Credits Director: Kathlyn Horan Production Company: TinFish Films Cinematography: Chris Baron Kathlyn Horan To find out more please visit www.lookingoutfoundation.org/...
For a little while, I felt a little bit lovable when Willie Nelson came to sing for us in prison. I feel that again right now. I don't feel lovable sometimes, so from the bottom of my heart, I love you and thank you.
Tim when I read that you felt lovable instead of loved it made perfect sense to me. You actually defined something for me that I never understood. Through my life many people have said they loved me but after reading your words I understand why I still feel the void. A lot of my life as I get it now I don't feel lovable. I carry the weight of all I've done wrong and still feel the shame and pain for all of it. Almost 33 years clean and 62 years old I get beat up by my "other " life. Things are going pretty good for the most part for me these days but I still walk alone inside often. Anyways thanks for helping an old man get closer to the truth of who I really am.
@@oldkid7255 Yes. To all of this. Thank you and the original poster for putting the intangible into words, words that carve a path straight to the heart.
One of the biggest fears you face as an inmate is that you will be forgotten. By your friends, by your families, by society. Thank you Brandi Carlile for bringing these women in view and for using your voice and talents to highlight their voices. You sing a John Prine song, Hello In There, these inmates when they are interned and after they are released need someone to say hello in there. As you point, we could all be there, this was realized in the Gospels, what we must do now is forgive and accept. Say hello in there and help these people do not be afraid of them and never let them be forgotten.
I gave custody of my daughter to her dad, when she was 3. It took a lot to get back in that girls life. I started going into BHU, and women's jails to talk with other moms who couldn't be with their children. What i know is this: As long as you are both still on this planet, there's chance for reunification, and redemption. Children want to love their moms. We need to give them someone worthwhile to love. I'm grateful for the recovery community, who helped give my daughter back her mother. and bonus, i have a granddaughter now, whose never seen me drunk.
You should be very proud! I am an addict, too, and it has taken many years to get through my son's anger...starting at the lovely, rage-filled age of 14. It's 20 years later and I am a G-ma, too, of a 14 year old(yikes). Those scars from the rough road are my internal Tribal tattoos.
I wish I could explain to you how much comfort your words gave me tonight. As a grown child (26 soon) to my wonderfully flawed and beautiful mother who was in jail as well as an alcoholic, this just sits in a comfortable and warm place with me. Sorry for my English it's not my first language. Thank you, dearest, sweetest stranger!
Reading your words went straight to the heart. I am a mother too and sometimes I want to flee - it is so so hard some days. Your last line means that you did the work. Congratulations grandma xo
That's a big one. I'm grateful my kids and niblings get to know their papa sober, and get to reap the benefits of the recovery process that we went through as young ones. A nephew was denied candy by my dad, and was screaming "PAPA's MEAN" and I wanted to say "you haven't seen nuthin' honey."
Oh man, same. From the first time I listened to the lyrics The Story. We’ve traveled across the country for her concerts, and have been in the front row several times, including their recent taping at Austin City Limits. I average about one song before I break down. Huge snotty gulping crying. One time, she noticed me up front and actually looked concerned....I gave her a thumbs up and she smiled. I’m ok, keep playing! Mind you, I’m a 50 year old biker. I never cry. I don’t know what it is about her and her music, but it rips a huge hole in me and all the emotions come out. When I’m being an asshole, my wife will tell me “go and listen to Brandi so you’ll cry and be nice again.” 🤦♂️
Ditto Nick. I am very lucky to live in Washington State and to have my sister's family living in the Maple Valley area since the late 80's. Have followed her from the beginning.
A lot of years ago I did a minimal time in prison. It was devastating but changed my life. Still, I would have loved if someone did this for us. I got to meet a lot of women who did horrible things but were people none the less.
I'm 62 years old and I only discovered Brandi a few months ago. I also lived about 20 minutes from the correction center for forty years. I think she's amazing. You Rock Brandi!!!
Brandi doesn’t just use her amazing voice to sing, she uses it to make people do better and to make the world better. She is an incredible human being.
