Sing a Song
2 Dallas restaurants inspire songs on new LP by Grammy-nominated act
Aloe Blacc at Bonton Farms
Two Dallas restaurants have garnered recognition in a new release by a Grammy-nominated artist: Called Stand Together. it's the latest album by Aloe Blacc, a Southern California native known for songs such as “I Need a Dollar”and “The Man” who received a Grammy nomination for his album Lift Your Spirit in 2015.
Two of the tracks on the album, which is set to drop on Friday, February 28, were inspired by Dallas charitable institutions Cafe Momentum and Bonton Farms.
The album focuses on philanthropy and is the result of a partnership with the community organization Stand Together, which works with nonprofits to address social issues. Both Bonton Farms and Cafe Momentum fit right in with the topic of the album, as they’re known for helping local underserved communities including addressing food insecurity and helping at-risk youth with an internship program.
Blacc, born Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III, has been a longtime partner of Stand Together, and visited both Café Momentum and Bonton Farms to see them in action. He was so inspired that he wrote songs about them on his newest album.
The nonprofits inspired the following two songs:
- “Grow Together,” inspired by Bonton Farms visit, reflects themes of resilience and the power of collective effort, all of which are central to their mission.
- “My World,” emphasizes empathy, compassion, and unity, aligning with Café Momentum’s values.
Cafe Momentum founder and CEO Chad Houser called the experience was "surreal."
“Seeing him take those experiences and turn them into a song—one that tells our kids, I see you, I hear you—is beyond special,” Houser says. “I had the honor of standing beside one of our Momentum Ambassadors, Kenzo Sohue, at the album release party. Before playing the song, Aloe shared its inspiration. As it played, Kenzo stood with his head down, eyes closed, grinning ear to ear, whispering, "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god" over and over. That moment will stay with me forever.”
