(October 22, 2017) We’ve been covering talented soul man Brian Owens for a few years now, as he has moved from one interesting project to another, his most recent being his Johnny Cash tribute album, Soul of Cash. But nothing prepared us for the fascinating internet story of Owens and his father, Thomas Owens, that has happened over the past month.
(October 22, 2017) We’ve been covering talented soul man Brian Owens for a few years now, as he has moved from one interesting project to another, his most recent being his Johnny Cash tribute album, Soul of Cash. But nothing prepared us for the fascinating internet story of Owens and his father, Thomas Owens, that has happened over the past month.
Back in 2013, Brian and Thomas recorded a rousing version of Sam Cooke’s “A Change I Gonna Come” and posted the video on Brian’s YouTube page. The song established a minor following, impressively receiving a couple hundred thousand views. Filmed at Shock City Studios in St. Louis, Missouri, the video honored the song’s message and Cooke’s legacy, and reflected a history of love, challenge and the triumph between father and son. And it appeared that that minor moment in music history had come and gone. But it hadn't.
Beginning earlier this month, that aging black and white video was resposted on Facebook, and simply took off, receiving more than 10 million views in two weeks, as music fans finally discovered it a full four years after it was first issued. “To have a song resonate with so many people is amazing,” Brian Owens says. “But the fact that it is a song and a video that includes my father is a blessing for which there are no words.”
Like Brian, Thomas Owens is a phenomenally gifted singer, though he chose not to pursue a music industry career. Instead, after returning from service in Vietnam and converting to Christianity, he supported his family for 40 years as a food scientist with the Nestlé Ralston company while also serving as an elder and preacher in his church.
The popularity of the video has led Brian to release the song as a single, along with another song he recorded with his father, “Desperation.” And the socially conscious Brian Owens is planning to dedicate proceeds for every download from brianowenssoul.com/change4life/download to support nonprofit music and leadership initiatives in Owens’ hometown of Ferguson, Missouri and surrounding communities. These include LIFE (Leadership, Innovation, Faith and Excellence) Arts, founded and led by Owens to provide development experiences and opportunities for urban youth pursuing the arts and to mentor and develop a new generation of leaders and innovators.
So we have a treat for you: The very popular video for “A Change Is Gonna Come” and a brand new SoulTracks First Listen for the fantastic single “Desperation.” Check out both of these gems below and help us celebrate this great story of success for a father and son.