A handful of Saskatoon musicians are hoping their talents translate into big money for charity this holiday season.
Eleven artists teamed up with Wiegers Care for Kids, an organization that helps fundraise for local charities, to record a cover of John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over).” Their goal is to raise $5,000 for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.
“I thought it was a killer song. I thought it was perfect for what I was hoping to do. I knew the chorus could have that cheesy, glee moment,” producer and filmmaker Jesse Weiman said. “It was a great song to feature everyone, but show how powerful all the voices could be together.”
Weiman, who also works as an educational assistant at Bethlehem Catholic High School, garnered a lot of media attention this Halloween when he helped students put together a mash-up video of the “Monster Mash” and “Gangnam Style” songs.
He said the feedback he received from the Halloween video inspired him to start more community-minded projects, like the Lennon cover.
“I just want to keep doing community-based things.”
Weiman said the goal of the Lennon cover was to, first, raise money for the Children’s Hospital and, second, to showcase Saskatoon talent.
He hopes the project, referred to as Tunetown, takes off as he’s already recorded a cover of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” with another group of Saskatoon musicians.
“The song is ready to go and recorded. I want to take time with the video. I’m hoping the Christmas song does well enough that people understand this is a serious thing,” Weiman said.
He expects the “Bohemian Rhapsody” video to be ready in three months.
Fans can donate to the group's Children's Hospital campaign here.
