Johnny Schaefer

People love a party. We celebrate all kinds of things in many ways, though over time some of the parties start looking more and more like the others. So, people are big on themes and try to find a way to set their party apart from the others. 

 People love a party. We celebrate all kinds of things in many ways, though over time some of the parties start looking more and more like the others. So, people are big on themes and try to find a way to set their party apart from the others. 

I'm not as sure about other countries, but here in America we have a long list of things we celebrate and, if we're not thinking about it much, the reason for the party becomes an afterthought. Whether it's Independence Day where we celebrate the birth of our nation, St. Patrick's Day where we wear green and celebrate a guy many people know nothing about, or religious holidays that take on all sorts of meanings for people, the focus will shift and vary depending on who is participating. You'll hear folks lamenting that others have forgotten "the reason for the season," for example. Last month Paco was a guest on the Big Blend Podcast I co-host the first Sunday of every month and talked about how Cinco de Mayo is more of a solemn remembrance in Mexico than a party. We crave a shared experience, and so when others have a different take on things it can feel like the party has been "crashed" and its purpose diluted. Other times people seem to resent parties they aren't invited to, or that things are celebrated which they have no personal interest in. So, they actually take time out of their day to try and sabotage the party. 

As I age, I value playfulness more and more. I try to come from a place of playfulness in everything I do. From letting my hair grow out for a change and even getting a perm, to the way I approach singing and songwriting, to my relationships, I am trying to be more playful. I believe I've shared in the past that I once heard a story on NPR about an author who had interviewed a bunch of Nobel Prize winners and the common theme was that most of them came up with their big idea when they were away from work in a playful mode. There's something that happens in our brains that frees up creativity when we play. Kids learn a lot through play. That doesn't need to stop as we age. 

On June 28, 1969, a group of patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a local bar, refuge, and gathering place for LGBTQ folks in New York City, finally pushed back against bullying and oppression by local cops who frequently raided such establishments. These raids often ruined the lives of people who craved connection so much that they risked arrest and ruin. Enough was finally enough and it was time to take a stand. A riot ensued and a civil rights movement was born. Without the bravery of those individuals, I doubt Paco and I would have been legally able to marry nearly 10 years ago and thus, he wouldn't be a US citizen. 

As the movement quickly grew, sparked by that first uprising, the early anniversaries of the event were organized protests in more and more cities around the world. As many more people became involved, the notion of replacing feelings of shame, guilt, and self-loathing with pride in who we are as we were born, love for ourselves and each other, and celebration of what we bring to the world became a big part of the story. The inevitable marketers began to put their spin on things. Playfulness is always on display in wildly imaginative ways, too. Like all big celebrations, Pride is now many different things. In an effort to avoid competing with celebrations in big cities, many smaller communities began holding their festivities on other dates in June and beyond. It's just a time when come together to celebrate us. And it's wonderful.

As I came out and became comfortable with who I always was inside, I really loved spending a weekend at a festival where, for those few days, I was not in the minority. I was with thousands of other LGBTQ folks who shared the unique experiences and sensibilities inherent in being ourselves. At a Pride festival I can truly hold hands with the person I love without fear of judgment or worse (aside from the handful of religious zealots who make a point of showing up to harass us.) Everywhere I look I see people like me, for a change. It's exhilarating to be unabashedly yourself. Some people really go all out and that might be off-putting to someone seeing photos out of context, but that's ok. It's not their party! It's not for them! I used to get frustrated because news channels would go to a three hour Pride Parade and film the most salacious float for the 5 O'clock news. They ignored the hundreds of PFLAG parents marching in support of their kids. They ignored the Lutherans, Episcopalians, Metropolitan Community Church and other groups marching to show their love and inclusiveness. In the midst of the big money that has infiltrated many of the celebrations, those are the moments I cherish along with playfully dancing under a huge tent with hundreds of LGBTQ folks and supporters from all walks of life. It's just plain fun! 

It's About Love

When Prop 8 very narrowly passed in California I was devastated. I had campaigned vigorously and was incredulous that my basic right to marry the person I love was up for a vote. In response, I wrote a song called "It's About Love" and it became my first music video. George and Brad Takei even let me include their wedding photo. 

For me, it has always been about love. 

