Help wanted to carry a tune by the river

Anybody who has harbored a fantasy of singing for a recording that will go out on national airwaves now has a chance, at least for one evening.

Members of the public can sing backup on a song by musician Kevin Danzig that is being recorded at 7 p.m. Monday at IBS Studios in Cape Girardeau.

Danzig, a singer-songwriter from California who has performed at local house concerts, is re-recording his song "The Great Mississippi" that was featured on his 1999 album "Free the Poet."

The re-recorded song, incorporating a few twists in the lyrics to characterize Cape Girardeau, will be used in advertisements for Liberty Fest 2004 -- the city's Fourth of July celebration. Danzig will appear at Liberty Fest to sing the song, among others, during a live performance.

Anyone who takes part in this recording can also get on stage and sing the song with Danzig live at Liberty Fest.

The ending of the song contains the chorus from "Old Man River." This is where the public participation comes in.

Anyone, regardless of if they can sing or not, can sign up and be part of the group singing the chorus.

"There are absolutely no requirements," said Jean Underberg, who regularly organizes house concerts in Cape Girardeau with her husband, Larry. "If people want to be involved in this, it doesn't matter that they can't sing."

According to Larry Underberg, 25 people are already signed up to participate, but people are still welcome to join.

Those interested should contract Larry Underberg at 334-7692.