(Minghui.org)

“This persecution can’t go onInnocent lives have been lostThese beautiful people they’ve suffered so longTortured for practicing Falun GongIt’s time for the world, it’s time for the world to stand up

Come now my friendThe time has come to walk into the sunLet’s be the voice, let’s be the voice of the future”

The title song “Be the Voice” by Belle expresses the mission of Truth On Tour: Artists Against the Persecution of Falun Gong, and the inspiration behind the artists involved. Coming from different genres, styles and backgrounds, they share a common goal: use their music for a higher purpose, and be the voice for Falun Gong practitioners persecuted in China.

The album Truth On Tour [Volume 1] represents this mission, and is scheduled for release July 15.

The idea to speak out for persecuted practitioners is shared among the artists, and for executive director of Truth On Tour Jim Fogarty, it formed over five years ago, in 2008.

Fogarty was involved with the 2008 Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR), a torch bearing that mirrored the Olympic torch run to Beijing, but focused instead on human rights atrocities in China.

When he found out the torch would be traveling through Denver, Colorado, he had the idea of putting together a concert. The generosity of Colorado musicians in contributing their time and talent had a profound effect. “They didn’t even know me, but were happy to contribute their time and talent to raise awareness of human rights atrocities in China, and asked nothing in return. I was deeply moved by the selflessness of it, and thought ‘That’s what it’s all about’.

“I saw what could happen when musicians come together for a worthy cause. I knew after that day that I wanted to use my music to end this persecution, and share with people through my songs who I am as a [Falun Gong] practitioner,” says Fogarty. Inspired by this, he wrote the song A Heart Divine, and performed alongside HRTR artists under the name Leadville Jim.

Afterwards, Fogarty attempted to bring other Falun Gong practitioner artists together in 2010. “There were talented musicians individually writing and performing songs to bring attention to the persecution, but most were busy with other commitments as well,” he said. “The music was like a sidebar. I don’t think we quite understood its role, or how to do it together. It wasn’t there yet, or the timing wasn’t right. But the environment has changed.”

Several years went by before Jim came across Truth On Tour, a collective of like-minded artists concerned about the persecution who were putting together a compilation album. Fogarty joined and contributed his song A Heart Divine.

The musicians of Truth On Tour then performed their first concert in Long Beach, California, last October. In the afterglow of that concert, things shifted.

“That was a great experience, and we came away from it understanding the important role Truth On Tour and our music could play, and what we could achieve together. We experienced it firsthand,” Fogarty said, adding they also received encouragement from other Falun Gong practitioners.

Lifted by the experience, he saw changes occur within the project. The group reached consensus on its main purpose and embraced it upfront in the tag line: Artists against the Persecution of Falun Gong.

The experience also prompted Truth On Tour to register in California as a non-profit organization, and serve its mission of raising awareness of the persecution with more focus and dedication. During this formation, Fogarty became the executive director.

In doing all this, the contributing artists are no longer working alone. They have formed a strong voice and invite others to join the voice until the persecution is over. For Fogarty, he is happy to find harmony between his passion for music and commitment to spiritual practice.

A Life of Music

As a guitarist, Fogarty spent his adult life as a songwriter/musician, chasing the dream of making it big. “Everything in my life revolved around it. I had a very selfish view of life, and would even tell people they were dispensable, secondary to my musical pursuits. But there was a spiritual side to playing music. When playing music, I would go to this place inside, where it was calm and quiet. It was like meditation; a sanctuary.”

Everything changed on April 1, 2002, when he discovered the Falun Gong website and immediately downloaded all the materials, available for free. “I printed out Zhuan Falun and put it in a big three-ring binder. I traveled with it. I could not put it down, and I felt excitement and peace at the same time. I experienced a similar feeling I had when playing, just much deeper. This was it. This was what I was looking for.”

Jim Fogarty performed in Long Beach last October.

Shortly after he began the practice, Fogarty learned of the persecution, which victimizes about 100 million Chinese tortured for a single purpose: force them to abandon their belief of Falun Gong.

“I was shocked. I had met people from mainland China who practiced and despite the cultural differences, there was a connection,” he said. “They were like me, trying to walk a path in life and be a good person. They didn’t want anything from anyone, just the freedom to follow their heart. This persecution makes no sense. It’s cruel.”

This was when Fogarty decided to use his music as the voice to speak for those silenced in the persecution. He's happy to have found others who identify themselves with the same cause, and looks forward to Truth on Tour becoming a strong creative force for those who don't have a voice.