Fast forward to the Obgerfell vs. Hodges Supreme Court decision. At last, same-sex marriage was legal in all 50 states! I remember my brother Marty calling me in tears because he was so happy for us. I updated my song with a dance beat and included friends from my church choir at the time. Lisa Ulanday added marvelous, soulful vocals. It was a joyous, playful celebration! 

The senseless shooting at the pulse night club in June of 2016 tried to snuff out the joy and playfulness in Orlando during their Pride celebration. Paco put together a touching video featuring photos of the victims using my song "Love Shines On." Again, it all boils down to love. Always love.

If you've made it this far in the message, thank you. I wanted to share these thoughts as I see people debating whether we should be allowed to celebrate Pride. Ron DeSantis even took the extraordinary step of banning rainbow lights on bridges and a football player went out of his way to blast our celebration in a college commencement speech. But I believe in the power of love. 

This month's Big Blend Radio and Magazines podcast with Lisa Smith is a further take of some of these things. It's an honest discussion and it's interesting to get her perspective as a straight woman. We talk about some of the great songs that I associate with Pride, including a heartfelt song by my friend Ron Frederick called “Be Here for the Cure.” The podcast episode debuts today and you can find it on your favorite streaming outlet. 

Here are some of the best links to find it:

- Big Blend Radio: www.BigBlendRadio.com  
- Big Daily Blend Channel  https://big-daily-blend.podbean.com/
- Toast to The Arts Channel: https://toast-the-arts.podbean.com/
- Our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@bigblendradio/
- Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bigblendradiomags

The show we did last year with author Gayla Turner about her wonderful book, Don't You Dare and singer/guitarist Jill Knight about her beautiful rendition of the song I wrote for the audiobook is being replayed tonight (Sunday June 2) at 7pm on the Big Blend Women Making History Channel. 

Here's the music video Paco created from photos Gayla found in her mother's closet that revealed a love story between her grandmother and another woman in a secret LGBTQ enclave in rural Wisconsin 100 years ago. If you're looking for something to read it listen to during Pride Month, it's a great choice.

So, let's make our lives a purposeful party celebrating love in all the beautiful ways it shows up in our lives every day. I love and celebrate you! I'm proud to count you among my friends. Thank you for being here. 

You can find links to all my streaming platforms, my YouTube Channel (Have you subscribed yet?), as well as links to lyrics, how to buy my music and support my career, see all my press an podcasts, and much more at my hearjohnny.com website. 

People love a party. We celebrate all kinds of things in many ways, though over time some of the parties start looking more and more like the others. So, people are big on themes and try to find a way to set their party apart from the others. 

I'm not as sure about other countries, but here in America we have a long list of things we celebrate and, if we're not thinking about it much, the reason for the party becomes an afterthought. Whether it's Independence Day where we celebrate the birth of our nation, St. Patrick's Day where we wear green and celebrate a guy many people know nothing about, or religious holidays that take on all sorts of meanings for people, the focus will shift and vary depending on who is participating. You'll hear folks lamenting that others have forgotten "the reason for the season," for example. Last month Paco was a guest on the Big Blend Podcast I co-host the first Sunday of every month and talked about how Cinco de Mayo is more of a solemn remembrance in Mexico than a party. We crave a shared experience, and so when others have a different take on things it can feel like the party has been "crashed" and its purpose diluted. Other times people seem to resent parties they aren't invited to, or that things are celebrated which they have no personal interest in. So, they actually take time out of their day to try and sabotage the party. 

As I age, I value playfulness more and more. I try to come from a place of playfulness in everything I do. From letting my hair grow out for a change and even getting a perm, to the way I approach singing and songwriting, to my relationships, I am trying to be more playful. I believe I've shared in the past that I once heard a story on NPR about an author who had interviewed a bunch of Nobel Prize winners and the common theme was that most of them came up with their big idea when they were away from work in a playful mode. There's something that happens in our brains that frees up creativity when we play. Kids learn a lot through play. That doesn't need to stop as we age. 

On June 28, 1969, a group of patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a local bar, refuge, and gathering place for LGBTQ folks in New York City, finally pushed back against bullying and oppression by local cops who frequently raided such establishments. These raids often ruined the lives of people who craved connection so much that they risked arrest and ruin. Enough was finally enough and it was time to take a stand. A riot ensued and a civil rights movement was born. Without the bravery of those individuals, I doubt Paco and I would have been legally able to marry nearly 10 years ago and thus, he wouldn't be a US citizen. 

