SongwritingWith:Soldiers
| Founder | |
|---|---|
| Type | Tax exemption status: 501(c)(3) |
Area served | United States |
| Method | Donations and Grants |
Key people | Darden Smith, creative director; Mary Judd, executive director |
| Website | www |
SongwritingWith:Soldiers is a non-profit organization founded in 2012 by singer-songwriter Darden Smith. Smith serves as Creative Director. Mary Judd is the program's Executive Director.[1] SongwritingWith:Soldiers holds weekend retreats that pair professional songwriters with active duty and veteran service members--many of them suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or Traumatic Brain Injury--who share stories about their experiences of combat and the challenges of returning home. Working collaboratively, the musicians and soldiers turn the stories into songs.[2] Retreats are open to service members from all branches of the military.
History
In 2008, Smith performed at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for American soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. After returning home, Smith met with members of the Texas National Guard and learned about Angel Flights--a program in which pilots fly fallen service members home to the United States. Smith contacted a longtime friend, singer-songwriter Radney Foster, and together they wrote a song called "Angel Flight," which Foster recorded on his CD Revival (2009).[3] The song's positive reception led to Smith organizing several songwriting workshops for LifeQuest Transitions, a group that helps wounded veterans with their transition to civilian life.[4] Smith's workshops were modeled on his The Be An Artist Program, founded in 2003, to bring creativity and the arts into educational settings. In 2012, Smith launched SongwritingWith:Soldiers.[1] Smith recorded of "Angel Flight" for his new album Love Calling (release date: August 27, 2013).
Retreats
SongwritingWith:Soldiers has held two retreats: October 26-28, 2012, and April 26-28, 2013. Both took place at the Cedarbrake Renewal Center located in Belton, Texas, near Fort Hood, one of the largest military bases in the United States. Soldiers meet with songwriters for three-hour sessions, telling stories and working on songs.[5] "Many of the soldiers said they shared personal stories with the musicians that they had discussed only with their wife or husband — if at all."[2]At the first retreat, participants wrote songs with Smith and two additional professional songwriters, Radney Foster and Jay Clementi. At the second retreat, participants wrote songs with Smith, Clementi, Gary Nicholson, and Darrell Scott.[1]
On the final day of SongwritingWith:Soldiers's retreats, songs written over the weekend are performed by the musicians and recorded onto CDs, which the soldiers may take home to their families and communities. In addition, participants are registered with ASCAP (The American Society for Composers, Authors, and Publishers) as co-writers of their songs; if applicable, they will share in any royalties.[2] Retreats are free for service members and their families.[5]
Future projects and funding
In 2014, with sufficient funding, Smith and Judd will hold eight retreats, near military installations across the US. SongwritingWith:Soldier is supported by grants and donations. Its key funding partners include the Bob Woodruff Foundation, the ASCAP Foundation, and Lockheed Martin. Additional support comes from Veteran’s United Foundation; the Mayerson Foundation; the Mid-America Arts Alliance; the National Endowment for the Arts; and the Texas Commission on the Arts. The retreats have been photographed by Stacy Pearsall and Andy Dunaway, former combat photographers, and Michael O'Brien. Videographer and veteran James Monk, Mercy Lamp Productions, has filmed the retreats.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Jessica Nicholson, Nashville Songwriters Partner with SongwritingWith:Soldiers http://www.musicrow.com/2013/04/nashville-songwriters-partner-with-songwritingwithsoldiers Music Row. Accessed May 1, 2013./ Cite error: The named reference "Music Row" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b c Kristina Shevory, "Soldiers Turn Stories Into Songs at Texas Retreat" http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/05/soldiers-turn-stories-into-songs-at-a-texas-retreat/ The New York Times (November 17, 2012). Accessed May 2, 2013.
- ^ David Peisner "Fight Songs: How Songwriting is Saving War Vets’ Lives" http://www.spin.com/articles/songwriting-soldiers-war-ptsd-veterans-treatment/ Spin Magazine. November 29, 2012
- ^ Tony Perry, "Musicians put veterans' experiences into song" http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/26/entertainment/la-ca-combat-music-20120226 Los Angeles Times (February 26, 2012)
- ^ a b Kristin Shevory, "Writing Songs Provides Peace for Some Soldiers" http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/us/songwritingwithsoldiers-eases-way-for-soldiers.html The New York Times (November 18, 2012), p. 29B