Music is a universal language we all understand. It needs no boundaries and limitations. Frank Ocean said, "When you're happy, you enjoy the music. When you are sad, you understand the lyrics. From centuries, music has been contributing a positive, relaxed and happy atmosphere for music lovers. Music is a powerful source of promoting peace and harmony among nations. It helps to overcome violence among youth.
There are hundreds of young musicians, songwriters, musical groups and individual singers around the world bridging the cultural differences and spreading harmony through their music and lyrics. They are dedicated and committed artists and they have common goal of bringing smiles to humanity.
One such unique and outstanding musical group is "Blended 328". The band sincerely has a global vision to start positive change in the world by breaking down racial obstructions and promoting equality, respect, and peace through country music. In July of 2011, Blended 328 quickly became a local favourite, performing sold out shows at venues like The Hard Rock, MTSU, the Bluebird Cafe and Porter. In January, Blended 328 was chosen "What's Hot for 2012" by Campus Activities Magazine and began touring the college circuit.
Blended 328 has performed for Ambassadors from over 50 countries around the globe, they have played embassies, concert halls, colleges, outdoor festivals, and back yard barbecues. The band is the voice and face of America.
Recently, Blended 328 visited Pakistan and performed in four cities including Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Muzaffarabad. Wherever they performed, they got warm welcome by music lovers. Gabe Jordan, one of the band's guitarists Said. "We were very excited to come to Pakistan, but never expected such a warm and open reception from everyone. Working alongside Pakistani musicians has been the opportunity of a lifetime".
At the concert in Islamabad, the band got praised from US Ambassador Richard Hoagland saying, "In many ways, Blended's story reflects Pakistan's story. Pakistan is a country of great diversity, of many different types of people, all united under one flag. And it is this diversity, whether cultural, ethnic or religious, that helps make Pakistan great."
The musical group consisted of three female singers and three male instrumentalists from various ethnic backgrounds. The leading singer Kimberly Phillips has spent much of her childhood involved with every feature of music. An internship at Warner Bros. directed her to Nashville, where she learned the details of music. She has the Bachelor's Degree in Music Industry from MN State University, Mankato and spending two years working in the business, she decided to pursue her true passion of singing, and a chance led her to Blended 328.
Singer Fran Hart is second female member of the group. On a sunny Florida morning, Fran Hart heard a song that changed her life. As she listened, she began to ask herself one question. Had she lived like she was dying? In that moment she made a decision that would cause her, at a young age, to leave everything and everyone she knew. It took her on an adventure from Florida to New York to Nashville where she met Gabe Jordan and helped form Blended 328. What does the future hold for Fran? Nobody knows. However, one thing is certain, she will live everyday to the fullest.
The third vocalist Dallas Brown has passion for music since her childhood. She took the stage for her kindergarten talent show at the age of five and performed Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. During her childhood days, she has dreamed of sharing music with the world. She has spent her life preparing for the eventual move to Nashville to do exactly what she's doing now. Invited to join Blended 328 in April 2013, Dallas is overjoyed to be travelling the world and doing what she loves 24 hours a day.
Seth Rooks is vocals plus a performer on a bass musical instrument in the group. From a very early age, he had ability for music. A natural born musician, Seth had mastered piano, bass and singing background by the time he was 10. He performed with the likes of Tony Terry, Patti Labelle, and a host of other first class artists. He has toured widely in the US and abroad. While working as a producer and session musician at the world famous Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee Seth met Gabe Jordan and Fran Hart. After doing several projects together, he decided to join the group.
Thomas Lee Spann is Drum and Percussion player in the group. Through school, he participated in concert and marching bands learning the fundamentals of music. His band director Mack Guice II influenced him to pursue a career in music. Thomas decided to attend Benedict College in 2004 where Dr Sean E. Daniels his new band director and percussion instructor gave him the opportunity to play in different settings- including marching band, Jazz, Pep Band, and the Wind Ensemble. After graduating Cum Laude from Benedict College, he pursued a Masters Degree at Tennessee State University in 2008.
Gabe Jordan is an east coast boy lived in Baltimore. He wrote his first song at the age of eleven, when he got a Christmas gift of Guitar. A year later, he formed his first band and begun playing neighbourhood gigs. After high school, he played in several bands up and down the east coast before deciding to move to Nashville. There he met Fran Hart and together they formed Blended 328.
The band's lead vocalist, Kimberly Phillips, believed that music provided a uniform platform for people of both countries to interact and share their struggles for a better life without being Americans or Pakistanis. "The experience has been so humbling and insightful - a complete contrast to the preconceived notions with which we came here," she said. "What the media usually portrays of Pakistan has proven wrong. 'We are all one people' is the lesson we have learnt here."