As the movement quickly grew, sparked by that first uprising, the early anniversaries of the event were organized protests in more and more cities around the world. As many more people became involved, the notion of replacing feelings of shame, guilt, and self-loathing with pride in who we are as we were born, love for ourselves and each other, and celebration of what we bring to the world became a big part of the story. The inevitable marketers began to put their spin on things. Playfulness is always on display in wildly imaginative ways, too. Like all big celebrations, Pride is now many different things. In an effort to avoid competing with celebrations in big cities, many smaller communities began holding their festivities on other dates in June and beyond. It's just a time when come together to celebrate us. And it's wonderful.

As I came out and became comfortable with who I always was inside, I really loved spending a weekend at a festival where, for those few days, I was not in the minority. I was with thousands of other LGBTQ folks who shared the unique experiences and sensibilities inherent in being ourselves. At a Pride festival I can truly hold hands with the person I love without fear of judgment or worse (aside from the handful of religious zealots who make a point of showing up to harass us.) Everywhere I look I see people like me, for a change. It's exhilarating to be unabashedly yourself. Some people really go all out and that might be off-putting to someone seeing photos out of context, but that's ok. It's not their party! It's not for them! I used to get frustrated because news channels would go to a three hour Pride Parade and film the most salacious float for the 5 O'clock news. They ignored the hundreds of PFLAG parents marching in support of their kids. They ignored the Lutherans, Episcopalians, Metropolitan Community Church and other groups marching to show their love and inclusiveness. In the midst of the big money that has infiltrated many of the celebrations, those are the moments I cherish along with playfully dancing under a huge tent with hundreds of LGBTQ folks and supporters from all walks of life. It's just plain fun! 

It's About Love

When Prop 8 very narrowly passed in California I was devastated. I had campaigned vigorously and was incredulous that my basic right to marry the person I love was up for a vote. In response, I wrote a song called "It's About Love" and it became my first music video. George and Brad Takei even let me include their wedding photo. 

For me, it has always been about love. 

Fast forward to the Obgerfell vs. Hodges Supreme Court decision. At last, same-sex marriage was legal in all 50 states! I remember my brother Marty calling me in tears because he was so happy for us. I updated my song with a dance beat and included friends from my church choir at the time. Lisa Ulanday added marvelous, soulful vocals. It was a joyous, playful celebration! 

The senseless shooting at the pulse night club in June of 2016 tried to snuff out the joy and playfulness in Orlando during their Pride celebration. Paco put together a touching video featuring photos of the victims using my song "Love Shines On." Again, it all boils down to love. Always love.

If you've made it this far in the message, thank you. I wanted to share these thoughts as I see people debating whether we should be allowed to celebrate Pride. Ron DeSantis even took the extraordinary step of banning rainbow lights on bridges and a football player went out of his way to blast our celebration in a college commencement speech. But I believe in the power of love. 

This month's Big Blend Radio and Magazines podcast with Lisa Smith is a further take of some of these things. It's an honest discussion and it's interesting to get her perspective as a straight woman. We talk about some of the great songs that I associate with Pride, including a heartfelt song by my friend Ron Frederick called “Be Here for the Cure.” The podcast episode debuts today and you can find it on your favorite streaming outlet. 

Here are some of the best links to find it: 

- Big Blend Radio: www.BigBlendRadio.com  
- Big Daily Blend Channel (THIS IS THE MAIN ONE TO PROMOTE) -  https://big-daily-blend.podbean.com/
- Toast to The Arts Channel: https://toast-the-arts.podbean.com/
- Our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@bigblendradio/
- Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bigblendradiomags

The show we did last year with author Gayla Turner about her wonderful book, Don't You Dare and singer/guitarist Jill Knight about her beautiful rendition of the song I wrote for the audiobook is being replayed tonight (Sunday June 2) at 7pm on the Big Blend Women Making History Channel. 

Here's the music video Paco created from photos Gayla found in her mother's closet that revealed a love story between her grandmother and another woman in a secret LGBTQ enclave in rural Wisconsin 100 years ago. If you're looking for something to read it listen to during Pride Month, it's a great choice.

So, let's make our lives a purposeful party celebrating love in all the beautiful ways it shows up in our lives every day. I love and celebrate you! I'm proud to count you among my friends. Thank you for being here. 

