Moved by the generous support of legendary JOURNEY singer STEVE PERRY, who was introduced to the group when studio guru CHARLIE BOLOIS shared their collaboration with BEACH BOYS mastermind BRIAN WILSON, “LOVE AND MERCY”, with him (“I watched it and it is very sad and painful and lovely,” PERRY revealed, adding, “So sweet these girls are.”), THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS thought it was only appropriate to pay tribute to the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer with a heartfelt version of one of his most popular songs.

“When I discovered that STEVE was friends with E from EELS, a band I greatly admire, it only made sense to find a JOURNEY song,” says musician and activist LANNY CORDOLA, who founded and leads THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS. “Then out of the ether, “ONLY THE YOUNG” appeared and E thankfully agreed to add his unique and soulful voice to the sonic proceedings.”

E from EELS adds: “The Miraculous Love kids sent me an adorable video of them asking me to sing with them. The video melted my cold, icy heart into a pool of compassion and goodwill. Despite being friends with STEVE PERRY, I was not familiar with the JOURNEY song they wanted to sing with me, but I knew I wanted to sing with them. LANNY and the girls taught me the song and I got the hang of it. Miraculous, indeed. It’s a great honor and pleasure to be part of this great project.”

LANNY says the song was produced in a “70s dreamy, California way” that showcases the guitar skills of the MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS and highlights the lyrics:

Another night in any town

You can hear the thunder of their cry

Ahead of their time

They wonder why

Shadows of a golden age

A generation waits for dawn

Brave carry on

Bold and the strong

“THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS / GIRL WITH A GUITAR is deeply inspired by Martin Luther King who had a dream,” CORDOLA explains. “We also have a dream – to one day end the suffering of children (20,000 kids die each because of poverty and war), and to address this in the most creative and compassionate way possible. We also seek to be avatars of justice and joy, dignity and vision. I realize this is a lofty ambition, but each day when these kids leap into my heart, I know that without a shadow of doubt, anything is possible.”

THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS comprises over 200 kids in Afghanistan, as well as in Iraq, Pakistan, and Kurdistan, there also plans to reach out and connect with Rohingya refugee kids in Bangladesh, as well as the children of Syria and Yemen.

“To share music with girls who have only known the horrors of poverty, war, childhood marriage, acid attacks (for going to school), rape and other disheartening issues, is a privilege beyond measure,” LANNY says. “They truly have touched my soul like nothing else.”

**

“ONLY THE YOUNG”

Produced by LANNY CORDOLA and SARMAD GHAFOOR

Engineered and mixed by SARMAD GHAFOOR

E from EELS – lead vocals

THE MIRACULOUS LOVE KIDS – guitars and vocals

JOEL TAYLOR – drums

WILLIAM DAGSHER – bass

DAVID PEARLMAN – pedal steel

GARY GRIFFIN – keyboards

LANNY CORDOLA – guitar

Special thanks to NEIL WILLIAMS, DEBBIE BICKERSTAFF, TOM RITTENHOUSE, JACOB HARVEY, and SHAWN PERRY.