The Sounds of Sunshine

"The Sound of Sunshine" was released June 1, 2010.... 24 days after the most important, happy day of my family's life, and has come to be a daily reminder of hope, fulfilled dreams, and freedom.... The sound of children laughing, the sight of children dancing with utter abandon, and joy of a family together after 9 long years of separation.

Nine years ago, I lost custody of my infant daughter to my abusive ex. He and his wife kept her from me, and the rest of her family, for many years... claiming that they were acting in the best interest of (R)... Until one day, after years of begging the state for help, I got a call from an investigator. "We have your daughter in protective custody"... The most painful words a mother can hear were also the most relieving.

My daughter had been severely abused and neglected for years by her father and stepmother... physically and emotionally starved, locked in a room for 2 years without a bed to sleep on, a blanket to keep her warm, and no access to even a bathroom.

Through 9 long years of agonizing separation, Michael Franti & Spearhead's music lifted me up, gave me hope, taught me to believe in love, hope, and the good in people. I waited 9 years for this storm to pass me by...

"The Sound of Sunshine" came right after (R) came home to us for good, her release from a horrible nightmare, and my every dream true. She's the one I want to be with when the sun goes down.... She is my sound of sunshine. My angel is home now; happy, healing, making her own music, the sun sparkles in her bright blue eyes.
Now I watch my children dancing together each evening to "Shake It, Shake It", "The Sound of Sunshine", and my son's favorite "Soundsystem".... And next summer, our dream is to take the children to experience Michael Franti LIVE...

Thank you, for inspiring, for loving, and for believing in all of us.... You are an unmatched light in this world Michael Franti