Bravo! I've worked as a prison arts practitioner in male, female and juvenile corrections for 24 years. I know the positive impact that Brandi is having on these women. Blessings to Brandi and the If Project for their important work with our incarcerated sisters.
People who actually cared were the only ones in prison that my heart respected. Thanks for getting in the mix and releasing a healthier dialog. Art has a way of doing that.
Thank you Brandi. You sing not only for the women in actual prison, but also for those of us in our own emotional or mental prisons. Your honesty and integrity are an inspiration.
Why in the world would anyone dislike this? I’ve liked Brandi Carlile’s music for a long time but now I love her human being as well. I’m happy to know she’s using her gifts for the benefit of others. Kudos, Brandi!
Maybe others know something that you don't? Have you heard Randi Carlile sing "Illuminati Castrati?" I'd move heaven & hell to see it in person! 😜 Almost as good as "Raise Hell," "The Eye", "Redesigning Women" & "The Joke" on all of us.
I gazed at those woman as you sang your beautiful song and thought that they are no different than I. I understand that they are in prison for having done things society didn't support. But I know that my life has been blessed by circumstances; parents etc. I'm not a religious person but the quotation "there but for the grace of God go I" seems perfect in this situation. Thank you for singing for them.
For the record my daughter is named Evangeline. I named her after my grandmother Eva Kay, but upon someone telling me to look into your music I found The Mother and every word struck my situation being a single mother and my feelings with my daughter perfectly. She’s 2 now and I still cry every time. Brandi is the most inspiring, humble, and genuine person I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing.
I’m a 68 year old married straight dude with grandkids, and I love this woman and her music. She came on to my “radar” about 10 years ago and I am so glad that rest of the world has finally recognized the incredible talent and humanity of Brandi and the twins.
We've got so much terribly wrong about our Criminal Justice System. Brandi, your humanity transcends your music. God bless you and all these women you performed for.
Had exactly the same reaction ! Having the strength to do this (especially alone with just a guitar) after a year of touring, - which is quite exhausing - is just the proof that she is really a great human being.
This is a tremendous organization. I would love to become a part of it and also do some performing for the women inmates. Does anyone know how I could apply to perform? I am supposing that the information is accessible on the foundation's website. I can check into that. thanks for starting this organization/foundation.
Believe it or not but I found out about that fantastic woman only last night on RU-vid when I came across her song "The story". I loved it so much, and couldn't believe it was 10 years ago, that I tried to know more about that artist, Brandi Carlile. Today thanks to that vifdeo I've found out that she also plays a role in associations helping people in difficulties. I'm French and she's not famous in France but thanks to RU-vid we can get to know those people, from abroad, who make a difference. Before yesterday I had never heard about Brandi Carlile but today I'm glad I do.
When she has finished singing her songs Brandi can put on her coat and leave, something that her audience cannot do. We all make mistakes in life, we all do things we regret. My hope for these women is that when the time comes that they are released they can turn the page and start a new chapter in their lives, one that has a happy ending. And thanks to Brandi Carlile for all that you do to be a point of light in the darkness.
RogerC I hope that they can too, unfortunately the system makes it very difficult for them to start over. Often they turn to substances to cope and they are back in the same place. We need to drastically improve how we help them reintegrate back into society.
RogerC Absolutely! Unfortunately we have allowed corporations to control the prisons who lobby our politicians. More prisoners = more money, society is no longer a concern. The biggest problem in the American political system is lobbying, it affects so many of its citizens in a variety of injustices.
@@jessicamoore1314 Hello again, Jessica. Well said! "For profit" prisons are an invitation to the abuse and the neglect of inmates. And if in politics $ = speech, it is not fair that the corporate lobbyists can shout while the rest of us can only whisper.
I have nothing but love for Brandi Carlile. The beauty of her music is obvious, but it's so refreshing to see a performer who is a great human being as well, and who lives her convictions by spreading love with her art. Rock on Brandi.
my wife and I have seen her live at least 6 or 7 times, if we couldn't make it we watched the live stream. every concert I have been to has been amazing, Brandi is easily one of my favorite musicians. So humble and full of grace.
