In the past, we’ve received countless stories from NSAI members who have used their songwriting abilities to honor those who have served our country! In light of today’s national holiday, we’d like to highlight a few members of whom we’ve featured in our newsletters and social media. Have you written a song or contributed in a musical project for veterans? Comment below and tell us your story!
1. “Homeless in the Home of the Brave.”- Russ Pruitt, John Roe, Marshall Thornton
This song was written after NSAI member Marshall Thornton shared his story as a wounded vet. Thornton writes songs as a method of therapy. After sharing an informational video at a workshop with his regional chapter, Pruitt, Roe and Thornton wrote “Homeless In The Home Of The Brave.” “Marshall and I got together and he came up with the story setting: to tell it through the eyes of a guy who sees a homeless vet at a Fourth of July Parade,” Pruitt says. The song reached the ears of Lt. Col. Deborah Snyder (ret.), the CEO of Operation Renewed Hope Foundation and was mentioned a on a news program.
Kevin Levine, fellow NSAI member and attorney with Nashville entertainment law firm DeSalvo & Levine PLLC, prepared a license agreement, permitting the organization to use the song for fund raising purposes. Visitors to the organization’s site, will soon be able to hear the song, donate and learn more about this problem and ways to help. Russ Pruitt and John Roe are Co-coordinators of the Portsmouth, OH/Ashland, and KY Regional Chapters.
2. Operation Song
Earlier this year, Bob Regan and his crew brought Operation Song to the Warrior Outreach Ranch and asked the Columbus NSAI Chapter to participate! The presentation included an interview with veteran Charlie Maupin who landed on the beaches of Normandy. He told us his story with Operation Song. Operation Song's mission is to empower veterans and active duty military to tell their stories through the process of songwriting in creative and therapeutic settings. Their vision is to become the premier songwriting organization serving the military community, expand programs stateside and overseas, and train others in our therapeutic model. Their goal is to establish Operation Song as a unique and viable treatment option, using creative and integrative therapies to help individuals recover from the stress of war and improve the quality of their lives.
3. "Courage Was The Light"- James Williams
James Williams, NSAI member from Columbus, Mississippi, wrote "Courage Was The Light," for a group of WWII vets. The song was featured at the 95th Infantry Museum Dedication in Oklahoma. It was also shown at the Military Hall of Fame banquet at the Oklahoma Museum of History on Veterans' Day 2014 and in Metz, France for the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Metz on November 14th. The song was recorded in Nashville with Biff Watson and Greenshoes Studios created the music video, produced by Williams (vocals by Matt Dame and guitar by Biff Watson). The song recorded by Liberty Heart can be found here on Itunes.
Our hearts go out to the Veteran community today and families with those who have served in the armed forces!
