Tami Neilson has just released her first Christmas song. A Cover of Willie Nelson's 'Pretty Paper', all proceeds will go to the Auckland City Mission.
Last year, Tami was invited by Canadian radio station Sirius XM to perform a Christmas song with her brother Jay. She immediately chose ‘Pretty Paper’ by Willie Nelson: “It’s a powerfully understated song of empathy and compassion penned by one of my musical heroes,” Tami says.
She's encouraging fans to donate to Auckland City Mission this Christmas.
- Click here to stream or purchase 'Pretty Paper' (all proceeds to the City Mission)
- Click here to donate to Auckland City Mission
The track is sung from the perspective of a person who’s homeless “It has always transcended the usual Christmas fare of snow, sleighbells and Santa Claus, instead, being a voice for the voiceless … It has always pierced my heart.
“Growing up on the road with my family band … we were homeless numerous times, sleeping on couches or mattresses on people's floors, eating from food banks.”
Tami remembers “that powerless feeling of loss of dignity” and, despite always having a roof over her head due to the kindness of friends, family, and sometimes strangers, she has always had a deep empathy for those who don’t have a place to call home.
“This Christmas is going to be hard enough on those of us privileged enough to have a home, so many of us are struggling with loss of jobs and income, let alone those who are powerless and have to rely on the kindness of strangers to assist them through this holiday season.
“At a time when many of us celebrate the birth of a baby who was the personification of love, acceptance and compassion, this song embodies those reminders that we need to extend those same things to each other.”
Tami is donating her Bandcamp sales of the song to Auckland City Mission whose work she admires. The Mission has been supporting Aucklanders for 100 years, from families living in poverty by WWI and the Spanish Flu through to today where the organisation focuses on supporting people in three key areas of homelessness, hunger and health.
"It's absolutely wonderful to have a Christmas song dedicated to the Mission,” City Missioner Chris Farrelly says, “Christmas is our busiest time of year, bringing the festive season to Aucklanders in desperate need.
“Having this support from Tami will help us provide food parcels and presents to families when they really need it the most. As the city faces one of the hardest Christmases in 100 years, the Mission is so grateful for Tami's gift."
Listen to 'Pretty Paper' on Spotify / Apple Music / Youtube
