Supporting GSGC, one musician at a time

Ken Buck and his wife, Marybeth Buck, were Global Sojourns Giving Circle supporters long before Smokey Dube joined the nonprofit as its Program Director two years ago. Still, Ken and Smokey quickly bonded across the miles after they discovered a mutual love of music.

Now, the Portland, Oregon wine representative who plays guitar with his church’s worship team, and the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe based keyboardist, singer and sound engineer, have joined forces, giving Smokey’s music a more professional sound and GSGC girls an improved creative outlet in music.

“Smokey knows I’m passionate about what he’s doing with the aunties and the girls,” Ken said recently. “Singing and speaking with confidence and in public is part and parcel of what he does with them. It helps them get up and out to present themselves in a positive way.”

Originally drawn to Smokey’s African beat and hip hop style, Ken says he “invests” in his friend, gradually helping Smokey upgrade or acquire equipment—sound cards, a mic, a preamplifier, headphones, speakers, a video camera, all carried to Africa by GSGC supporters. Smokey calls the equipment ‘gold’.

“To a sound engineer, these are the basics, you need to have those things, and I didn’t,” Smokey said. “I’ve been doing music for over 13 years, so this really means a lot to me.”

Sharing their love of music has created an enduring friendship. Ken and Smokey regularly consult about mixes, tracks and other topics on social media, and catch up with spontaneous Skype calls or WhatsApp texts.

“Ken has reached out to me in so many ways,” said Smokey. “It really touched me when he sent a cd by Habib Koite, an East African musician. We share a passion for acoustic guitar, but I’d never heard Habib. I sent Ken links to Oliver Mtukudzi. Now he’s playing Oliver all the time, and I’m playing Habib all the time. That’s broadened my horizons. It’s a great partnership.”

Ken said he and some of his friends even went so far as to play the background acoustics for one of Smokey’s songs.

“We’ve never met, but we feel like we know one another,” Ken said. “Our relationship goes beyond us to educate the girls.”

Ken knows the challenges of recording music where resources are scarce. He and Marybeth, a retired teacher, participate frequently in rebuilding efforts in Haiti, where he also supports musicians. Minor equipment upgrades mean a quantum leap in sound quality, he said.

“I want to support the Giving Circle and Smokey,” Ken said. “If I can upgrade information people see—and hear—about the Giving Circle, that’s my personal way of saying I believe in what you’re doing. Both Smokey and the girls.”

Smokey said Ken stepped into his life at just the right time, positioning him to do high-quality work with Global Sojourns Giving Circle. “I was reaching to better my music and work with the girls. It wouldn’t have been possible without this equipment, and just him reaching out to me. Smokey says of Ken, “He’s a motivator, he’s a support. I see him as a mentor — and a friend. I look forward to him visiting Africa — we’ve been talking about having a jam session.”