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"Thanks to my mom, Virginia Jones - who taught me to tell the false from true. Also, thanks to my brother Peter, who wrote the first Lewis Bradford song, which stimulated interest in the story. Also, Elise Bryant is someone who has directed labor theater for over 20 years. She moved to Maryland, where I live, 6 years ago, and we determined to work together on some project tying in music and theater. Her father worked at the Rouge for 40 years, and when she asked me 5 years ago - where did your relative work? I did some research - and found that Lewis Bradford was also at the Rouge. It has been a wonderful collaboration. Thanks go to Dr. Sue Schurman, President of the National Labor College, who helped bring the show to the stage for the first time. Thanks also to Holly Syrrakos, Dave Elsila, who helped restore the graves of the Ford Hunger Marchers, and his wife Katie, Donna Messersmith Jones, International Association of Machinists educator Charlie Micallef and his wife Kathy, George Fulginiti-Shakar, the family of Lewis Bradford, including Ella-Kari Loftfield, Bob Loftfield, Michael Kelsay, Kate Bates, Lewis Conn, Pat and Ollie Moles. Also to Philip, Emily,Jono and Lucy Jones for their ideas. Thanks also to those who gave their time to be interviewed, including those who were there in Detroit in the 1930's - Victor Reuther, Mary Daniels, Willard Hunter, Frank Sladen Jr., and others. Thanks to Cassandra Lee and Dr Carl Schmidt of the Wayne County Medical Examiners Office. Thanks to Bill Meyer, for helping these songs come to life. Thanks to Elaine Smith for keeping us organized! Thanks to Lisa Canada for giving so much to bring this story to Detroit. Thanks to the singers who have worked hard to make this show happen." |