Michael Franti and Spearhead Bring Big Big Love to Patients in Colorado!

Denver, CO – Seacrest Studios at Children's Hospital Colorado recently hosted Michael Franti and Spearhead, prior to their sold out #TogethernessTour at Red Rocks.

Patients initiated the interview immediately upon his arrival. Max inquired, "What's your favorite song that you've written?" Michael responded that his inspiration comes from life experiences and emotions. He explained that sometimes his newest song becomes his favorite because it reflects his current emotional state. Then Michael turned the question to Max, asking, "What's your favorite song?" To which Max answered, "Sound of Sunshine," a song Michael later performed in the studio.

Another friend in attendance, Denali, asked Michael about his songwriting process. Michael reflected and shared that it begins with his guitar and humming. After he finds a melody that resonates, he develops the rest. Curious, Michael asked Denali if he'd ever attempted songwriting. Denali admitted to trying but not succeeding. Together, Michael and Denali crafted a song, themed around Denali's breakfast of yogurt and mashed potatoes, which was a healing experience for the young fan.

Following a brief Q&A session, Michael performed two acoustic renditions of his hit songs, "Big Big Love" and "Say Hey (I Love You)." His performances had everyone on their feet dancing, and he even invited studio friend Hadley to join him in a duet!

Alexia later asked, "What is your favorite guitar?" Michael responded with a smile, lifting the guitar he always carried. He mentioned that he plays this particular guitar daily, whether privately at home or publicly in front of ten thousand people at Red Rocks. He affectionately named his guitar 'Grandma Brown' after his grandmother. He recounted a touching and humorous story that revealed the reason behind the guitar's name. "She had an incredible way of making people laugh or smile... she'd do something that made people feel good about being around. I wanted this guitar to always be that for other people, so I named it after my Grandma Brown," he explained.

Michael wanted to convey something significant to our audience. He spoke about his middle child who, at the age of 15, was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. They spent a considerable amount of time at the Children's Hospital in San Francisco over the course of eight years. He revealed that his child received a kidney transplant two years ago. Michael expressed, "One of the reasons I'm here today is not just to perform for all of you kids but also to stand with the families, the entire support team, and the caregivers to express my gratitude for supporting families like mine. Thank you all so much. Your support means the world to us."

Michael concluded his interview with uplifting words, saying the thing he recalls most from childhood is the difficulty of staying true to oneself. There's considerable pressure from peers and society to conform. His advice? Be authentic. Everyone is unique, with their own needs and passions, and he made it clear that's perfectly fine. The world's beauty lies in our differences. Secondly, he shared some days are tougher than others, expressing that it's alright to cry, confide in a friend, a parent, or someone you trust. Sharing your struggles can make them feel lighter, and emotions tend to fade more quickly once expressed.

Lastly, Michael told our audience to remember that music is a constant companion for dancing, laughing, and singing. It's a powerful instrument for happiness and healing in our lives.