New York, NY (Top40 Charts) THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS was formed as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that served as Afghanistan's only school of music for war-torn, poverty-stricken girls and young women until the Taliban's brutal takeover in 2021. American guitarist LANNY CORDOLA (founder and director of the organization) was able-despite several barriers and tons of red tape-to safely transport the girls and their families to the neighboring country of Pakistan, where they currently reside. In a mission to find a safe, permanent re-homing for the refugee girls and their families due to political and social unrest and widespread discrimination against Afghan refugees in Pakistan, CORDOLA began working with the girls on creating music to share their plight with the world.
In March THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS released a cover version of Tom Petty's 1989 classic 1989 hit "I Won't Back Down," featuring country superstar BLAKE SHELTON along with three Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees: iconic guitarist JOE WALSH (The Eagles, ex-Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band), legendary bassist TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT (The Eagles) and renowned drummer MATT SORUM (Guns N' Roses,
Velvet Revolver). Following its release, The
Tom Petty Estate shared the music video via
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' Facebook page calling it "a beautiful tribute." See below additional new quotes from the song's guest musicians.
"This was really special to be part of," commented SHELTON. "These girls are so inspiring."
"May music always bring you girls the inspiration and connection to a higher power that delivers you strength and joy," WALSH touchingly remarked. "I'm grateful to have shared this moment with you all. Peace and love."
SCHMIT relayed, "Lanny is a saint for being a part of these girls' lives by helping them move forward through music. Even after all they've experienced in their youth, you can see and feel their beautiful life forces shining through."
Echoing the sentiment, SORUM says, "I'm so proud of my longtime friend Lanny as he has shared the gift of music with these wonderful young girls that have been through so much. The joy they feel playing music gives them much-needed hope to persevere. They are an inspiration to us all. Please help them with their endeavors to relocate and spread their message of peace and love around the world."
"I WON'T BACK DOWN"
THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS - guitars & vocals
BLAKE SHELTON - vocals
JOE WALSH - guitar solo
TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT - bass
MATT SORUM - drums
GARY GRIFFIN - keyboards
DAVE PEARLMAN - pedal steel
CHAD SHLOSSER - guitar
Produced by LANNY CORDOLA and SARMAD GHAFOOR
Mixed by CHAD SHLOSSER
Video filmed in Kabul, Afghanistan; Islamabad, Pakistan; Los Angeles and Nashville
Video directed by LANNY CORDOLA
Edited by SHAM KAZMI
For CORDOLA and THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS, the continued support for their journey to freedom helps in keeping them motivated to move forward. "The girls and I are honored to have Blake, Joe, Timothy and Matt join us in spreading this message far and wide," CORDOLA says. "Hopefully their involvement will bring more awareness about Afghan refugees like the girls and their quest for a better life."
THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS have previously released uplifting collaborations with music icons and supporters including BRIAN WILSON, SAMMY HAGAR, TOM MORELLO (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, AUDIOSLAVE), RAMI JAFFEE (FOO FIGHTERS), KATHY VALENTINE (THE GO-GO'S) and more. Their music and mission has received global media coverage from high-profile outlets including BBC, Rolling Stone, CBS, NBC, ABC—just to name a few. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for new music and updates.
Find out more about THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS story and hear their music at: https://miraculouslovekids.org/
facebook.com/Themiraculouslovekids
Born and reared in Los Angeles, California, LANNY CORDOLA's musical journey has led him on many global explorations — from club gigs up and down the Sunset Strip to tours of North America, Mexico,
Europe and South Asia. He has shared musical communion on stage and in the studio with members of THE BEACH BOYS, GUNS N' ROSES, NANCY SINATRA, ETTA JAMES, LITTLE MILTON, VANILLA FUDGE, DONOVAN, and others.
LANNY CORDOLA began his journey through Pakistan and Afghanistan in 2010, collaborating with musicians on a peace-through-music project. "After visiting and meeting many kids who were living in poverty-stricken areas and conflict zones, I decided to raise funds on their behalf," the musician recalls. Since then, he has focused on musical projects aimed at raising awareness, resources and funds for some of the most vulnerable children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the wake of his work in these regions, he formed the non-profit 501(c)(3) THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS based on the premise that "it shouldn't hurt to be a child" and "that a kid with a melody in their heart has hope, and with hope all things are possible."
On
September 8, 2012, sisters PARWANA and KORSHID were killed by a suicide bomber in Kabul, Afghanistan. The intended target was U.S. military forces. According to the troops who were there, the sisters sacrificed their own lives to save them.
During a visit to the region in 2014, CORDOLA met with the sisters' family, including their younger sibling MURSAL, who had survived the attack. The family was living in absolute squalor, but when MURSAL saw the guitar that constantly accompanies CORDOLA, she
brightened up and asked if he would teach her to play so she could honor her sisters and other girls living in similar conditions. And with that, THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS/GIRL WITH A GUITAR was born.
In February 2016, LANNY moved to Kabul, Afghanistan, where he taught guitar, English, and other life skills to hundreds of mostly girls at THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS Studio until August 2021.