You can find links to all my streaming platforms, my YouTube Channel (Have you subscribed yet?), as well as links to lyrics, how to buy my music and support my career, see all my press an podcasts, and much more at my hearjohnny.com website. 

I often read reviews of musicians, films, books or plays that I love and quickly become aware that the critic is not even a fan of the genre or artist he or she is reviewing. That isn’t really helpful to me. I want to know if someone like me is likely to appreciate it. Sometimes I can figure out whether I might like it, even if it’s a bad review, by what they say. 

If you’ve followed me much, or know me, you are aware that Grammy Award winner Melissa Manchester is a huge musical force in my life. I even included a mashup of two of her songs on my Acoustic Remedy album. Whether or not you are a fan, I think you will find this review to be helpful because I can talk about why I am so enamored of her and why her new album, You Gotta Love the Life is so splendid.

Abe Sylvia’s delightful recent film Dirty Girl starring Juno Temple and featuring William H. Macy, Jeremy Dozier, Tim McGraw, Mary Steenburgen (who co-wrote a song with Melissa for the film), Mila Jovovich and Dwight Yoakam, shows a gay kid who is comforted, inspired and enriched by Melissa’s music. She is his muse and his obsession. Like many lgbt individuals my age, I was that kid. As a confused, scared,  closeted gay son of a Lutheran minister growing up in homophobic Porterville, CA in the 1970s, Melissa was my beacon of light in frightening darkness. Her songs have an empowering quality, a self-assurance that transfers to the listener. Her sonorous voice touches places in the soul that few others can.  She once told students at USC, where she teaches songwriting and singing, “We make the music that inspires lovers to make a baby or talks someone down from a ledge.” Indeed, I was on a ledge and Melissa strengthened me with the reassuring quality in her voice until I had wings to fly from the ledge instead of jumping off of it. This quality has only improved with time. Melissa continues to impart her sweet wisdom and astute insight into this journey we call life with commanding artistry and ageless style.

The good thing about the music industry today is that it is being wrested away from callous businessmen who see music purely as a product to profit from. Independent musicians like me can circumvent the big machine and share our music with the world. I understand that there is a place for youthful energy and all that comes with it in our culture. But for me, artists ranging from Melissa Manchester to Annie Lennox to Rickie Lee Jones and even Alanis Morrissette are doing some of their best work now, just when many people seem to have stopped listening. A lifetime of experiences and lessons learned, of broken and mended hearts, of songs sung, heard, and absorbed, informs their work and their voices, too. Because the industry has moved on to the next shiny thing, more and more artists are turning to crowd funding by their fans to empower them to make the music they’ve always wanted to make, free of the constraints and whims of music executives, and it’s a beautiful thing. Melissa is one of us now, independent, fierce and free. You Gotta Love the Life is a shining celebration of that.

This is Melissa’s 20^th album, and she wove some of her favorite musicians into the fabric of the project. You’ll hear a delightful duet with her muse, Dionne Warwick on Other End of the Phone, a gentle tune she wrote with the late Hal David (which turned out to be his last) featuring the jazz keyboard mastery of the late Joe Sample (his last recording, as well). A friend joked “maybe it’s not a good idea to sing with Melissa”, but, of course, the reality is that one comes away from any encounter with her, whether in person or through her music, richer, wiser, and more alive.

With artists like Melissa, I always feel like they sat down and had a cup of coffee with me to catch up on what was going on in my life, then they went out and wrote songs that spoke specifically to me. Melissa’s songs have always been woven into my journey, my soundtrack as I engage life. She took a decade or so off to raise her kids, so it’s wonderful to have a new set of songs to add to the mix. And what a set! Melissa has been touring with phenomenal musician Stephan Oberhoff and all around talent Sue Holder for years. The intimate, efficient dynamic of the performances and Oberhoff’s jazz prowess have had a refining impact on her music. Everything has jazz flavoring stirred in and the rich harmonic colors and Melissa’s soaring melodies are wonderful vehicles for the powerful lyrics she has penned with an impressive collection of outstanding songwriters. My favorite track on the album is No There There, a smart, sexy tune that, for me, is like the Sade song we’ve never really gotten. I enjoy Sade, but the songs I’ve heard are harmonically and lyrically REALLY simple. This is like a grown up Sade song with meatier vocals. “I was tricked by the horizon, I was fooled by something slick, love’s a crazy back of tricks.” The intelligent release in the repetition of the phrase “I let it go” in the chorus is healing. Such a lovely track.

