There's no doubt that 2011 promises to be a good year for Tom Waits. While rumors of the singer working on a new stage musical with director (and long-time collaborator) Robert Wilson and playwright Martin McDonagh as well as talk of the singer beginning to write new material with wife Kathleen Brennan for a follow-up to 2006's Orphans collection had already begun to circulate and build some excitement, it was announced that the celebrated singer will finally be inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame alongside such venerable names as the Alice Cooper Band, Neil Diamond, Dr. John, Leon Russell and Darlene Love on December 15 of last year. The ceremony is to be held on March 14, 2011. With that announcement came a chorus of approval from Waits' fans of course, but a surprising number of 'Well, it's about time' themed comments from outside of the singer's immediate circle too. It may have been because of that outpouring or simply a coincidence, but it was announced today that Tom Waits plans on giving back by issuing a limited first edition chap book of his poem, “Seeds on Hard Ground” exclusively through his web site in collaboration with Anti records to raise funds for homeless services in his region and to bring attention to a growing problem in today’s hard times.
The poem is a long lyrical ballad in the voices of those who walked, fell or were pushed to the margins of society.
Both Waits and Anti Records are donating all proceeds of the poem, limited to 1,000 copies each in North America and Europe, to Redwood Food Bank, Sonoma County’s Homeless Referral Services and Family Support Center operated by Catholic Charities but, for those who may not have the means to make such a purchase, the poem will be published in its entirety on Tom’s web site today, January 13 at http://www.tomwaits.com/news/ .
Artist:
www.tomwaits.com/
www.myspace.com/tomwaits
www.facebook.com/tomwaits
www.twitter.com/TOMWAITS
Release:
Orders can be placed now for the February 15th release of "Seeds On Hard Ground" at www.tomwaits.com or www.anti.com .
