April 27 Tuscaloosa Tornado Tribute Song Captures Caring Community Spirit Following Storm

As horrible of day April 27th, 2011 was in Tuscaloosa, it brought out the best in people. That spirit is captured in a tribute we began playing 5 years ago.

We will never forget about the lives we lost and the awful sights of a city ripped apart by a massive tornado. The days following the storm is incredibly inspiring to hear and people reaching out to help others. People in the line of the storm lost everything. Immediately, people rallied to provide much needed essentials like food and water. Imagine the lost feeling for those impacted, all they had was the shirt on their back. All of sudden there was need for basics like clothing. Babies needed diapers.

The miles and miles of destruction left a path of major cleanup. All around the area, volunteers lined with chainsaws and other tools to help in the effort.

Never in my life has the role of being on the radio proved to be so vital. This was an outlet for people to just let out a cry and talk about their experience. If you think about all the telephone snapped liked twigs causing people to loose power and cable TV for weeks, radio was key in providing information and connecting those needing help with those who could.

As I look back on the day, it was really bad, but what happened after that was beautiful. Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a special place that is built by the caring people who make it what it is. I'm thankful for that.

'Better Days' by the Goo Goo Dolls fit the theme being looked for in a tribute song, recognizing hard times with encouragement to have hope and believe for tomorrow. The song provided the backdrop for various sound bites heard on the radio following the storm.

In memory of the 238 who died in Alabama, 53 of them in Tuscaloosa, 7 of which from the University of Alabama.