Strum and S and B Help Kids Come Together in Song

In my wildest dreams, I could not have imagined a gymnasium or theatre full of children singing a song that I wrote. It was first sung by the main character in my picture book but, thanks to Sonshine and Broccoli (S&B), kids everywhere are singing "Different is Good". In case you are just catching up, I wrote a book called Strum and The Wild Turkeys. I was originally commissioned to write a story about a real life occurrence, but the themes that unfolded in my story compelled me to get it into classrooms, and I continue to be grateful to Edumatch for making that happen. In the book, Strum sings the chorus of the song.

I was in love with Strum before I saw his face. Alana McCarthy, the incredible artist and illustrator of Strum and The Wild Turkeys, tried for weeks to bring this character to life. When she finally nailed it, I was forever changed. No matter how many drawings kids send me or how many ways children, teachers, and parents connect to Strum, I never tire of this character and all that he represent for me. In the book, the chorus of the song where he finds his voice is the fulcrum of the story. 

When I started reading the book to classes and schools, it was Covid, and each virtual author visit brought new melodies to the chorus that I would share. One day, I was playing with a tune when my then 10 year old daughter said she loved it and could not stop singing it. I tried it with a group of hundreds of students, with families and caregivers singing along from home, and it stuck. Then, the incredible team behind the book encouraged me to complete the song lyrics. Once I did, I got to share more of Strum's story of exclusion and how music changed his life. It was what led The Wild Turkeys to start jamming with him and then inviting him to join the band.

After working on the music for "Different is Good" with Marc Shaprio, I was introduced by phone to the talented Lisa Sonshine of Sonshine and Broccoli. She immediately heard an anthem in the newly completed song and offered to record their own version of it and add it to their new album that would launch later that year. In January 2023, they made "Different is Good" a single from their acclaimed collection, Born to Be Brave (streaming everywhere), and have added it to their repertoire when singing at venues across the province and country. I have been so lucky to join them on stage a few times to share in the experience of proudly rocking my differences to our song.

This summer, S & B recorded a video for "Different is Good" at the ranch in the Kawarthas where the story of Strum and The Wild Turkeys is set. That will certainly help even more kids, families, schools, and communities come together to celebrate the themes of inclusion and belonging. I loved helping out at the shoot, and I never tire of seeing kids' reactions to the song. Now that the video is out, it feels like every elements of the story and song are perfectly woven together, and seeing Strum animated in is truly incredible for me.

For Friendship Week, this Juno-nominated duo spent several days performing at many Waterloo Catholic schools. S & B found each group engaged and excited about their music and our song. It was a special gift when the school agreed to let Lisa share this video of a gymnasium full of students belting out the chorus. When you see everyone singing this song together, you feel the power of music and why it matters in so many ways. When you want people to bond and feel connected, music is a natural resource for making that happen. Strum and Sonshine and Broccoli really do help kids come together in song.