Entertainers who support the troops
We do a lot of Hollywood-bashing here, but when celebrities do something right, they deserve full credit and praise. John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting has brought together many musicians to produce a CD for the troops (hat tip – Blackfive). Here’s the lowdown:
Just in time for the holidays, 13 major recording artists have created a musical “Thank You” for the troops.
“CD for the Troops” will be available for anyone with a valid military identification card to download at no cost from the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Web site, www.aafes.com, beginning tomorrow.
…Mitch Bainwol, chief executive officer of the Recording Industry Association of America, agreed. “This is an historic project. It shows that a music community that has many voices speaks with just one when it comes to support for men and women in uniform,” he said in a news release from the Defense Department’s America Supports You program. “We are proud to come together to help offer a compilation with some of today’s best-selling artists and songs. We hope his album will be music to the ears of our troops.”
America Supports You is a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel serving at home and abroad.
Getting this project, which combined the music of Billy Joel, Brooks & Dunn, the Goo Goo Dolls, Jewel, Josh Groban, Los Lonely Boys, Melissa Ethridge, the Neville Brothers, Sarah McLachlan, the Lt. Dan Band, Montgomery Gentry, The Fray, and Five For Fighting, to troops’ ears took true teamwork. John Ondrasik, the singer-songwriter who performs under the stage name “Five For Fighting,” was intimately involved with making sure that happened.
“Beyond the artists and managers, all the record companies and publishers had to approve free downloads to over 1.5 million potential users,” he said. “(It) also could not have been achieved without the financial, logistical, and emotional support of (the Recording Industry Association of America), AAFES, TriWest Health Care Alliance, America Supports You, Media Base and Sony Manufacturing.”
Ondrasik spearheaded the CD after being asked to write a forward and contribute a song to a compilation of local bands sending music to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I thought it was a wonderful gesture,” he said, explaining his belief that music is a unique medium that can affect morale and mental health. “I started making a few calls to friends of mine, and six months later we have the CD for the troops.”
Ondrasik has been a staunch supporter of the troops. I was lucky to attend one of his concerts earlier this spring, where he saluted active-duty troops and veterans in the audience, several of whom he had personally invited after meeting them during a visit to Guantanamo Bay. As I noted after the concert:
The most emotional moment of the night: When he told the crowd the back story behind “Two Lights,” about a young American soldier headed to Iraq and his Vietnam Vet father, and shared an update–turns out the father recently e-mailed him to let him know that the son is alive and well. (Flashback: Check out The Glenn and Helen Show interview with Ondrasik in case you missed it. Victor Davis Hanson played an integral part in “Two Lights.”)
Ondrasik’s message for the troops upon the release of the new CD:
“No matter how the troops hear the music, Ondrasik said he hopes it “inspires, motivates, provides an avenue for reflection, or simply distracts you from a mission few can imagine, much less undertake,” he said.
“If anything, let each tune be a small piece of home to carry you forward,” he said to the troops. “Thank you for all you do, and feel free to shoot me an e-mail with requests for ‘CD for the Troops II.’”
Spread the word. Support the entertainers who support the troops!
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Admittedly, Sarah McLaughlin would probably not be your typical soldier’s first choice for a soundtrack by which to gun down jihadi’s.
Damn nice of her to get involved, though.
Well Buck, once again, you prove what an absolute moron you are, and incapable of grasping the entire point of what anyone is saying. Rather than going at someone’s comments, you decide to make it personal and then attack ad hominem. While your post does nothing except project your own little hate-filled and bigotted world to all of us, it also does nothing to address something that was already defined and explained.
For the record, you troll, I do not drink, am not closed minded nor represent anything your little bigotted tirade came up with.
Now, if that was your attempt at flaming, you will get schooled to the point of going to your mom and promising her you will never again get on her computer this late at night, even though it isn’t a school night.
you are one of the biggest examples of why there should be stem-cell research there is. Now, why don’t you get off mommy’s computer, go back down into her basement, tuck yourself in and get a good night’s sleep. You have obviously had a busy day and are over tired. Tomorrow is another big day of hating America, using emotions instead of logic or facts in your attempts to make some point that only you understand or find witty, and maybe, if you are lucky, you can find some time to spread some conspiricy theories or drop in on a thread to spread some crud around after you think everyone is gone like you usually do.
