What do five gray-haired guys from Minnesota have in common with a company of youthful singers from countries around the world?

Never underestimate the power of music. Fifteen years ago, a bunch of kids aged 9-16 who came to Minnesota from countries around the world to perform in the Songs of Hope concert took a trip to the City Pier on Harriet Island, Saint Paul. They were joining The Eddies, a group of much older, local singers with a reputation for singing popular and traditional songs of life, struggle, and hard work. It didn’t seem the two groups had much in common except a love of singing. But they were game to try a night of musical sharing.

Once together, quite by accident they stumbled on a fun way of sharing music. The Eddies sang a song for the Songs of Hope kids. Then the kids sang a song for The Eddies. Back and forth they went, trading songs, a sharing that would repeat itself every summer afterward during a special night on the Mississippi River. Two years ago, the two groups had a new idea. Why not do a concert together? Why not sings songs not only to each other but with each other for a joint audience?

In mid-July last summer, they turned their new idea into reality, presenting a concert of the kinds of songs audiences flock to The Eddies to see, mixed with global songs both old and new, serious and fun, traditional and modern, by the Songs of Hope company of youth aged 9-16 and adults from countries worldwide. Now returning in 2024 by popular demand, Round 2 of Songs of Hope with The Eddies promises to be another great show, with both unfamiliar songs and old favorites, songs you can learn and sing, songs you just might know, fun songs, thought-provoking songs, songs that will make you want to dance, and songs that will make you feel the wonder of the world.

The Eddies have been popular with local audiences for more than twenty years. Over more than thirty years, Songs of Hope has been attracting talented youth to Minnesota from numerous countries of the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Their concert in Saint Paul on July 13 promises to be a uniquen and memorable musical experience. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and join the adventure! Rain site: the adjacent First Baptist Chuch of St. Paul.