Playing For Change

Natural Mystic/Just a Little Bit

Photography By: Sandra Selva

From PFC co-founder and producer Mark Johnson: The original idea for this Bob Marley Song Around The World was born back in 2013 when the PFC crew first visited the Congo. Mark asked himself, “How can we live in a world that allows people to live like this, with virtually no food, no money, and no hope?”

The lyric, “Things are not the way they used to be… one and all got to face reality” came to mind as he looked out into the river of garbage running through the city.

“Natural Mystic always felt so deep in its groove and lyrics and it seemed as important and urgent as what I was seeing all around me,” says Mark.

We need to rise up and make the planet a better place right now for ourselves, our children, and all living things. ‘Just a Little Bit’ written and performed by Paula Fuga was added as a medley to ‘Natural Mystic’ to take the music from minor key to the major key—from the darkness to the light.

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About Playing For Change

Playing For Change was born in 2002 as a shared vision between co-founders, Mark Johnson and Whitney Kroenke, to hit the streets of America with a mobile recording studio and cameras in search of inspiration and the heartbeat of the people. This musical journey resulted in the award-winning documentary, “A Cinematic Discovery of Street Musicians.”

In 2005, Mark Johnson was walking in Santa Monica, California, when he heard the voice of Roger Ridley singing “Stand By Me.” Roger had so much soul and conviction in his voice, and Mark approached him about performing “Stand By Me” as a Song Around the World. Roger agreed, and when Mark returned with recording equipment and cameras he asked Roger, “With a voice like yours, why are you singing on the streets?” Roger replied, “Man I’m in the Joy business, I come out to be with the people.” Ever since that day the Playing For Change crew has traveled the world recording and filming musicians, creating Songs Around the World, and building a global family.

Official Website: PlayingForChange.com