Trip trap trip trap, i think the billy goats are back little troll. Now go to bed.
It’s odd that some of the artists who contributed would be just as at home at a “Code Pink” fundraiser.
You can’t be “Pro-Troop” and “Anti-War” at the same time… “I support you, but the job you do, your very career choice is abominable to me.”
Not to mention publicly tearing down and insulting those same troops’ Commander-in-Chief, and commanding General…
Congrats in order on-my-soap-box!!!!!
I too will be a grandmother very soon!
I know you are thrilled and excited!
What a great Thanksgiving blessing!
Sorry to be off topic, but another conservative, we hope, was born!!
Congrats soap!!
stealing bear material…
Image of soap crying his eyes out.
wtg grandpa!
This is my first post. So take it easy on me. RUSTY, You POS. You really do have something in your life that has turned you against everything. I’ve read your post’s before and I can’t understand why you would even come to MM site except to show how stupid and naive you are.
As our hostess says, Support Entertainers who Support the Troops!
That includes everyone on that list- even the anti war entertainers.
MM has no problem with crediting those who’s opinions she may disagree with when it comes to a great common cause like troop support, and neither should anyone else here. They did a good thing, even if you don’t like their politics.
Just think, Melissa Etheridge and RetFireman have something in common…they both supoort the troops!
I love Five for Fighting and am not at all surprised that he is spearheading something like this. He may not be “edgy” but bland he is not, has a voice like an Angel of God, and can play the piano like he was born to do it.
Listen to “Two Light” and I bet you can’t keep yourself from crying. He’s a poet. I hope all the troops get a chance to hear these songs.
This I guess there’s no mitigation for your stupidity.
Because you just know them Sooo well Miss Cleo.
I find it amusing that people who are so entrenched into living there lives through the media world , living everyday for the next breath of air from media types, still refuse to admit that the actors/musicians do what they do for publicity and image inhancement. To go to a wounded soldier’s bedside and to emote is easy for them. Now they may have genuine tears of sadness for the patient’s plight…. but they are in the camera’s glare 5 minutes later and loving it.You don’t have to personally know one of them to see the hypocritical nuance. Regarding supporting the trooper but not the war. The trooper IS the war, he/she is the mission enabler. While I may argue with service people who served , then may have an issue… I countenance no tolerance of those who sit back in comfort and whine.
#110
There is absolutely NO chance that these people might genuinely feel the support?
That’s like saying…hmm…that every piece of red meat that well-known conservative commentator MM throws you guys on this website is to simply further her own “publicity and image inhancement (sic)”, and she might not believe everything she writes or says?
No wait, that can’t be right…
Exactly, and it’s not a difficult concept to understand. I can’t think of a greater sacrifice than to lay it on the line for your country. You support the individuals, understand their struggle,and believe in their self determination and pride. That just comes down to having a sense of humanity. I have a old high school friend that entered the army to pay for school, and did a tour in Iraq. He felt the war was B.S. from the start, but he went and fought, because that was his job and he loves his country. He didn’t believe in the war, but he had a job to do. There are others like him. I’ve never believed in the war in Iraq, but I support my friend, and I support and respect the struggles of our troops. Now that they are there, I hope they win, and get home safe. If jakeaxes like Retfireman, or anyone else can’t understand that concept, then screw you, you don’t have to. Keep living in your “us v. them” worlds, and quit judging what you can’t relate to.
I don’t get the disconnect here. There are many (a majority in fact) politicians, military-types (leaders and rank and file), pundits and just regular citizens of all ideological stripes, including conservatives, moderates and liberals, who believe our foreign policy strategy in Iraq is misguided. Civilian politicians in Washington make foreign policy and when necessary, use the military to implement such policy. It is possible to disagree with the policy put in place by the civilian leadership, while at the same time being supportive of our military. One of my best friends is one of the toughest MFing fighter jocks that this country has every produced, and he thinks (and has thought from the beginning) that our foreign policy strategy in Iraq is a FUBAR cluster. He’s not alone, and he flew numerous missions into Iraq during the actual “war” part of this endeavor. My brother-in-law is over there now and feels the same way. Both these guys love their country though and love what they do, so they did their duty with honor and dignity. Some of the posters I read around here likely can’t say the same.
