MARTHA BUSHORE-FALLIS, MD
Original Music, Lyrics, Libretto
Martha, Pediatric Emergency Physician for 25 years, told her Mom of plans to “be a baby doctor” while a doll-carrying 5 year old in Knoxville, TN, and recalls writing music at age 7. At age 19 Martha sang in 6 European countries as member of the Univ of TN Singers. She had formal lessons in flute, piano, voice, guitar, and played harmonica with her father and organ on her own. Martha and her husband Jim are proud of their 3 Canadian families, all of whom are involved in theater and music, and 3 US families with 6 married children for a total of 12 in the next generation and an additional 12 in grands!
She had a lifelong dream to protect children and youth facing tough challenges by encouraging wise choices, thereby reducing negative consequences... regardless of past or present hardships and to write a musical. It came to life in November of 2003 when FREEDOM FOUND was born. FRANCIS “SONNY” ANNIS and DEAN FERNALD, Tampa Bay professional musicians, joined with Martha to write the musical together. Initially, a tape recorder, piano, and hand written notes on plain paper were used. And 7 years later, The World Premiere production took place on September 25 & 26, 2010 at the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida.
JIM FALLIS, MD, Toronto Pediatric Surgeon, musician, pianist, husband and friend, provided consistent encouragement.
DEAN FERNALD
Music Arrangements and Orchestration
Dean recalls playing piano at age 5 and having to sit on an unabridged dictionary to reach the keys. He astonished his parents, who both played the piano, by hearing music then playing what he heard... “he had a good ear”. Dean left at age 18 to attend the Northern Conservatory of Music in Bangor, Maine, and graduated with a major in doublebass in 1972. He played Hammond organ 1972-1975 in a rock band, The Maine Attraction, then multiple bands in Maine before moving to Tampa Bay in 1991. He plays in multiple bands right here “in paradise” and doesn’t ever plan to leave. Currently playing in Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society groups including Dixie Chaps, and dance band Pleasure, at Bilmar Beach Grill Razzie’s and Treasure Island Yacht Club, Sarasota Singles Club, and St. Pete Coliseum tea dances.
FRANCIS “SONNY” ANNIS
Music Preparation
Francis grew up in Forrest Hills, PA, 14 miles East of Pittsburgh, as the youngest of 6 children in a musical family, and his 1st instrument was a button accordion (Concertina?) at age 4. Professional career for 21 yrs playing music and conducting for Tupperware Industrial Sales Shows, taking him to most every major US city, even in Hawaii, plus Mexico City and Acapulco, Mexico, and to the Bahamas. Then with Walt Disney World Creative Entertainment Division for 18 yrs, performing in “Top of the World” Show Room. Colleagues from Disney requested permission to create a software program with the Annis music notation style. He is renowned for his beautiful pen and ink music notation. He and Dean began Freedom Found with this calligraphy style then gradually adapted the computer software to reflect Sonny’s perfectionist style. Now he plays with the most talented musicians in west central Florida.
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interviews with the Cast & Freedom Found Team
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New Board members:
Carden Johnston, MD, FAAP
Carden Johnston is an Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics at UAB School of Medicine in Birmingham, AL. as well as a past President of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Having spent the majority of his career working in and advocating for pediatric emergency medicine, he became overwhelmed with the opportunities for prevention of intentional and non-intentional injuries in children. Prevention of injury from car crashes include advocating for physical protection in the automobile as well as graduated drivers licenses that give time for an adolescent to make safety decisions on the road. He has supported parents and adolescent decision making through public television news segments, shown locally and distributed to 50 markets in the US.
Paula Pell, MD, FACEP, FAAP
BS Indiana University, Asst Clinical Professor, University of South FL, Fellow, American College of Emergency Physicians, Specialty Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics, Pinellas County EMS-C Medical Director, Past President, Southern Medical Assn and the Pinellas County Medical Assn, Charter Member, Physicians for a Violence Free Society
Paula is a mother of six children and six grandchildren. She enjoys sailing for relaxation, as well as breeding and showing horses.