Rarely do the citizens served by the men and women of our military get the chance to know their thoughts and feelings. Songs from the Soul of Service, the songwriting contest for military personnel, provides that opportunity. "This contest truly personalizes the image of the military," says overall winner, Captain Steve Wilson. He goes on to say, "This contest gives us the chance to showcase what might otherwise remain silent or be forgotten."
Captain Wilson, the son of a retired Chief Master Sergeant, graduated from the University of North Texas, and soon after answered the call to duty becoming a B-52 electronic warfare officer. His songs reflect his love of family and the sacrifices occasioned by military service. One particularly personal and poignant song, "Like I Do," resulted from a deployment that separated Wilson from his then infant son. As Captain Wilson explains, "On September 10th 2002 (one day before the anniversary of 9/11) my son Connor was born. Two months later, my unit deployed to fly missions in Afghanistan... Leaving my two month old first born son was difficult to say the least."
Songs From the Soul of Service also introduced us to Mrs. Jill Charles, the wife of Army Staff Sergeant Robert Charles. An active member of the Fort Hood Army Base community and acclaimed local performer in the area, Mrs. Charles, like Captain Wilson, writes songs full of echoes of love, service, and sacrifice. Her song, "I Can't Wait To Love You," is a response to her husband's first deployment. Mrs. Charles describes the inception of the song; "My heart was so broken and aching for him. I was in the kitchen praying as I was doing dishes, and the song came to me. I grabbed some paper and started writing." The result was the top song in contest's Inspirational category.
The contest has uncovered a treasure trove of talented songwriters from within our nations military, each with a unique story and background but all sharing a devotion to service and a desire to have the rest of the citizenry see into their personal thoughts and feeling on what that service really means. The value of this is expressed well by contest finalist Army Sergeant Paul Cataldi:
" I feel it is of the utmost importance for Americans to know how we feel as service men and women, as well as for them to hear our personal experiences. War can be a very confusing thing, and changes you in many ways forever. Without having been through it though, many will never understand how exactly it changes those who've seen it. My hope is that myself and my fellow military artists will be able to provide some insight into the psyche of the soldier."
Songs From The Soul Of Service is presented by the Dallas Songwriters Association (DSA) with assistance from the Office of the Secretary of Defenses' America Supports You program, and support from Broad Jam Music Service, Chase Bank, the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, and the Texas VFW.
Songs From The Soul Of Service
Dallas Songwriter Association
Sammons Center for the Arts
3630 Harry Hines Blvd. Box 20
Dallas, TX 75219
Related websites:
www.SongsSoulService.Org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6TnAZ2zKF8
http://www.myspace.com/songsfromthesoulofservice
www.DallasSongwriters.Org
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/Content.aspx?ID=4498346
0
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/america/musical_SongsSo
ulServicel.html
http://www.americasupportsyou.com/americasupportsyou/Content.aspx?ID=4469316
3&SectionID=1
http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-soulofservice_0529
gl.State.Edition1.1f998a0.html
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
U.S. SOLDIERS SHARE THOUGHTS THROUGH SONGWRITING
Once Again, Songwriting Association Presents to the Nation Our Military’s Finest
WHAT: Songs From The Soul Of Service songwriting contest winners
WHERE: Dallas, TX
WHO: U.S. Military, Dallas Songwriters Assoc., Dept. of Defense’s America
Supports You Program
WHEN: 1) Now
2) Awards, CD, and Concert in Summer and Winter 2008.
A marine in Fallujah pens a song about standing watch. A sailor stationed in Hawaii scribbles a lullaby for his son, while in the Iraqi desert, a soldier raps into a tape recorder. These soldier-songwriters along with others stationed around the world submitted hundreds of their original songs to Songs from the Soul of Service, the songwriting contest exclusively for the men and women of the US military. As songwriter Master Sergeant David Arsement put it, “To write a song during my time in IRAQ... Between 17-hour workdays and Mortar rounds coming at us, it took longer than most of my songs to write, but a soldier’s gotta do what a soldier’s gotta do.”
After many months of anticipation, the contest’s judges from across the music profession have made their choices.
There are 18 category winners and runners up.
From among these came the top three songs overall:
#1 “Ask Me To” by Air Force Captain Steve Wilson
#2 “If Tomorrow Were A Dream” by National Guard E4 Greg Pritchard
#3 “I Can’t Wait To Love You” by Jill Charles, the wife of Army Staff Sergeant Robert Charles
Below is a complete list of winners and runners up.
