Archive for Patriot Music
2011 Christmas Lights Spectacular – Thank You Troops and Veterans!
Posted by: | CommentsI’m sharing with you a spectacular 2011 Christmas light display that is dedicated to our men and women in our armed forces.
Stated in the video’s notes,
Since 1775, over 1.3 million American troops have made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you and please visit SemperFiFund.org to help give back to those who protect our freedom.
I suggest watching this 2011 Christmas light display in full screen to truly appreciate it.
“Fear the Boom and Bust” a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem
Posted by: | CommentsA flash from the past. This video/rap song was uploaded on January 23, 2010 and is still relevant today.
A Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem
In Fear the Boom and Bust, John Maynard Keynes and F. A. Hayek, two of the great economists of the 20th century, come back to life to attend an economics conference on the economic crisis. Before the conference begins,…
Get the full story of this video and the lyrics at Fear the Boom and Bust
http://econstories.tv/2010/06/22/fear-the-boom-and-bust/
Johnny Wood’s tribute to our Soldiers who have Been To Hell And Back
Posted by: | CommentsOn Sept 11, 2001 America got a glimpse of what hell was like. Most of us stood by and watched on TV the horrors of 9/11 as the events unfolded before our eyes. Some actually lived through the devastation of the dust and debris engulfing the streets of New York or the fire that ripped through the Pentagon. And 3000 plus are not here today because of those attacks. Yes it was hell for the many Americans who stood by their televisions or were near the scenes and watched the horror unfold live.
Photo of this site's Son as he graduates from Fort Jackson, SC
Since that day, tens of thousands of brave men and women have joined our armed forces. Unlike most of us who now go about our lives stopping occasionally to remember hell, they are living it everyday.
Singer/songwriter Johnny Wood remembers 9/11 all too well, being a Native of Chesapeake Virginia. He also vividly remembers watching the news when some of our military completing their first tour of duty started coming home. “I was watching TV and the reporter was stopping some of the soldiers, chatting with them and asking questions the way any reporter would.” Johnny recalled, “There was this one guy, looked to be barely 20. After a few basic questions, the reporter asked him ‘Did you kill anyone?’ He didn’t answer but the look on this young mans face said it all. You could see the hell in his eyes”
Johnny did what he always does when something touches his heart. “I grabbed my guitar and wrote the song in about five minutes flat. I wrote it for that soldier and all of them that have Been To Hell And Back”
Been To Hell And Back is a simple ballad that tells the story of how once they go and serve in a war, our soldier’s lives are changed forever. When they do come home, many face the expectations from family and friends that they will be the same person that left here. “How can they be the same? War is hell.” Said Johnny as he continued, “Only those whom have been there can really relate to what it is like.”
The song addresses how a mother realizes her boy is different after going to Iraq. His Dad knows there is only one person that could help his son cope with what he went through, and that is someone who has been through it himself. He tells his son to talk to his uncle, a Vietnam vet.
Been To Hell and Back is simplistic in style with words that actually tell a story. It is one of those tunes that creates a visual in your mind and tugs at your heart. Like all of Mr. Wood’s tunes, it came from real life. “Songwriting and music is my therapy” Johnny laughs, “I see something, or need to speak from my heart, I write a song. I wrote ‘You Raised Me’ for my Mom and even wrote a song for my wife. I sang it to her at our wedding.”
Johnny Wood has been playing guitar since he was seven, but has never considered himself a musician. “I do have a band now though, with some good friends Jeff Lacey on drums and Brad (BO) Bowman on bass. I call it my ‘midlife crisis’, The Johnny Wood Band.” He laughs, then continues, “They are the powerhouse behind the band and the music, I couldn’t ask for none better.” Johnny and his ‘Mid-Life Crisis’ band are working on a studio version of this song, which is coming along great. “Wait till you hear the full studio version, we did the acoustic recording of Been to Hell because we really wanted to get it out there.’
And those who have ‘Been to Hell and Back’ are so glad you did get it out there!
Learn more about Johnny Wood on ReverbNation , MySpace and YouTube.
I Have A Dream by Kurtis Reminds Us What America is All About
Posted by: | CommentsIn the tradition of Charlie Daniels, the band known as Kurtis explodes on the scene with the straight forward, plainly country song , I Have A Dream.
A gutsy, no punches pulled song that is touching many a red, white, and blue heart. Simplistically written, with an unmistakably country sound and perfect harmonizing vocals, it is one that gets you tapping your foot, clapping your hands and saying hell yeah. I Have a Dream’s message is simple, America needs to take care of America.
I Have a Dream by Kurtis
In a phone interview with Shawn Rhem (lead Guitar/vocals), Shawn shared his thoughts on the song. “This song was came to be after hearing so many other songs like Shutting Detroit Down and Red, White, and Pink Slip Blues. I was talking to Eric, who helped me write it, and said, ‘those songs are great, but they are missing the chance to inspire people. We need to do that. ’ It took us six months to get it right but I think the message is clear.”
Kurtis , whom consists of Brian Curtis, Shawn Rhem, Luckey, John Rodrig, and Bill Gregory are out of Nashville, TN and are currently in the Tennessee state finals for the Colgate Country Showdown, Americas Largest Country Music Competition. With a true country/southern rock flavor that shines in their songs such as In the Right Now and Tattoo, one can be sure to be hearing a lot more about this band.
I asked Shawn, “do you see music as playing a vital role in changing peoples view of the happenings in the country?” “I would like to see it,” Shawn said, “but I have gotten mixed reactions from the music industry about I Have a Dream. They love it but are afraid of it, often cautioning us about making a political statement. I applaud artist like John Rich, Charlie Daniels, Trace Adkins and others that are not afraid to take a stand for what they believe in, we just don’t have the resources to do it the way they can. We are playing this song live, and the fans really love it, but radio play would be awesome.”
In sharing how I Have a Dream came to be, Shawn remembers hitting a roadblock in writing. “We had some gigs in Japan, and on the flight, Eric and I decided, to pass the time, we would get back to work writing the bridge to the song. As we flew over the Rockies, the sight was beautiful. With that backdrop, the bridge just flowed out.”
I also had the pleasure of speaking with Brian Curtis, (lead Vocals), who echoed Shawn’s take of the song. “I Have a Dream is inspirational and the response is phenomenal. What really touches us all is when we play it live, the number of Military personnel that come up to us and say ‘Wow! I really loved that song!’ Many ask if we would do a USO tour and if we were ever given the opportunity, we sure would.”
When asked his view point on whether music played a role in today’s political environment, Brian quickly said “Yes. Music reaches people. I view music as a reflection of what is happening today. Right now. Whether on a personal level or global, music is like a journal of life. With I Have A Dream, we are reflecting where America is at, not by grandstanding, but rather reminding people where we came from.” “Do you think it is working?” I asked. Brian replied “Yes it is! We have been contacted by many people about the song.” Kurtis is in the studio now working on a full studio version of I Have a Dream that in Brian’s words will “blow your mind”. The acoustic version will still be available even after the studio version is released.
I asked Shawn “In closing, if you could address congress or the President today, what is the one thing you would say?” “It is time to listen to the people!” said Shawn. “But more importantly I would tell the American People to use their voice, go vote. Research the hot button issues of today like health care and immigration for example. Develop your own opinions, party lines aside and get out to the polls. Let your voice be heard. Remember that our government works for us, that is what the founders of this great country intended.”
Members of Congress, Mr. President, and the American people, I have a song I think you need to hear.
For more information on Kurtis, please visit:
