Turning Tragedy into Triumph: Stockton Artists Create Hope Through Music

In the aftermath of a devastating mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in Stockton, California, local music artists DeOzene Stone and Brian Williams are stepping up to make a positive impact in their community. The incident, which left four dead, including three children, has rocked the city, but it also sparked an initiative aimed at healing through music. DeOzene, who was in Arizona when she first heard the news, wrote a“peace anthem”to give children back their voices and inspire hope in the wake of such tragedy.

The project is a collaboration between Stone and Williams, who run Traffic Records, and invites kids from across Stockton to join in the recording of the anthem. This initiative isn’t just about music; it’s about rebuilding a sense of safety and community in a town facing significant challenges. During the recording session, children got together to sing lines like,“I just want to grow up,”a poignant reminder of how precious childhood can be.

As Stone and Williams emphasize, music can be a powerful remedy in times of despair. Their efforts reflect a desire to shift focus from the violence that plagued the event to a message of unity and resilience. It also brings attention to the deeper issues within the community, showing that art can evoke change and heal hearts—even when the going gets tough.