“The C Word” a new album of songs inspired by stories of women facing breast cancer is now available on CD, digital and streaming platforms. Released worldwide through CD Baby, a portion of the sales will benefit the YWCA Princeton’s Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC).
In the summer of 2016 Robert Maggio (Composer), Matthew Hardy (Lyricist), and Mark Roxey (Choreographer) met with 22 women who were at various stages in their fight with breast cancer to learn about the impact this terrible disease was having on all aspects of their lives. These candid interviews resulted in 19 songs that not only honor the women who shared their stories but speak to the experiences of women all over the world who face “the C word”.
“We wanted to show not only the heartache and struggle of fighting the disease but the full gamut of emotions one goes through including comedy, romance and even sexiness” said lyricist Matthew Hardy.
“The C Word” features the vocals of Broadway talents Aurelia Williams (Once On This Island, In Transit), Gina Milo (Les Miserables) and Desiree Rodriguez (Tricks the Devil Taught Me, Broadway Inspirational Voices) who performed many of these songs in the “We Vs. C” dance concert at the Robert Wood Johnson Gala Fundraiser on June 4th of 2017. The event featured choreography by Mr. Roxey that was performed by the Roxey Ballet Company and included appearances by many of the women whose stories inspired the songs and dances.
Composer Robert Maggio said, “We are blessed and grateful to all the brave women whose stories have made this album possible.”
Songs for “The C Word” were inspired by interviews with Karen Alexander, Judith Arnold, Kim Beck, Mara Carrillo, Stephanie Chorney, Shirley Colabella, Luba Dziubas, Paula Flory, Sandy Grabowski, Linda Grenis, Jodi Inverso, Maggie Jara, Rachel Katz, Lindsay Kelly-Ablahani, Soledad Madrigal, Laura Martin, Mary Ellen Panzitta, Lyn Ransom, Billie Smith, Theresa Stills, Janet Tonner and Rhonda Williams.
The C Word was mixed, mastered and includes additional instrumentation by Alfred Goodrich.
The C Word track listing:
- THE C WORD
- YOUR WORLD IS DIFFERENT
- STEP BY STEP 1
- DON’T GOOGLE
- WISE YOGINI
- TOUGH NOOGIES
- STEP BY STEP 2
- HELLO, CANCER
- THE CANCER CONFIRMED IT
- LYING HERE WITH YOU
- STAY PRAYED UP
- HEAD SHAVE RAVE
- ROCK THIS WIG
- FREE YOUR HEAD
- FIGURING IT OUT
- SEXY BRA ROOM
- WHOLE NEW LOVE STORY
- CLEANING HOUSE
- CLARITY
The YWCA Princeton’s Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) is dedicated to providing support and information to women and their families affected by breast cancer, and to increasing understanding of the disease in the community. Our mission is to provide every woman who reaches out to us with personalized programs and services that will enable her to live with, through, and beyond breast cancer. For more information please visit www.ywcaprinceton.org/programs/bcrc.
