song of Freedom” - Preview https://orcd.co/memphisfreedomband Music Video “Unveiling” Event Details: https://thebrooks.org/songoffreedom

###

"House That Love Built"

"Simple Song of Freedom"

“House That Love Built” Gets A New Release to Impact the Lives of Children

MEMPHIS, TN ( February 26th, 2026)—A song being re-released is giving back to help children in need. Memphis singer/songwriter, Rice Drewry teamed up with the MVP3 Foundation and MVP3 Records to re-lease the song, “House That Love Built” that was inspired by the children battling cancer. The song was originally released on January 30, 2010. It was written by Rice Drewry performed by Jimi Jamison and produced by the late Jack Holder. The MVP3 Foundation with MVP3 Records , founded by Marie Pizano took the task of re-releasing the song to add to the momentum of honoring Jimi Jamison, and contributing to his mission by giving back to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his memory. Holder, a Memphis guitarist and producer who starred in some of the biggest local bands of the 1970s and ’80s before becoming an in-demand sideman for such national acts as Tracy Chapman and Buddy Guy, died in 2015 from complications from cancer. He was 62. Jimi Jamison at 63, unfortunately died in 2014 from cardiovascular disease. Jimi Jamison is best known for performing the songs "Burning Heart" from the film Rocky IV, "The Moment of Truth" from The Karate Kid, along with other top-20 hits "I Can't Hold Back”, "High On You”, "The Search Is Over" and "Is This Love". Jimi was inducted to the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame last year, however, his musical journey began in his early teenage years, as frontman for many known bands and soared to incredible heights in the 1980s. He didn't just sing; he co-wrote numerous chart-topping hits. He is also known for having co-written and performed the theme song "I'm Always Here" for the 1990s TV series Baywatch. Drewry originally released the song, “House That Love Built” on Jan 30, 2010, in hopes to give back through this song to help children who were battling cancer, and other diseases. Dr. Rice Drewry is Primary Care Physician practicing at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Born and raised in Memphis, Rice Drewry has been playing guitar and writing songs for over twenty years. Early influences include the Beatles, James Taylor, and the Eagles mixed with Memphis stew of music including Keith Sykes, John Kilzer, Sam and Dave, and Al Green. Toss in Mellencamp and Tom Petty and you’ll know why his music tends to be pretty eclectic. Rice has been a member of the Memphis Songwriter’s Association for over twenty years, always learning new ways to sharpen his craft from his fellow songwriters and artists. He often performs his original material with full band, Rice Drewry Collective, an acoustic trio - 3 Degrees, and songwriter rounds such as those at 550 South Main, Memphis’ premier songwriter venue. Drewry was awarded as the MSA Songwriter of the Year 2023. “There is nothing so thrilling as sharing an original tune with people and seeing it make a real connection,” said Drewry. Marie Pizano, Founder and President of MVP3 Foundation said, “We really wanted to get behind this song because of our passion to highlight Memphis Music, and the supreme talent that we have here in Memphis. My main reason and passion is to give back to community. We can do this by helping community to heal and create change through the arts.” In the early 2000’s, Pizano started her career in the music industry after producing the benefit at the New Daisy on Beale Street called, “Rock for Hope” that benefited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Soon after the event, she started managing musicians. She helped them secure music licensing into films, and secured record label deals. Throughout his career, Jimi Jamison never forgot the unwavering support of his fans, and he reciprocated that support by giving back to multiple causes, such as, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The re-release date is set for Friday, March 1st, 2024 through Select-O-Hits digital release platform. Pre-sales start today. Download “House That Love Built” at https://orcd.co/jamison.