Every musician hopes their music will be meaningful and impactful to those who listen, but for co writers Doug Driesel, who works professionally as Doug Deforest and Flint Thompson, there is no doubt after the pair received word Shriners International will be using their song, Love to the Rescue.
“Chris Underwood gave me the idea for the title of the song. I sat down to write this song at my studio in Cherokee Village and it was just special. You know when a song is good, but then you will create a song that can live forever, and that is what this is,” Driesel said. “Flint was in Texas and I sent it to him to take a listen and he loved it.”
Driesel, who is also a member of the Spring River Shrine Club, did what all musicians do when they are excited to share their music, he sent it to a friend.
“I sent it to J.B. cloud who is dedicated to the Shriners and he said we had to change some of the lyrics or it wouldn’t fly,” Driesel said.
Driesel then called Thompson in a frenzy to see if he was still recording and to recut the vocals.
“When Doug called me, I was still at the studio and he said Shrine was interested but before a pitch could be made, they’d never accept a song that mentioned money in any way, because they don’t charge these kids they help,” Thompson said. “This is near and dear to me because I had a sick child. Now at the time, we didn’t know Shriners was available but it would have made a world of difference and I want to give back to those who give back. So I recut the vocals and away we went.”
Driesel said the timing of the song could not be more perfect as Alec Cabacugan, the child spokesperson and lifelong recipient of care through Shriners International is aging out of traditional care.
“This is not a bad thing, in fact, because of him and others like him, Shrine International is expanding care to kids they’ve helped who are aging out of the original plan,” Drisel said. “So Alex and others like him, will still get the help they need.”
Thompson said up and to this point, the theme song for Shrine International has been “I Wanna Know What Love Is”.
“So, Foreigner donated this song and any proceeds it would ever make to Shrine and it became their theme song for all of these years,” Thompson said. “When Doug and I were talking about this, we have decided to donate this song to Shrine just like Foreigner did.”
The powerful lyrics and welcoming melody, accompanied with the strong southern sound of Flint Thompson, embodies the message of Shrine.
Driesel said the song had been adopted “indefinitely” by Shrine and steps to implement it have already taken place.
Shriners International will be using their song for a special program called women impacting care.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