Melissa rocked the house in two sold out shows at Spaghettini and Dave Koz Lounge in Beverly Hills for her album release party. Koz himself was on hand to play Claudia, a touching tribute to Melissa's sister Cluadia Cagan written by Claudia's husband, Steven Cagan.  Melissa's confident vocals and Koz's well-constructed sax solo make for a memorable song that feels timeless.

Stevie Wonder shares his unmatched harmonica skills on Your Love is Where I Live and the timelessness of his lilting licks throughout the song compliment the sweetness of its message and Melissa’s expression of it.

The first single, Feelin’ for You, is a smoldering vamp featuring Keb’ Mo’ on some smokin’ guitar licks. Melissa and Keb’ dance and play with each other, answering one another’s licks. The song is already heading up the charts and it’s no wonder. It is reminiscent of some of Bonnie Raitt’s best stuff.

The opening title track You Gotta Love the Life features kickass horns and the frenetic energy of life on the road.  Rickie Lee Jones also has a song that talks about not knowing what city she’s in when traveling as a musician. Each lady tells that story in her own uniquely satisfying way. Rickie’s is loose and playful. Melissa’s captures the sophistication, glamour and high energy I have always associated with New York. It’s a fun ride and a great way to begin the album.

In Big Light, Melissa reunites with Al Jarreau and their seamless collaboration perfectly drives home the song’s uplifting, timely message. Two big lights coming together is a brilliant beacon, indeed.

Dear to me personally is You Are My Heart, a song Melissa composed for two gay friends who were finally able to marry.  I married the love of my life, Paco, in July of 2014 and sang a song I wrote to him which said “We see the angels finally found us”. Melissa sings that “the angels fill the air with love, love, love”. I absolutely did have that feeling that day of being surrounded by angels in my family, friends and some literal angels as well. Melissa’s joyful song is a beautiful new connection to the gay community that has always returned her lovely embrace.

A song that epitomizes the fostering of a healthy self image prevalent in Melissa’s music is I Know Who I am, written for Tyler Perry’s film For Colored Girls. Melissa’s piano and vocals on this song are nothing short of stunning. She smartly begins with acoustic piano and builds instrumentation until the passionate climax. It’s a spectacular anthem for anyone looking to get their mojo back, or find it for the first time.

I am also very happy she chose to include her mesmerizing a cappella arrangement of Something Wonderful from The King and I on this collection.  In her shows, Holder and Oberhoff have been providing a magic carpet of delicious harmony on which Melissa’s thoughtful and heartfelt rendition of this classic rides, and it is such a treat to have a recording of it to listen to whenever I want to be transported to its beautiful destination.

Some of my favorite instrumentation on the album comes with Open My Heart, a happy song in 6/8 time that brilliantly utilizes accordion and terrific mandolin (I think) in a way that sounds fresh and jubilant. Where in this song she sings “Now that I know you’re the one”, in another selection she says “I’m the one, you’re the other one.” That those two sentiments can both reside on the same album is not contradictory, though. Melissa’s music has always taught us to love ourselves, which makes us capable of opening our hearts to others. We can’t do one without the other, and I think we’re in a process of learning to do both at the same time. Melissa helped me learn that.

For fans of intimate, aching Melissa, your appetite will be satisfied with The Other One, a hauntingly beautiful song of strong self-realization bourne of pain and reflection. “My tears have turned to icicles, guess they’ll forever spring, if I can just hold on, who knows what life may bring”. Those lines voice the hope I have always found in Melissa’s music. Real, tangible, transformative, reassuring hope. Lucky for us, her life is bringing a new chapter of composing, singing and sharing. And we get to receive it any time we want by playing this music.

You’ve gotta love that, and you’ve gotta get this album! (You can do so here) Find out more about Melissa Manchester at www.melissamanchester.com   Melissa’s Twitter name is @MelissaShares. Her Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/melissamanchesterartist

 Johnny Schaefer is a Los Angeles based singer-songwiter. His album, Acoustic Remedy, is available at his website www.hearjohnny.com as well as places like Amazon and iTunes,Spotify and more.

