Charity Song of the Month:

“Weight” was the catalyst that gave Ottawa roots musician Larry Pegg the will to record another album after the crippling loss of his daughter to suicide in 2007. The song was written, literally between tears in his hotel room, while attending the 2012 Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention's National Conference.  That same day, Pegg submitted it into CBC’s Lynn Miles songwriting contest where it made top 5. Later, Miles agreed to sing backup on the final version for his new album, Before And Afterlife: The Theory of Positivity. Pegg is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from downloads of “Weight” — and 50 percent of the full album download proceeds — to D.I.F.D., started in memory of 14-year-old Daron Richardson, who took her own life. The youth-driven initiative is focused on raising awareness and inspiring conversations about youth mental health. — K.B. 

“Weight” was the catalyst that gave Ottawa roots musician Larry Pegg the will to record another album after the crippling loss of his daughter to suicide in 2007. The song was written, literally between tears in his hotel room, while attending the 2012 Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention's National Conference.  That same day, Pegg submitted it into CBC’s Lynn Miles songwriting contest where it made top 5. Later, Miles agreed to sing backup on the final version for his new album, Before And Afterlife: The Theory of Positivity. Pegg is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from downloads of “Weight” — and 50 percent of the full album download proceeds — to D.I.F.D., started in memory of 14-year-old Daron Richardson, who took her own life. The youth-driven initiative is focused on raising awareness and inspiring conversations about youth mental health. — K.B. 

Marc Martel, the former singer for Canadian rock band Downhere who landed on Ellen after his Queen Extravaganza audition tape went viral (he got the gig, btw) co-wrote “No More Hurting People” with Mark Heimermann in honour of the victims and survivors of the Boston bombings April 15. The title, of course, are those beautiful words 8-year-old Martin Richard — who was killed in the attack — had written on a poster-board sign last year after the murder of Trayvon Martin.  The song, released under the name Vapor Feat. Marc Martel,  is free to download with a “pay what you can” option to donate towards the One Fund Boston set up for those most affected by the bombings.  “This anthem's purpose is to counter the effects of evil and hatred,” it reads on the website. Download and donate here. — K.B.

Marc Martel, the former singer for Canadian rock band Downhere who landed on Ellen after his Queen Extravaganza audition tape went viral (he got the gig, btw) co-wrote “No More Hurting People” with Mark Heimermann in honour of the victims and survivors of the Boston bombings April 15. The title, of course, are those beautiful words 8-year-old Martin Richard — who was killed in the attack — had written on a poster-board sign last year after the murder of Trayvon Martin.  The song, released under the name Vapor Feat. Marc Martel,  is free to download with a “pay what you can” option to donate towards the One Fund Boston set up for those most affected by the bombings.  “This anthem's purpose is to counter the effects of evil and hatred,” it reads on the website. Download and donate here. — K.B.