Taxi driver releases song in tribute to fishermen lost at sea off Sussex
Money raised will go to the families of the crew from the stricken trawler the Joanna C
A taxi whose tribute video went viral, has released a song to raise money for the families of the crew of the stricken trawler, the Joanna C, which sank off the Sussex coast.
Danny Smith, from Liskeard in Cornwall, shared a selfie video of himself singing the Garth Brooks song “The River” after he heard the terrible news about the fishing disaster off Newhaven last month.
Danny posted it as a tribute, having no idea that the video would go viral.
After seeing this, Stuart Mann who runs a Falmouth based business, Evotek Marine, contacted Folk Singer Will Keating, who had taken part in a livestream tribute to the lives lost at sea on the Facebook page, Voices of the Borough, a page set up to promote song, mainly from Cornwall, to lift spirits during the pandemic.
He wondered about the possibility of recording the song and releasing it to raise money for the Fishermen’s Mission in Brixham.
Within a week, more businesses from the Marine Sector across Britain got onboard including John Clark Fishing, A Passion for Seafood, and the Cornish Crab Co.
Will then commissioned Cube Recording Studios in Cornwall who produced the backing track a couple of days later. Will and Danny met for the first time in the studio and recorded Danny’s vocal and some backing vocals. The track was then mixed and mastered ready for release.
Will explained:
“We have all been touched by the loss of life and the bravery shown by Dave the Skipper who managed to survive.
"Danny’s voice perfectly embodies those feelings, and this track will be a symbol of our continued support to the families that are going through hell at the moment.”
The single called “The River” was released last Saturday (December 5th) at 6.14pm to co-inside with the two-minute candle lighting vigil. The timing was relevant as this was the time that the Joanna C went down.
All proceeds from the downloaded single will go to the Fishermen’s Mission who provide a lifeline of welfare and support to fishermen and their families.
You can visit their online shop to download a copy of the song.