Daniel Pearl Music Day 2004

Print Story | Email Story
Dear fellow musicians, colleagues, music lovers, and friends, I want to let you know about a very special event that I hope you all will consider participating in. In addition to being a highly regarded and talented journalist, Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was abducted and murdered in Pakistan two and a half years ago, was an avid musician. As some of you know, he was also a good friend of mine. Every year since this tragedy, the Daniel Pearl Foundation has been organizing a wonderful event in honor of Danny's birthday called Daniel Pearl Music Day. The goal of Music Day is to recognize the ideals of cross cultural understanding & respect for which Danny stood, and to promote global harmony through music - the universal language. Now in its third year, Daniel Pearl Music Day proves to be far more expansive than ever. From October 8-17, musicians the world over, both professional and amateur, will be dedicating their performances to Danny and these ideals. I am writing to invite and encourage you to participate in this year's Daniel Pearl Music Day. There are many ways in which you can do so. If you are a musician performing during this time, you can dedicate your performance(s) to Danny and the ideals for which he stood, either in a written program or from the stage. I encourage you to think outside the box. If you will be in the recording studio during that time, dedicate a session or song. If you are a venue or radio DJ, dedicate a show. The Daniel Pearl Foundation has requested that all participants register their events at www.danielpearl.org. This will help keep a running tally of the sheer numbers of like minded artists across the globe who believe that music is a more powerful force than hate based violence. If you are not a musician, you can still participate in Music Day by doing something musical, especially on Danny's birthday - October 10. Go see a concert, hang out with some friends and listen to music, bang on a pot, sing in the shower. You get the idea. Just do something, and help deliver the message to the world that hate and violence based on cultural differences is not something we will tolerate. For those of you in southwestern Massachusetts, northwest Connecticut, and the mid-Hudson Valley of New York, I hope that you will join me on Wednesday October 13 from 7-9PM and again on Friday October 15 from 10PM 'til midnight as I will be hosting a very special edition of the Off the Beat-n-Track Radio Show on WKZE 98.1FM. This will be my third Music Day edition of the show, and for the first hour, as I have done every year, I will be spinning recordings that features Danny's fiddle and mandolin playing. Because much of this music was never officially released and much of what was released is now out of print, this will be a rare opportunity to hear Danny's playing. During the second hour of the show, I will spin music by some of Danny's favorite indie bands. Danny's taste in music was very eclectic, and he had a knack for discovering great bands that most people had never heard of. It promises to be a show not to be missed, and I do hope you'll join me. And finally, perhaps the single biggest contribution you can all make to Daniel Music Day is to pass this message onto friends, family, and fans to help us spread the word. Feel free to contact me for additional information and be sure to check out the Daniel Pearl Foundation website at www.danielpearl.org for daily updates.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Man Sentenced On Multiple Rape, Indecent Assault Charges

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Wednesday, May 15 Douglas Agyeh, age 44 ofPittsfield, pleaded guilty to 23 charges. 
 
Agyeh pleaded guilty to:
  • 5 counts of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person Over 14
  • 9 counts of Rape of a Child with Force
  • 9 counts of Rape of a Child, Aggravated by Age
The Defendant was sentenced to 10 to 12 years for the charges of rape and 3 to 5 years concurrent for the charges of indecent assault and battery. The Defendant will serve his sentence in state prison.
 
According to a report, in 2021 Agyeh was employed at a residential school for youth. Over a period of several weeks Agyeh was responsible for monitoring a student's safety as they (singular) slept.  During this time, he raped the student. In a separate incident, Agyeh was also found guilty of sexually assaulting a student under the guise of helping the student fold their (singular) laundry.
 
The Defendant was originally set to stand trial on January 30, 2023 but fled to Canada in attempt to avoid justice. The Defendant was arrested as he entered Canda. The Berkshire District Attorney's Office worked closely with the United States Department of Justice and Canadian authorities to successfully extradite the Defendant back to Massachusetts. Authorities allege the Defendant was traveling to Canda in an attempt to return to Ghana, Agyeh's native country.
 
The Great Barrington Police Department served as the lead law enforcement agency in the case. The Department of Justice and Canadian law enforcement agencies assisted the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, including the State Police Detective Unit, in the extradition of the Defendant.
 
Assistant District Attorney Andrew Giarolo represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as a victim witness advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. Berkshire County Kids' Place and Violence Prevention Center played a central role in the investigation. Emily Zoltan was the Multidisciplinary Team Leader in coordinating the law enforcement response.
View Full Story

More Stories

Sports
image description

Big Second Half Lifts Hoosac Girls to Another State Title

Sports
Sports
image description

The Hunt for Red March: Hoosac Valley Girls, Boys Go for State...

Sports
Sports
image description

Kotek, Dupuis Win Individual State Titles

Sports
Sports
image description

Lee Bowlers Win State Championship

Sports
Sports
image description

McGovern Scores 1,000th as Hurricanes Advance

Sports
Sports
image description

Pittsfield's Mullen Takes Two Titles at State Alpine Meet

Sports
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?