Songs From The Soul Of Service Winners 2007/2008
AFGHAN/IRAQ
1. We'll Be Together by Zach Johnson Army Ft. Campbell, KY
2. When I came Home by Paul Cataldi Army Ft. Campbell, KY
3. Ten Things To Do If I Live by Michael Del Palazzo Marine Corps Fallujah, Iraq
COUNTRY
1. Wherever You Are (Morgan's Song) by Rebecca "Becca Rae" Greene, Army, Fort Lewis, WA
2. If Tomorrow Were A Dream by Greg Pritchard, National Guard, CA CBHCO MEDICAL SACRAMENTO
3. 100 Feet Short Of Being A Texan by Curtis Goho, Army Grafenwohr Training Area, Germany
HIP HOP
1. My Life (Live Free) by Billy G. Roberson, Jr., Air Force, Davis-Monthan AFB
2. Universal Soldiers by Billy G. Roberson, Jr. , Air Force, Davis-Monthan AFB
3. 'Drive On' by Adrian Taylor, John Kirk, Cedric Taylor, Army Air Force, Fort Sam Houston, Tx
INSPIRATIONAL
1. I Can't Wait To Love You by Jill Charles, Army, Ft. Hood, Texas
2. Soldier by James Cumberland, Air Force, McGuire AFB
3. Like I Do by Steve Wilson Air Force, Randolph Air Force Base, TX
INSTRUMENTAL
1. Sento Nel Core by Erik Burch, National Guard, Vancouver, WA
2. Remember by Curtis Goho, Army, Grafenwohr Training Area, Germany
3. Sun e Dim by Erik Burch, National Guard, Vancouver, WA
POP
1. Ask Me To by Steve Wilson, Air Force, Randolph Air Force Base, TX
2. Different Side by Frankie Cleary, Navy USS JOHN STENNIS
3. It's Not Your Turn to Cry by Pam Barragan, Coast Guard Air Stat. Cape Cod, Mass
*Grand prize judging results in parenthesis
Songs from the Soul of Service is now working to recognize and honor the great songs and songwriters uncovered by the contest and to present them to the rest of the country. As was the case with the 2005/2006 running of the contest, support from sponsors and news organizations will play a major role. Once again, the winners are being recognized with prizes sponsored by, among others, Broad Jam Music Service, Chase Bank, the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, and the Texas VFW. Work has also begun on a professionally produced compact disc compilation of winning songs from the contest, and various public events
are being planned to showcase the winning songs and songwriters. The events will culminate with a major concert near the end of the year headlined by well-known recording artists.
The Songs From The Soul Of Service songwriting contest invites the men and women of our military to share with us their thoughts and feelings. Presented by the Dallas Songwriters Association (DSA) with assistance from the Office of the Secretary of Defenses’ America Supports You Program, the contest provides the civilian community a way to say to those servicing in our military, we’re thinking about you; we care about you; we appreciate the work you have to do; and we value what you have to say. Speaking on the value of the project,
the current Commander of the US Army Band, Colonel Thomas Rotondi said, “...What a great initiative!!! I'd like to be involved... What you folks are doing is fantastic! Thanks for your great support of our Service Members!!!”
For more information about Songs From The Soul Of Service or to learn how you can help support the project please contact:
William K. Brown, Committee Chairperson
Songs From The Soul Of Service
Dallas Songwriter Association
Sammons Center for the Arts
3630 Harry Hines Blvd. Box 20
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: 817-808-7469
William@songssoulservice.org
Michael Dawson, Events Producer
Songs From The Soul Of Service
Dallas Songwriter Association
Sammons Center for the Arts
3630 Harry Hines Blvd. Box 20
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: 214-244-9858
Michael@songssoulservice.org
Related websites:
www.SongsSoulService.Org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6TnAZ2zKF8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBucysevIRI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-MPLXKviIA
http://www.myspace.com/songsfromthesoulofservice
http://www.DallasSongwriters.Org
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/Content.aspx?ID=44784235&SectionID=1
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/america/musical_SongsSoulService.html
http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-soulofservice_0529gl.State.Edition1.1f998a0.html
http://www.americasupportsyou.com/americasupportsyou/Content.aspx?ID=44693163&SectionID=1
Dallas Songwriters Association is a 501 C-3 non-profit educational organization,
dedicated to providing to songwriters everywhere opportunities for learning about the craft and business of songwriting.
WHAT: Songs From The Soul Of Service songwriting contest winners
WHERE: Dallas, TX
WHO: U.S. Military, Dallas Songwriters Assoc., Dept. of Defense’s America
Supports You Program
WHEN: 1) Now
2) Awards, CD, and Concert in Summer and Winter 2008.
A marine in Fallujah pens a song about standing watch. A sailor stationed in Hawaii scribbles a lullaby for his son, while in the Iraqi desert, a soldier raps into a tape recorder. These soldier-songwriters along with others stationed around the world submitted hundreds of their original songs to Songs from the Soul of Service, the songwriting contest exclusively for the men and women of the US military. As songwriter Master Sergeant David Arsement put it, “To write a song during my time in IRAQ... Between 17-hour workdays and Mortar rounds coming at us, it took longer than most of my songs to write, but a soldier’s gotta do what a soldier’s gotta do.”
