BUSHWACKERS
Noah Gibbs, Austin Smith & Ryan Castell
Mission Statement &Non-Profit Biography
Every year, about 7.6 million animals are found to be homeless nationwide, without shelter or a person to care for them. That is almost 21 thousand everyday nationwide. Fortunately, nonprofit organizations, such as the Larimer Humane Society, are here to help these animals in need. The Larimer Humane Society works with local rescues, such as All Aboard Animal Rescue, Animal House Rescue, and others to give animals the proper home that they deserve.
In an article written by the Fort Collins Coloradoan on January 3, 2018, specific Facebook posts had stated that after being stolen, their dogs had been returned with various injuries that are often a result from dogfighting. The Larimer Humane Society has partnered up with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the Facebook posts and take down the theoretical dog fighting ring. This is not the first report of dog fighting in Colorado. In fact, just two months ago 19 dogs were rescued from a dog fighting ring in Pueblo, Colorado. The Larimer Humane Society, among other Colorado organizations, helped take in the dogs and fight them a fitting home.
Although it may not seem like they play a major role in your personal life, the Larimer Humane Society is an unsung hero of life in Colorado. Without the Larimer Humane Society, there would be hundreds if not thousands of animals left to suffer in Larimer County without proper care. So next time you look for a pet, consider rescuing from the Larimer Humane Society.
The band decided to represent the Larimer Humane Society through because they feel like they are a nonprofit that is usually known of but doesn’t have much recognition. Most people know that they exist but never really see what they do or put thought into their organization. The society itself is important because there are a lot of animals out there that are less fortunate than most, and something needs to be done about it.
Band Member Biographies
Ryan Castell: The only musical experience he has was when he was put into choir in sixth grade due to schedule complications, so he is not very musically talented. Throughout the songwriting and producing process, his main focus was to write and alter the lyrics of the bands songs. Although he is not very musically talented, he says that he knew when something sounded good as part of a song. This helped him write the songs and alter them once the band produced them.
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Noah Gibbs: His musical background begins in sixth grade, where he played clarinet at Preston Middle School. In seventh grade, he began to play saxophone, and continued until the end of middle school. He has a good ear for music, what sounds good and what doesn’t, but he is in no way a songwriter. That was the most difficult part of this project: writing fitting guitar chords and finding lyrics to go with them. This class has helped him get more interested in music. He has been more committed to playing guitar, and thankfully it comes pretty easy to him. He does not know if he will continue to write or play songs, but he certainly thinks that this project was a positive experience for everyone involved.
Austin Smith: Austin has very little musical background. Very few know this but he's actually a beatboxer. He has really enjoyed this project because it really opened his eyes to the difficulty and struggles of songwriting. Austin also learned a lot about song composition and writing lyrics for a song. He is really proud of the song the band created and he is looking forward to exhibition night.
Quotes From The Band
“Songwriting is much harder than it seems” - Austin Smith
Final Song: Abandoned
Into a fog confusion
Like some sort of illusion
A life without clarity
In need of charity
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Lost, abandoned, without a home
From place to place he had to roam
On his own, trying to survive
For a better life, he strives
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Out on the street he fights for his meals
He has to beg, borrow, and steal
Just trying to get something to eat
And have a place to stay off his feet
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Lost, abandoned, without a home
From place to place he had to roam
On his own, trying to survive
For a better life, he strives
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With his paws covered in frost
All help was gone and lost
But then a person took him as their own
And gave him a warm, loving home
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Now that he has some shelter
And is out of the city center
With a family who cares
Going back out he wouldn’t dare