Would you please, please caption? I am a deafened musician, same condition as Mandi Harvey, and worked years of my life with family reunification efforts involving incarcerated women and their children. Music changes lives for moms and kids. I wanted to follow more of this than just lipreading when you sang, Brandi. Without a transcript and captions I can’t share it with the Deaf/HH families who face everything hearing inmates face, on top of no communication access in ASL, a really tough aspect of how our justice system fails women. Thank you for being real.
Antonia Lindsey I was able to find the lyrics for you and hopefully this will help you to be able to sing along, and feel the music as those who are not hearing impared do. Music is a magnificent thing. It is a language all it's own. Music can be felt through the vibrations and by lights at concerts for the hearing impared, the blind can get music in braille, and no matter the language the melody and chorus might be in you can still feel the music in your heart as that's where music comes from. As a musician I cannot imagine what it's like to not be able to hear something I love so dearly. I don't want to imagine it. I've memorized the laughter of my wife and kids, and I can think of my grandparents voices and my father's voice and I can hear those voices though they're gone. All I have to do is think of my grandmother calling my name out and I hear her voice in my heart. I have done this so that if my hearing continues to worsen as it's very difficult to hear already, that I can still have their laughter and their voices in my heart. I cannot imagine a life without sound. I hope these lyrics help. Welcome to the end of being alone inside your mind Tethered to another and you're worried all the time You always knew the melody but you never heard it rhyme She's fair and she is quiet, Lord, she doesn't look like me She made me love the morning, she's a holiday at sea The New York streets are as busy as they always used to be But I am the mother of Evangeline The first things that she took from me were selfishness and sleep She broke a thousand heirlooms I was never meant to keep She filled my life with color, cancelled plans and trashed my car But none of that is ever who we are Outside of my windows are the mountains and the snow I hold you while you're sleeping and I wish that I could go All my rowdy friends around accomplishing their dreams But I am the mother of Evangeline They've still got their morning paper and their coffee and their time They still enjoy their evenings with the skeptics and their wine Oh but all the wonders I have seen I will see a second time From inside of the ages through your eyes You were not an accident where no one thought it through The world has stood against us, made us mean to fight for you And when we chose your name we knew that you'd fight the power, too You're nothing short of magical and beautiful to me I would never hit the big time without you So they can keep their treasure and their ties to the machine Cause I am the mother of Evangeline They can keep their treasure and their ties to the machine Cause I am the mother of Evangeline Ooooh.
"Inside a prison is one of the most freeing places you can be." What a concept. Reminds me of friends who found that prisons and refugee camps are excellent places for education programs. Freeing from distractions and false agendas. Thanks for this video, and for your life.
Lots of people lightly use the word artist, but Brandi is a true artist. it reaches past what she creates, it's a deep part of her, and we all just get to enjoy what pours out of her heart
Prison is a terrible place that kills your soul. So impressed by Brandi's commitment to them. I spent 12 years in corrections as a psychologist. They're grateful for every human kindness.
I am filled with joy and sadness all at once. I can’t begin to know what these women have been through. But I see the light that Brandi brings to them, and maybe this eases their pain a bit. Beautiful video...thanks for posting.
He's a man too! Have you heard Randi Carlile sing "Illuminati Castrati?" I'd move heaven & hell to see it in person! 😜 Almost as good as "Raise Hell," "The Eye", "Redesigning Women" & "The Joke" on all of us.
Brandi, That was amazing.. I was A Correctional Officer at David L. Moss in Tulsa Oklahoma, and im sure alot of the women would appreciate a visit, like I'm sure all women that are Incarcerated would.. Maybe it would be possible to do a ZOOM mini SHOW.. You brought tears to my eyes, your thoughtfulness, down to earthiness is genuine, its who you are.. You are Amazing, and Your Family is Beautiful 😍 ..
A couple decades ago I taught in a juvenile detention school. After all this time my heart aches. I remember so clearly, wonder how they are. Miss them.