BTW, some genius called out U2 and Bono for not participating in this very commendable music for the troops deal.
They are Irish and live in Dublin. Not to say they couldn’t participate, but… You probably also know that Bono has done more with respect to poverty and medical care in the third world than just about anyone alive (not named Gates I guess). He walks the walk in a big way, and has Bush 43, the Pope and the rest of the who’s who of world leaders on speed dial. Conservatives, liberals and in between…he talks to them all and gets it done.
#112
Point taken and I will remember that people such as you said “screw you”…….. hope you live a very peaceful and safe life, without any threat from any adversity that you alone cannot control or wish away.
Rusty, be grateful that these entertainers publicly stepped forward to support our troops. Unlike some, who play tough guys in fantasyland, but prefer cozying up to the enemy in real life.
I wish I could post a link and if anyone can, please do so. Treat yourselves and go to stuckmojomedia dot com and listen to/watch the Open Season video. A right wing rock/rapper band with stunning lyrics and great music.
Just finished making the CD for my Vietnam vet hubby…the songs may not be edgy in the ears of our soldiers, but the idea of supporting them is admirable…and I know there is at least one retired soldier who is grateful that the attempt is being made.
An irony worth noting: Sarah McLachlan is Canadian.
This site is dedicated to Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo. On August 24, 2004, he was killed in the line of duty in Najaf, Iraq at the age of 20 while on his second tour of duty.
Please support us…..& thank you. CF
http://weatheroutpost12.com/players.html
There are a lot of opportunities for comment here; I don’t know where to begin. Most of the problems with many of these comments are the complete stereotyping going on. Most people who “support the troops but not the war” are just regular folks, like my relatives who, being from Washington, support the troops (me in particular) but are opposed to the war. No “cognitive dissonance”. I disagree with their views, but they are genunine. Guess what, I was against going into Kosovo and Bosnia, but was still for the military! No disconnect. Now, the egregious examples of these retarded celebrities are different. I don’t agree with that, but that is the extreme; don’t confuse them with vast majority who don’t have the platform or need to run their mouths. In the case of the celebs who are accused of visiting hospitals and all for ulterior motives; why would they want good press from an event that they adamantly oppose? With a crowd that is so virulently anti-military, would they create an artificial situation in which the press they got portrayed them 180 degrees out? No, so maybe some of them really do respect and appreciate the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines–While opposing the current mission of those same people. I certainly hope that they can, and I would appreciate it if they wouldn’t get too vocal in their opposition.
Great post ArmoredCav…you said it about as well as it can be said. Big props to you for your service to our country.
Interesting point, and great post overall.
Kudos from me also ArmoredCav. Thank you for your service, and the poise and eloquence of your post should serve as an example to posters here….me included. Thanks.
The rock band Alter Bridge has a song called “One by one” on their new album (Blackbird) which is a non-partisan tribute to the troops. For those who don’t know, Alter Bridge consists of the original band members of Creed with a much better lead singer fronting the group (Myles Kennedy)
If you’re a rock fan in the Zeppelin/Van Halen mode (their current release, Rise Today, is #5 on the billboard mainstream rock charts), get thee to a store and get that CD immediately. The songs are great and helping a band that enthusiastically supports the troops is a worthy venture.
- Lyrics –
Underneath the desert sun
They bid my brother’s blood to run
Many miles away
Hell has come today
Fire raining from the sky
See the face of fear asking one last time
Let me get home safe
Before it’s too late
[Chorus:]
One by one
The brave will fall
Life is lost again
They gave it all
Deep within the castle walls
So many grieve as funeral songs
Echo endlessly
Ode to memories
This sacrifice of flesh and blood
For a promised land that may not be won
Let us not forget the hero laid to rest
[Chorus]
And they gave it all
A price we can’t ignore
Is there hope in what they’re dying for?
Fore every hero born
From every family torn
We will honor forevermore
[Chorus 2x]
And married to an Iranian.