(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – New York State Assemblyman Pat Burke, the Sportsmen’s Americana Music Foundation and members of Western New York’s Labor and Arts Communities have announced the launch of 9 to 5: Songs for Working People of Buffalo, an original song contest that will bring together Western New York Musicians to create a new album celebrating Organized Labor and the experiences of Working People.

Joining Assemblyman Burke at a recently-held news conference were: Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Grace Bogdanove; Richard Lipsitz, President Emeritus of the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation; Cathy Creighton, who serves as Director of Cornell University Industrial and Labor Relations’ (ILR) Buffalo Co-Lab; and Lou Jean Fleron, the former Director of Cornell University ILR Buffalo Co-Lab.

Also speaking at the press event was Robert McLennan (Pictured Above/Photo Courtesy of McLennan’s Facebook Page), who has served as a Labor Representative of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 3 and Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153 and is currently involved with the Buffalo Music Coalition.

Musicians and songwriters from across Western New York are being invited to submit original songs inspired by work, Workers, Unions, economic dignity, solidarity and the role Working People have played in shaping Buffalo and Western New York.  

The music can come from any genre - Rock ‘n Roll, folk, Jazz, Blues, Rap, Hip-Hop, Punk, Rhythm And Blues, Country, Americana, Bluegrass, New Orleans, Honky-Tonk, Celtic, Pop, Soul, Polka, Surf Music, Western Swing or World Music. 

“This is a ‘Labor Town’ and I think the story of Working People in Buffalo deserves its own soundtrack,” Burke said. “Some of the most powerful music ever written has come from people telling the truth about what it means to work for a living - the pride that comes with it, the struggle, the unfairness, the friendships, the humor and the fight for something better. We want to hear what that sounds like in Buffalo today.”

The album’s title pays homage to the late Dolly Parton and her iconic Working-Class anthem 9 to 5. While the song might have first appeared in the movie of the same name, it has become a well-known song about the difficulties of working life - but it stands out partly because not enough Artists and Musicians use their platform to comment on what is so central to everyone’s quality of life or lack thereof.

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: New project celebrates working people and Buffalo's Labor movement –