Dedicated to the families and survivors of the Rosewood tragedy.

This is a new version of Bob McPeek's song "From Rosewood to Redemption." As Bob was faced with what would be his final health challenge, he reached out to the Black community of musicians in Gainesville, FL, many of whom recorded with him during his 40-year career as an engineer and producer at Mirror Image Studios. He asked them to adopt the song and make it their own. He spoke with Lizzie Robinson-Jenkins, the driving force behind the Real Rosewood Foundation (https://www.rosewoodflorida.com/), with the hope that the song might contribute to the effort to honor the memory of Rosewood.

Bob then spoke with guitarist Scott Free, and with Charles Steadham, the leader of Little Jake and the Soul Searchers, who referred Bob to Lanard Perry, the trumpet player in that band.

All of these players had a long history of shaping the music scene in Gainesville, and they had all worked with Bob at some point. Lanard introduced Bob to Joy Banks, and like many Gainesville musicians, she had worked with Bob on a recording, and she remembered how well he shepherded her project to completion. As the Director of the 1000 Voices Choir, she brings her deep experience of gospel music to the project.

Joy took the lead in creating the new arrangement of the song, and knowing Bob’s desire to have his song interpreted in a whole new way, she made alterations to the lyrics, the chords, and the groove. Adding the 1000 Voices gospel choir completed the transformation of the song so it could reach a new audience.

100 years have passed since the Rosewood Massacre, which ended with the burning of the town and the permanent departure of its predominantly Black residents. Bob’s song is a reminder and a call for a renewed pursuit of unity and tolerance.

The song was performed on January 7, 2023, on the Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville, as part of the week-long series of events in remembrance of the Rosewood tragedy.

The Players:

Joy Banks, Lead Vocals

1000 Voices of Florida, INC. Ensemble, Choir

David Richardson, Piano and Organ

David Ottenberg, Bass on the recording; Ron Thomas, Bass on the live performance

Lanard Perry, Trumpet

Scott Free, Guitar

Rob Rothschild, Drums

Special thanks to Nancye Henkle-McPeek, Lizzie Robinson-Jenkins, Charles Steadham, Lanard Perry, and Joy Banks for their help in manifesting this project to honor Bob McPeek's song.

The song was recorded and mixed by Rob Rothschild, except all vocals which were recorded by Michael Tubbs and Danny Clifton at Pulp Arts Studio.

Concert video recorded by Harold Nobles, David Beede, and Nancye Henkle-McPeek. Video production by Rob Rothschild.

©2023 Bob McPeek