Chart hopes for Black Country anthem
It's a moving song which was re-worked by gigging musicians to stir the soul of thousands around the Black Country and the world.
And now this patriotic ode is soaring up the charts as people get behind a band to celebrate all that is bostin' about the Black Country.
Folk band The Empty Can say they have been left stunned for the support for their single I Vow to Thee, Black Country.
It has been named the official song for Black Country Day on July 14 and bandmates hope the song has proved a popular anthem for the occasion.
Thousands have already download the song which reached number 32 in the UK official independent singles chart recently.
The group have now had the song pressed into a CD single ready to hit shelves in time for the big day itself.
Proceeds from the single are going to Compton Hospice in dedication to Steve Evans, a former Wolverhampton City Council worker and comedian, who died in January, aged just 52, following a two-year battle with stomach cancer.
Lead singer James Stevens, aged 37, thanked everyone who had made their dream of releasing the track possible.
"It feels like a whirlwind and it has taken some keeping up with over the recent weeks," said James from Gornal.
"This is shaping up to be the best summer ever and we can't thank people enough."
The single now features a 'B' side called 'The Place In Which I Roar' which was inspired by the growing support for Black Country Day and people's feeling towards home.
Professional musician and youth worker James is joined in The Empty Can by Rachel Slater, 36, who is a nurse from Gornal, and 40-year-old guitarist and producer Steven Henley, from Kingswinford, who works for a local family business.
Visit www.facebook.com/jamesstevens.emptycan for details and upcoming gigs. The song can be bought from the Black Country Living Museum and Cradley Heath based business Teet Shirts.