After many months of anticipation, the contest’s judges from across the music profession have made their choices.
There are 18 category winners and runners up.
From among these came the top three songs overall:
#1 “Ask Me To” by Air Force Captain Steve Wilson
#2 “If Tomorrow Were A Dream” by National Guard E4 Greg Pritchard
#3 “I Can’t Wait To Love You” by Jill Charles, the wife of Army Staff Sergeant Robert Charles
Below is a complete list of winners and runners up.
Songs From The Soul Of Service Winners 2007/2008
AFGHAN/IRAQ
1. We'll Be Together by Zach Johnson Army Ft. Campbell, KY
2. When I came Home by Paul Cataldi Army Ft. Campbell, KY
3. Ten Things To Do If I Live by Michael Del Palazzo Marine Corps Fallujah, Iraq
COUNTRY
1. Wherever You Are (Morgan's Song) by Rebecca "Becca Rae" Greene, Army, Fort Lewis, WA
2. If Tomorrow Were A Dream by Greg Pritchard, National Guard, CA CBHCO MEDICAL SACRAMENTO
3. 100 Feet Short Of Being A Texan by Curtis Goho, Army Grafenwohr Training Area, Germany
HIP HOP
1. My Life (Live Free) by Billy G. Roberson, Jr., Air Force, Davis-Monthan AFB
2. Universal Soldiers by Billy G. Roberson, Jr. , Air Force, Davis-Monthan AFB
3. 'Drive On' by Adrian Taylor, John Kirk, Cedric Taylor, Army Air Force, Fort Sam Houston, Tx
INSPIRATIONAL
1. I Can't Wait To Love You by Jill Charles, Army, Ft. Hood, Texas
2. Soldier by James Cumberland, Air Force, McGuire AFB
3. Like I Do by Steve Wilson Air Force, Randolph Air Force Base, TX
INSTRUMENTAL
1. Sento Nel Core by Erik Burch, National Guard, Vancouver, WA
2. Remember by Curtis Goho, Army, Grafenwohr Training Area, Germany
3. Sun e Dim by Erik Burch, National Guard, Vancouver, WA
POP
1. Ask Me To by Steve Wilson, Air Force, Randolph Air Force Base, TX
2. Different Side by Frankie Cleary, Navy USS JOHN STENNIS
3. It's Not Your Turn to Cry by Pam Barragan, Coast Guard Air Stat. Cape Cod, Mass
*Grand prize judging results in parenthesis
Songs from the Soul of Service is now working to recognize and honor the great songs and songwriters uncovered by the contest and to present them to the rest of the country. As was the case with the 2005/2006 running of the contest, support from sponsors and news organizations will play a major role. Once again, the winners are being recognized with prizes sponsored by, among others, Broad Jam Music Service, Chase Bank, the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, and the Texas VFW. Work has also begun on a professionally produced compact disc compilation of winning songs from the contest, and various public events
are being planned to showcase the winning songs and songwriters. The events will culminate with a major concert near the end of the year headlined by well-known recording artists.
The Songs From The Soul Of Service songwriting contest invites the men and women of our military to share with us their thoughts and feelings. Presented by the Dallas Songwriters Association (DSA) with assistance from the Office of the Secretary of Defenses’ America Supports You Program, the contest provides the civilian community a way to say to those servicing in our military, we’re thinking about you; we care about you; we appreciate the work you have to do; and we value what you have to say. Speaking on the value of the project,
the current Commander of the US Army Band, Colonel Thomas Rotondi said, “...What a great initiative!!! I'd like to be involved... What you folks are doing is fantastic! Thanks for your great support of our Service Members!!!”
For more information about Songs From The Soul Of Service or to learn how you can help support the project please contact:
William K. Brown, Committee Chairperson
Songs From The Soul Of Service
Dallas Songwriter Association
Sammons Center for the Arts
3630 Harry Hines Blvd. Box 20
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: 817-808-7469
William@songssoulservice.org
Michael Dawson, Events Producer
Songs From The Soul Of Service
Dallas Songwriter Association
Sammons Center for the Arts
3630 Harry Hines Blvd. Box 20
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: 214-244-9858
Michael@songssoulservice.org
Related websites:
www.SongsSoulService.Org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6TnAZ2zKF8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBucysevIRI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-MPLXKviIA
http://www.myspace.com/songsfromthesoulofservice
http://www.DallasSongwriters.Org
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/Content.aspx?ID=44784235&SectionID=1
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/america/musical_SongsSoulService.html
http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-soulofservice_0529gl.State.Edition1.1f998a0.html
http://www.americasupportsyou.com/americasupportsyou/Content.aspx?ID=44693163&SectionID=1
Dallas Songwriters Association is a 501 C-3 non-profit educational organization,
dedicated to providing to songwriters everywhere opportunities for learning about the craft and business of songwriting.
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