She’s got the best heart. A genuine person, which is rare these days. Zero pretentiousness. She doesn’t seem to care if she’s ever in the “mainstream”. She sings, writes and plays simply cause she loves it, and it’s a part of her soul. There was no other path for her. She does it cause she MUST. That’s a true artist. She sang for these women because she genuinely gives a damn. Also, She lives in a log home just like me! Cool 👍
Thank you for treating these women with Dignity, they are someone's loved ones, a sister, a daughter, a mother, an Auntie, a Grandmother, but most of All God's own
Brandi Carlisle you are a wonderful person. I really am proud of your friendship with(fellow Canadian)Joni Mitchell. I've always been a fan of Joni. You have resurrected her career. Thank you for that. The company that I work for uses her song,"Circle Game". That is a favorite song of mine. Love and Prayers from the hometown of the late great Gordon Lightfoot Orillia Ontario 🇨🇦❤️🇺🇸🙏🌹
The simplicity of her lyrics resounded with these Women. It was as though they, too, were celebrating a joy - her joy that she so graciously shared with them about her Daughter, Evangeline. The raw beauty of Ms. Carlile transends across all walks of life. If, only, we could all have some of her in us - just think what a beautiful world this could be!
I have no words to express my joy and awe in watching this. Incarcerated women (and men) are human beings too and Brandi lives this with every breath she takes. New-found respect for an already amazing artist and woman.
2 seconds in and iam weeping.. so proud to say she is a homegirl...I live a mile away from bear creek studios,...awesome to know she was so close....brandi I love you and your music touches me so profoundly all you guys...the twins, the strings....I hope to see you all next time you are home...I hope all your dreams come true
This is one of the most inspirational and healing things I’ve ever seen online. I love Brandi Carlile, and I loved seeing the faces of all the women in the audience. I wanted to hear every one of their stories. What an awesome project. Thank you for sharing this. 💕🙏
Years ago I was in the same shoes as those women. I was taken to prison directly from having a cesarean delivery with my oldest son. i was a brand new mother, coming apart at the seams over not being able to be with my newborn son, while facing a 6 year sentence from bad choices I made while in active addiction. I have never felt so empty and my heart would physically hurt from the pain of being without my son. The prison system didnt offer any program for women in my situation. I had seen on TV before of a women's prison that allowed new mothers to keep and care for there child.. and I wished and begged God. I had severe post partum depression and needed therapy and meds, but even that isnt an option.Majority of people probobly haven't ever even thought about it. Sadly when folks break the law they are immediately seen and treated differently or inferior. Women in this situation need to have groups, and therapy and programs available to them that focus on building and keeping the mother/child bond/relationship. It would be ideal if women had the option and facilities to keep infant children with them even in a prison or compound. The bond between a mother and child is of upmost importance and women do not stop being mothers because they made a mistake. Brandi Carlisle is reaching those who are really in need. More artists should follow in her footsteps and bring these issues to light.
Logan, I am just a stranger on the other side of the world, but your story broke my heart. I wish I could help. Thank you for sharing. I wish you and your family peace and contentment.
I keep seeing this type of comment...how does she not get the recognition she deserves? I'd say she gets quite a lot of recognition...and rightfully so.
💙💙💙from another mother and person who has worked with traumatized incarcerated people for a very long time. That is one of my favorites of your songs, and I love a lot of them.
What an amazing woman! Beautiful inside and out! May God continue to bless Brandi, her family, friends, and those around her! You are truly a beautiful woman inside and out!! God bless!
U are a treasure Brandi. Keep what u r doing, and a special space in time is going to be there for u as once ifvthe greatest artists to have blessed this earth.
This is What A, "Role Model Looks Like!" I can't help to admire Brandi She's using her "God Given Talents" for all the right reasons, by trying to make a difference in people's lives! I have nothing but the utmost respect for Brandi! No show for the cameras. Not about me-24/7! She's true to herself & her fans alike! This Video? Is what it's all about! All people can learn so much from: Brandi Carlile! God Bless You & your family, Brandi! And God Bless all those who try to help make a change in this world, for the better! XO❤️
There is so many incarcerated woman that have been forgotten, I know because I email a few a daily & this seriously touch my heart in a big way...Thank You, Brandi, for remembering the forgotten ♥♥♥
