Wish I Was (left) and Kara Kuper Credit: Tyson Illingworth
When electronic music producer Wish I Was (aka LA-based Tyson Illingworth) wanted to collaborate on “Ready To Start,” a new song that’s featured in a Make-A-Wish PSA that just came out today, he sought out Cleveland-based Kara Kuper and flew her to an L.A. recording studio donated by Universal Music. The PSA created for World Wish Day aims to showcase the life-changing benefits a wish can provide to children with critical illnesses, and World Wish Day helps bring attention to the significant role a wish plays in a child’s medical treatment.

The PSA typically stars Make-A-Wish kids and alumni whose wishes serve as a catalyst for hope and healing.

“Words truly can’t describe just how incredible it feels to have granted this wish for Kara,” says Illingworth in a press release about the song’s release. “I’ve always known about Make-A-Wish and the incredible work they do, but never in my life did I think I’d be able to offer anything of worth for them, let alone granting a wish! So when I first heard that Kara’s wish was to record in a professional studio I thought, ‘Wow, I can actually make that happen; how cool is that!” The feeling was so awesome that it made me nervous.”

He describes “Ready To Start” as a song about hope, bravery and “thinking about all the amazing things you want to do when you grow up.”

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This article appears in Apr 3-9, 2019.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.