Backstory

It is said that for every action in the universe, there is an equal but opposite reaction…

Like a stone in a pond, the impact of the Sandy Hook tragedy sent ripples through our psyche that reverberated across the globe and sparked a national debate about our violent culture.

For melodic rock legend Jim Peterik, the senseless shooting triggered alarm bells in his mind. Walking down the street shortly after the incident, the Grammy Award-winning songwriter was stopped in his tracks by a newspaper headline that read NEWTOWN: YOU’RE NOT ALONE. Ready to burst with emotion, he realized he had to do something – anything – to relieve the angst that tormented him. He decided then and there to respond in the style that he knew best, by writing a song. Rather than evoking a somber, sorrowful response, however, the experience elicited a creative primal scream.

And that epiphany was the moment of conception for Newtown (You’re Not Alone), a tribute that is available for download on iTunes, with all proceeds going to help the victims’ familieshttps://newtown.uwwesternct.org/.  Peterik sees the surprisingly punchy number as a wake-up call for our nation’s complacent attitude toward violence.

Peterik’s career spans five decades, from his early days with the Chicago-based Ides of March, when he co-wrote the hit Vehicle, to his current affiliation with Pride of Lions, Lifeforce and Jim Peterik’s World Stage. Along the way, he helped write two of the most iconic motion picture theme songs in history, Eye of the Tiger (from Rocky III) and Burning Heart (from Rocky IV), and collaborated with Cheap Trick, .38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd, REO Speedwagon, Sammy Hagar and The Beach Boys, to name a few. Jim is also the co-author of Songwriting for Dummies and enjoys mentoring new talent in a variety of genres.

One of Jim’s protégés is Marc Scherer, a singer whose astoundingly clear and powerful, 4-octave voice was the perfect instrument to breathe passion into the concept that was taking shape in the maestro’s head. When Scherer offered some ideas of his own, the two decided to co-write the song. Scherer is also front man for Arc of Ages, who record at Peterik’s Burr Ridge studios. One day, Jim stuck his head in the door to listen to tracks the group was laying down and the rest, as they say, is history. Peterik is now writing and producing an album to showcase Scherer’s talent.

One of Marc’s friends, guitarist Joe Jammer, happened to be in town on a rare visit from England, where he spends most of his time, touring. Jammer started life as a roadie for some of the biggest rock acts of the ’60′s and 70′s, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who and Led Zeppelin. A frustrated guitar player, Joe was jamming backstage one day when Jimmy Page and Robert Plant overheard him and were so taken with his style that they invited him to join the group at their mansion in London. Aside from his role as the original guitarist for Supertramp, Jammer has contributed to over 150 albums, working with Donna Summer, Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr, Jerry Lee Lewis and Joe Cocker. Scherer suggested that they enlist Jammer as guest guitarist for Newtown (You’re Not Alone), and the team was complete.

Ironically, although Joe and Jim are both Chicagoland natives, they had never found the right project on which to join forces – until Newtown. After decades of passing each other in the night, the stars had finally aligned in a way that brought everyone together for a common cause.

Newtown (You’re Not Alone) is the creative response of three artists united by tragedy and fate. It is a clarion call to exorcise the demons from our culture and save our children. Most of all, it is proof that for every act of evil – no matter how horrific – there is an equal but opposite reaction of humanity and compassion to serve as counterbalance in the universe.

To download Newtown (You’re Not Alone), please visithttps://itunes.apple.com/us/album/newtown-youre-not-alone/id592554266.  100% of all sales will benefit the Sandy Hook School Support Fund.
Find us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/NewtownTheSong

Lyrics

Newtown (You’re Not Alone)
By Jim Peterik and Marc Scherer

Words unspoken
Hearts and promises broken
Tributes – Flowers
Vigils – Countless Hours
The loss of our innocence
Hopes and dreams
The cold voice of violence
Softly screams

Chorus
Newtown – Our Town
Could have been just ‘bout any town
Lie low – Get down
Try and cover up your head
Newtown – Blue town
26 gone – Just look around
The nation mourns as one
And like the headline read
You’re not alone
You’re not alone
You’re not alone
you’re not alone

Childhood memories
Fallen like the new leaves
Precious – Fleeting
The sound of young hearts beating
Gone in a moment – We all feel the same
Wrapping our arms around
The sorrow and pain

Chorus
Newtown – Our Town
Could have been just ‘bout any town
Lie low – Get down
Try and cover up your head
Newtown – Blue town
26 gone – Just look around
The nation mourns as one
And like the headline read
You’re not alone
You’re not alone
You’re not alone
You’re not alone