The Names We Carried
by Frances Drost
It was December 17, 2023 when Kirstin and I publicly announced something that still felt almost impossible to say out loud:
We hoped to record a Christmas album with the London Symphony Orchestra.
The idea had lived quietly in my heart for years. I had pondered it, prayed over it, gathered information, asked questions, and tried to understand what it might require. We knew it would involve Abbey Road, London, Nashville, Phillip Keveren, a great deal of courage—and more money than either of us could provide alone.
After that concert, a gentleman who had been a faithful patron years before approached me.
“Has anyone contributed toward your project yet?” he asked.
“No,” I said, a little surprised.
“I’d like to contribute the first $100, with a promise of more to come,” he said, handing me a $100 bill.
That first $100 was more than money. It was the first visible yes. The first outward sign of an inward conviction. The first reminder that maybe this impossible thing was not ours to carry alone.
Our first $100 toward the London Symphony Orchestra project
Portraits of White Concert – December 17, 2023
Fast-forward to April 9, 2026.
Kirstin and I were standing inside Abbey Road Studio One, preparing to speak to the London Symphony Orchestra. Phillip had warned us ahead of time: we would have about 60 seconds.
Earlier, before we stepped onto the conductor’s stand, he reminded me of something I desperately needed to hear:
“Frances, these musicians are just like you. They gig. They have to supplement their LSO work with other work. They get it. They will appreciate that you’ve raised the funds to be here.”
I looked out at the musicians seated in front of us—their instruments ready, their music on the stands—and suddenly found myself overwhelmed. The BIG moment had arrived.
Kirstin saw the tears in my eyes.
“Okay,” she said decisively. “I’ll go first.”
And she did.
Kirstin Myers speaks to the London Symphony Orchestra
Abbey Road Studio One - April 9, 2026
📸 Ben Ealovega
She spoke about her father, who lived with MS almost 40 years, and how meaningful it was that part of the proceeds from this album would go to MS FitEffect in his honor.
We shared the total amount of funds raised up to that point, which was over $137,000.00.
Then we did the one thing I remember most clearly.
We unrolled a long scroll of names in front of the orchestra.
258 names.
Names of people who had given, prayed, encouraged, attended, shared, believed, and helped us reach that room.
“This is a community project,” we told them. “And we are here because of these people.”
You were there with us.
And you still are.
Our supporters, with us in Studio One
Abbey Road Studios - April 9, 2026
📸 Ben Ealovega
So as we begin looking ahead to our Nashville recording sessions, the album release, and all that comes next, this final postcard is for you.
Thank you for helping us get to Abbey Road.
Thank you for letting us carry your names into Studio One.
And thank you for being part of the story.
To see an updated list of our supporters and learn how you can be a part of this journey, please visit our support page.
How You Can Join Our Community
We only have $13,000* to raise! To join our community and support our album which, in turn, also supports our charitable partner, MS FitEffect (MSFE), click here!
*any overages will be donated to MSFE
Stay In Tune…with our Newsletter!
To follow our journey toward our release date in the fall of 2026, glimpses of behind-the-scenes moments and concert announcements, sign up for our relatively infrequent newsletter:
