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When song producer Stuart Epps heard Radio Drive’s “Humanity” on Music Xray, he contacted Radio Drive’s songwriter Kevin Gullickson to express his interest in producing a mix of the song. Having worked with George Harrison, Jimmy Page and Elton John, Epps knew what great music sounded like.
But it wasn’t just the music that caught Epps’ attention. It was the message that brought out the best in the song, reminding Epps of the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love.”
Epps said “Humanity” harks back to the rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s when songwriters were preaching love and unity. Epps said Radio Drive’s single has the message that today’s generation of music singers and lovers need to hear.
“It’s still an incredibly relevant message that transcends religion and it transcends lots of things,” Epps said.
“If there’s a song about hate and death and killing people, then we have to fight back with this song ‘all you need is love and humanity.’ … And that’s the musical message that will always win.”
Gullickson said his vision for the song is “to bring down the walls of division and bring unity among people socially, racially, and politically.”
“Yes we can have our differences but we can still be a family,” he said. “I’d like to see this song bring healing … to the parts of the nation where it’s really hurting right now.”
The theme of “Humanity” appeals to all people to honor and allow differences to become the strengths that bind people. It calls for listeners to see the world not as separate nations, but as “one family.”
“If everyone took it to heart, the whole nature of newspapers would change, we wouldn’t be reading the kind of stories we do in the press,” Gullickson said.
Gullickson formed his musical style after the classic rock legends of his generation, such as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones, blending with the contemporary sounds of U2 and Coldplay. Beginning his career from his home in St. Paul, Minnesota, he records his own instruments including voice, guitar, keyboard and drums.
Gullickson has received several awards and nominations for his music, including the Hollywood in Music Media Awards for “A Taste of Heaven” and “Never.” His music has been featured on TV shows airing on Animal Planet and Discovery Channel.
Epps said he expects to see Gullickson’s “Humanity” to hit number one on radio stations.
“It’s nice to have a refreshing message like the one [Gullickson is] singing about here. I could not do anything else but love working on a record like that.”
Gullickson said he sees the Millennials’ generation wanting the message in this song, asking themselves “Where is this country going?” and finding the answer in “Humanity.”
“It’s a universal message,” Gullickson said. “A timeless message that transcends political, racial, social, and economic stature.”
For more on Radio Drive and Gullickson, visit online at radio-drive.com.
Written exclusivly for the IMC Magazine
by Hannah Jean
"Radio Drive Releases Single With Timely Message"