I get it. Times are tight and we need to stretch our money as far as we can. That's why people flock to Walmart even if they often express discomfort with the reasons those prices are so low. We work hard for our money. We want to get as much out of it as we can. Therein lies the rub. Musicians, artists, authors and many others work really hard, too. Yet more often than not, people don't think twice about downloading music from pirate sites, burning music off of CDs friends have purchased, and streaming from sites that don't fairly compensate artists. I've lost track of how many (usually younger) people look me in the eye and say incredulously, "I never pay for music. Why would I?"

Years ago I was on a tour with a school choir and we were at a rest stop with a row of vending machines. Someone discovered that the ice cream machine was broken and that you could just take items from it. Ice cream sandwiches, drumsticks, popsicles, all your favorites were there. I watched for about twenty minutes as some people brazenly walked up to the machine and grabbed extras for their more sheepish friends who took the contraband with a shrug, as if to say, "Well, I didn't take it. But, now that I have it it will melt if I don't eat it. It's not nice to waste food." Others shook their heads and said things like "You guys, that's not really right." People began to rationalize taking the ice cream. Some blamed the owner of the machine for poor maintenance. even though they had no way of knowing what kind of maintenance was done on the machine. Others said that they would understand if they were the owners and people took ice cream from the machine. "It's part of doing business." "One of those things". I even heard one person say that things like that are a gift from God or Karma, something like that, at the same time they were a lesson for the owner. I saw two people walk up to the machine and put money in even though they didn't need to, getting scoffed at by guilty onlookers as they paid for their treats. A couple of people were troubled by it and continued to discuss it on the bus on and off into the evening as we rode on to our next destination. The fact is, someone had to pay for that ice cream, and it wasn't those who got to eat it (with a couple of exceptions). 

I resurrect this story from memory because it speaks to the same sense of entitlement that I get from people who don't see a need to pay for music. They profess a true admiration for the artists that make music which moves them, inspires them, delights them and maybe even turns them on. But they don't see a need to compensate them. I heard on the radio recently that more and more artists are making their money off of T-Shirts, touring, synch licensing and and other souveniers than they are off of the music itself. I've heard people say that the recordings are more like promotional giveaways now to promote the other stuff. 

One thing that really hits me is when I see people fork over $5.00 for a latte at Starbucks or fail to bat an eye at paying $15 to park their car for a few hours but they wouldn't dream of paying 79 cents to download a song they supposedly love. They tell you they can't wait for the artist to release more music, but don't seem to understand that it takes time, energy, sacrifice and a whole lot of money to produce those recordings. Even with the new technologies that make it much easier to produce awesome recordings just about anywhere, it still costs a lot. Once I had a friend tell me that they loved my music so much that they made copies for all their friends. I was supposed to be excited about that. Sure, it is nice to know that people are hearing my music, But it would be nce to be paid for my efforts. Personally, I would rather have the musicians I love spend all their time getting better at music and creating more of it than having to work "day jobs" to make ends meet. When a musician I love comes out with an album or an author I like releases a book, I not only buy my copy, but I enthusiastically buy copies for people around me as a way of supporting and thanking the artist or author for their creation. I want more music from them and I want them to be rewarded just as I would tip a server in a restaurant or gladly pay my mechanic. The steady exchange of money is what keeps us all going! I also want to be part of the artist I love rising up the charts! 

A friend pointed out that there are a lot of sites on the web where music is ripped off of YouTube and offered for for free downloads as mp3s. One of my songs was in the Top Ten and had been downloaded thousands of times on such a site. Sure, I love it that people are hearing my music. But I worry about the quality when it is ripped off of YouTube and I wonder how I will be able to afford to make more music when it's so easy to get it for free, 

I'm not necessarily trying to make anyone feel guilty here. I guess I'm appealing to your sense of fairness. I do believe that when we freely give to others we are comong from a place of abundance and receive more. Comversely, when we withhold from others we are sending a message of lack and the universe replies by creating more lack. 

Try compensating the musicians, artists, authors and others who give you so much. You'll feel good about it. And by all means, if they crowd fund a project, help them out. You just might be contributing to a masterpiece. 

Johnny Schaefer is a Los Angeles based singer-songwiter. His album, Acoustic Remedy, is available at his website www.hearjohnny.com as well as places like Amazon and iTunes,Spotify and more. And, apparently, on pirate sites, too. Your choice.