Art-rock band Blue October‘s front man Justin Furstenfeld has launched a new website in support of a cause near and dear to his heart. AnyManInAmerica.com is a place for fathers, mothers and children who have dealt, or are dealing with, the issues of shared parenting and child custody to find their voice and speak their mind. The goal of the site is to provide a positive and uplifting platform and support group for anyone who has dealt with the life-altering act of divorce and losing the ability to be with your child or parent on a daily basis. The way the site works is simple in that it allows anyone to upload a photo of themselves or a message they wish to send to their loved one. The site uses LiveShare to stream the photos and allows members to interact and comment as well. The site also links to other resources for anyone who has questions or needs more info dealing with this situation. Furstenfeld was moved to start this site because of his painful experience with his own ongoing divorce and struggle to remain an active part of his daughter’s life, something that has become the topic of his band’s latest release, Any Man In America.
Video | “The Feel Again (Stay)”
Any Man In America is Blue October‘s sixth studio album, and takes the listener on a cathartic journey chronicling the deeply personal events that have unfolded in lead singer/songwriter Justin Furstenfeld’s life over the last several years. USA Today states “this one’s a doozy…It’ll tear your heart out,” giving it a 3-star (out of 4) rating.
The idea for the site came to Furstenfeld after filming the video for the song “The Feel Again (Stay)”. In it, Furstenfeld sits in a chair singing the words while holding up paper messages for his daughter to read assuring her that the situation is not her fault. The overwhelming response to that video showed Furstenfeld that he was not alone. Justin Furstenfeld andBlue October have always been known for their charity work and have teamed up with the likes up Post Secret, Pick Up The Phone, 1 800-Suicide and To Write Love On Her Arms to name a few. Justin decided to team up with The American Coalition for Fathers And Children after seeing their moving documentary Guilty Until Proven Innocent and speaking with Michael McCormick, who runs the organization.
McCormick says: “With the ‘Any Man In America’ website and album, Justin Furstenfeld and Blue October have provided a very real window that highlights a major flaw in society. Family court practices, which separate over 4,000 children from a parent every day claiming ‘the best interest of the child’, are barbaric. Justin is focused on a top domestic social policy concern for children and parents. All citizens have a stake in the outcome, show your support for Shared Parenting and tell your story at www.anymaninamerica.com”
Blue October will be bringing representatives from the American Coalition for Fathers and Children on the road with them to educate fans about Family Breakdown, Divorce and Emotional Child Support during their current Any Man In America tour. Dates are listed below.
10/4/11 |George’s Majestic Lounge | Fayetteville, AR
10/6/11 | Cain’s Ballroom | Tulsa, OK
10/9/11 | House of Blues | Cleveland, OH
10/11/11 | House of Blues | Chicago, IL
10/12/11 | Royal Oak Music Theatre | Detroit, MI
10/13/11 | Tower Theater | Upper Darby, PA
10/14/11 | The Fillmore | Silver Spring, MD
10/15/11 | Webster Hall | New York, NY
10/16/11 | Water Street Music Hall |Rochester, NY
10/17/11 | House of Blues | Boston, MA
10/19/11 | The Fillmore Charlotte | Charlotte, NC
10/20/11 | Buckhead Theater | Atlanta, GA
10/21/11 | House of Blues | New Orleans, LA
The Rock Tribune 