Playing for Change

In 2004, producer/engineers Mark Johnson and Enzo Buono launched the multimedia project Playing for Change. Intent on dismantling musical and social divides while advancing a vision of global peace, the pair circled the planet to capture street musicians interpreting the same repertoire, planning to assemble the performances into layered composites. The effort's initial single—a version of Ben E. King's classic "Stand by Me" anchored by Santa Monica street performer Roger Ridley—quickly went viral on YouTube. Playing for Change has since sustained a steady output of recordings and videos that draw together performers from widely varying traditions. Participants have ranged from lesser-known figures such as New Orleans musician Grandpa Elliot Small to established artists including guitarist Keb' Mo' and U2's Bono. Johnson established the nonprofit Playing for Change Foundation in 2007 to support the musicians and communities that had contributed. The following year he founded the commercial Timeless Media Group and entered a partnership with the Concord Music Group to secure funding and visibility for the work. In 2009 the project issued the CD/DVD Playing for Change: Songs Around the World. A second volume appeared in 2010 along with the concert album Playing for Change Live. The 2014 release PFC 3: Songs Around the World incorporated contributions from Keith Richards, Sara Bareilles, Keb' Mo', and further artists, drawing on a total of 180 musicians spanning 31 countries.