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FYC

Flowers For My Friends

Steve Pullara & His Cool Beans Band

Best American Roots Performance

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Full Incoming national reviews go as follows:

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Cyndy Drue, Radio Personality of WMGK-FM Radio Philadelphia, PA, August 21, 2019:

​"Steve Pullara tackles a serious and sensitive topic of guns and school shootings in this song from a child’s perspective. The gentle soothing piano draws us into an energetic song filled with rambling slide guitar and emotive voice that stretches words out like “said” that give more punch and meaning to the message. As an expert in writing music for kids, kudos to Pullara for this thought provoking tune that can help promote a healing and safe dialogue about these issues."

 

Toni Taylor-Helser of Mixstream Radio, DJ, Oregon, July 19, 2019:

​"I don’t know about you, but as a parent and grandparent I’ve reached my limit of heartless commentary surrounding school shootings that never address what our children are having to (sadly) learn to navigate the real nightmares they face going to school each morning. That is until I listened to singer-songwriter Steve CoolBeans Pullara new single "Flowers For My Friends." Listeners, children and parents alike will feel their spirits lift while feelings are validated all while their minds and bodies will feel comforted. I'm a believer that music is therapeutic and heals. Mr Pullara is preaching to this choir yet again in this latest song.

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From the piano intro then to the vibrant ramping up of energy with slide guitar and banjo leading into lyrics that deftly weave the listeners through a sensitive social commentary with a catchy tune; "Flowers For My Friends" warmly invites listeners to have a place to rest their emotions regarding very real fears and the reality of knowing the frightening need of protection from "under the desk."

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School/church administrators and staff would be prudent in adding this song to their classrooms and libraries to make available as part of an ongoing dialogue for this upbeat positive healing message that softly addresses the fears with faith, love and hope."

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Dina Carmelengo, Special Education Teacher, Long Valley, NJ, September 10, 2019:

​"Thank you Steve Pullara and your Red Eared Sliderz for giving us "Flowers for My Friends." With great sensitivity for your adolescent audience, you have addressed this most difficult subject of gun violence,

and illustrate with your music how our children are learning to deal with the frightening aftermath.

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As a Teacher, it saddens me to have to practice being Locked Down with innocent students for what is becoming an all too possible reality in the classroom. Children should be playing with toys, not memorializing their classmates with flowers. You and the band have given us a tune that resonates long after it is played. Through your turn of the phrase you have provided Parents, Teachers, Counselors, and others with a stepping-stone toward a deeper conversation about appropriate play in a young person’s world of games."​

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Grover Silcox, PBS-39's Emmy Winning Host of "Counter Culture," Bethehem, PA, October 14, 2019:

"Steve Pullara’s “Flowers For My Friends” provides a musical means for addressing the real-life fears and worries that now even children must face and try to make sense of, even as their parents, teachers and other adults in their young lives grapple with the seemingly never-ending and worsening issue of gun violence. Quite compelling for a children’s songwriter to infuse the feeling of childhood in his music with lyrics that describe the unspeakable angst of wondering when such a nightmare will end."

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Steve Elci, TV Host, Recording Artist and  Emmy Nominated Producer of "Steve Elci and Friends"

Connecticut on July 27, 2019:

"When it comes to being out in front of the musical curve tackling tough issues, Steve Pullara leads the pack and his new single “Flowers For My Friends” offers a meaningful look at gun violence and kids.

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The track starts with kids playing on a playground accompanied by a somber sounding piano which seems fitting and perhaps expected. Then (completely not expected) the full band kicks in completely changing the dynamic with a rock ‘n’ roll feel that is upbeat and masterfully written. The music and the melody continues in your head long after the song is over. This song provides the ‘cover’ for Steve’s serious and hopeful lyrics about gun violence. These sort of songs are perhaps the hardest to write and most artists won’t even attempt them, but most artists are not Steve Pullara! “Flowers For My Friends” provides a fresh look at a major problem in America that should inspire many to open up and talk about real solutions."

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Chip Mergott  o f the “Mergott Music Minute” which is heard daily on WDVR FM (Trenton, NJ) and appears weekly in The Bucks County Herald July 17, 2019. Review excerpt:

​"It continues the tradition of excellence and originality that Steve established years ago in the field of high quality kid's music - even before he won his first GrammyⓇ!"

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