Hope Beyond Borders
Tour Questions & Answers
What is the Hope Beyond Borders tour?
Hope Beyond Borders is a concert experience that blends music, storytelling, and community recognition. Through original songs and personal reflections, singer-songwriter Jerry Leggett celebrates the everyday Peace Heroes who help make the world less violent and more just.
What makes this concert different from a typical music performance?
Each gathering includes a moment to recognize a local Peace Hero—someone from the host community whose actions reflect compassion, justice, and reconciliation. Their story becomes part of the evening’s shared experience.
What is a Peace Hero?
A Peace Hero is an everyday person who accepts risk and succeeds in helping make the world less violent and more just. These individuals may be teachers, community leaders, artists, caregivers, advocates, or neighbors who quietly serve others.
How are Peace Heroes selected?
Host communities are invited to nominate individuals whose lives reflect the ideals of Peace Heroism. Guidance for selecting Peace Heroes is available through the Storytrail Garden project.
What happens when a Peace Hero is honored?
During the concert, Jerry shares the Peace Hero’s story and presents a Peace Hero certificate. Their initials are also placed on a commemorative stone along the Heart Trail in Storytrail Garden, creating a growing trail that honors Peace Heroes from communities across the region.
What is Storytrail Garden?
Storytrail Garden is a sculpture garden in Tubac, Arizona dedicated to lifting up stories of peace and justice. The garden honors individuals whose lives reflect the ideals of Peace Heroism and invites visitors to reflect on the courage of everyday people.
How long is the concert?
Most programs run 75–90 minutes, though the format can be adapted depending on the venue.
What kind of music does Jerry perform?
Jerry’s music blends elements of folk, rock, and jazz, combined with storytelling and audience reflection. His songs explore themes of courage, compassion, belonging, and the shared human journey.
Who is Jerry Leggett?
Jerry Leggett is a singer-songwriter and peace advocate whose five decades of touring have taken him to all fifty U.S. states. He is a founder of the Storytrail Foundation and creator of the Storytrail Garden project honoring Peace Heroes.
Who typically hosts Hope Beyond Borders concerts?
The program is well suited for:
• community organizations
• congregations and spiritual communities
• universities
• arts centers
• peace and justice groups
• house concerts
• festivals
How does a community host a concert?
Hosting typically involves providing a venue, helping promote the event locally, and supporting the tour with a suggested honorarium and travel assistance.
What is the message of Hope Beyond Borders?
Hope Beyond Borders celebrates the idea that hope lives in people—in the courage, compassion, and everyday actions of those who work to build a more peaceful world.
What question guides the evening?
Every gathering begins with a simple question:
Who is your Peace Hero?
Presenter Q & A
(Questions venues often ask before booking)
What is the Hope Beyond Borders program?
Hope Beyond Borders is a 75–90 minute evening of music and storytelling celebrating the courage and compassion of everyday Peace Heroes—people whose actions help make the world less violent and more just.
Each event may also include recognition of a local Peace Hero from the host community.
What makes this program unique?
The program blends music, storytelling, and community recognition. Hosts may nominate a local Peace Hero whose story is briefly shared during the event, making each gathering unique to that community.
How long is the program?
Typically 75–90 minutes, though shorter formats can be arranged if needed.
What kind of venues work best?
Hope Beyond Borders works well in many settings:
• community centers
• churches and spiritual communities
• arts venues
• universities
• libraries
• house concerts
• outdoor gatherings
What technical needs are required?
For smaller gatherings (under ~125 people), Jerry can provide a simple portable sound system.
For larger venues, a basic professional sound system is appreciated.
Setup time is usually about 45–60 minutes.
How much space is needed?
A small stage or performance area with a chair or stool and microphone is usually sufficient.
What are the hosting costs?
Suggested host support:
• $500 performance honorarium
• Travel support (mileage or modest travel stipend)
• Simple lodging if overnight stay is required
Communities often offset costs through ticket sales, donations, or local sponsorship.
No community will be turned away for lack of funds.
Can we sell tickets?
Yes. Many hosts choose to sell tickets or invite donations to support the event and the tour.
How is a local Peace Hero selected?
Hosts may nominate individuals whose lives reflect the ideals of Peace Heroism. Guidance for selecting Peace Heroes is available through the Storytrail Garden project.
What happens when a Peace Hero is honored?
During the concert, Jerry shares the honoree’s story and presents a Peace Hero certificate. A commemorative stone bearing their initials is later placed along the Heart Trail in Storytrail Garden.
Media Interview Q & A
(Questions reporters often ask)
What inspired the Hope Beyond Borders tour?
For many years I’ve been interested in the people whose everyday actions help make the world less violent and more just. The tour celebrates those individuals—what we call Peace Heroes—through music and storytelling.
What is a Peace Hero?
A Peace Hero is an ordinary person who accepts risk and succeeds in making the world less violent and more just. These are often people whose stories might otherwise go unnoticed.
How did the Peace Hero idea begin?
While serving as Director of the International Peace Museum in Dayton, Ohio, I suggested that the true artifacts of peace are not objects but people. That idea eventually led to the creation of Peace Heroes Walks and the Storytrail Garden.
What is Storytrail Garden?
Storytrail Garden is a sculpture garden in Tubac, Arizona dedicated to honoring the stories of peace and justice. It celebrates individuals whose lives reflect the ideals of Peace Heroism.
What happens during a Hope Beyond Borders concert?
The evening blends original songs, storytelling, and a moment recognizing a local Peace Hero from the community hosting the event.
Why include Peace Heroes in a concert?
Music can help us listen more deeply to one another. Honoring Peace Heroes reminds us that hope is not abstract—it lives in people.
What kind of music do you perform?
My music blends elements of folk, rock, and jazz, often in a style that feels close to the tradition of street ballads and storytelling.
What message do you hope audiences leave with?
That every community already has people quietly doing the work of peace—and that each of us can choose to live with a little more courage and compassion.
Why do you call this tour “Hope Beyond Borders”?
Because hope often grows where people cross the invisible borders that divide us—borders of culture, belief, fear, and misunderstanding. Peace Heroes remind us that compassion and courage can transcend those lines.
What question guides the entire evening?
Who is your Peace Hero?
