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Music Industry Sings Military’s Praises for Second Year
(November 18, 2008) |
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John Ondrasik |
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2008
– Just in time for Thanksgiving, 14 musical acts
are showing just how thankful they are for what
the military does for everyone back home.
Led by John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting, the
musicians lent their hit talents to “For the
Troops II”, a CD featuring 14 hit singles
covering the spectrum of musical genres.
The songs are some of the biggest hits yet for
the participating artists, but the music is
secondary to the CD’s message, the performers
said.
“At the end of the day, it’s really not even
about the songs,” Ondrasik said. “It’s about the
gesture of thanks and support and appreciation.
I salute all these artists who did that.” |
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Ondrasik started the project last year with the help of the
Army and Air Force Exchange Service, TriWest Healthcare
Alliance, and the Recording Industry Association of America.
That original CD, “For the Troops,” was downloaded more than
350,000 times and another 200,000 servicemembers and
retirees worldwide received hard copies of the disc.
The sequel was somewhat easier to pull off because they
already had channels open to the recording companies,
Ondrasik said. On the other hand, he said, he exhausted
“some friendship cards” and had to look for different
talent.
“This time I wanted a whole new line up of artists, and with
the exception of Josh Groban, who’s on here again just
because the military wives love Josh, everybody’s new,”
Ondrasik added. “So, I didn’t have those relationships. We
just started reaching out to anybody and everybody.” |
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That method netted the participation of groups like 3 Doors
Down, Good Charlotte, Daughtry, and Maroon 5. Individual
musicians who lent their crooning to the project include
Gretchen Wilson, Jude, Joe Perry, Keith Urban, Alan Jackson
and Trace Adkins. The late Isaac Hayes also gave a song to
the project before he passed away.
“We have a Roy Orbison [song], which is really cool,”
Ondrasik said. “Roy’s wife, Barbara, gave us a song.
“Roy Orbison adds a certain stature to this CD,” he added.
“We’ve got a legend of legends on here.”
As long as he receives positive feedback from the troops,
Ondrasik said, he’s more |
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than willing to keep
the project going in the future, though there
may be a twist to “For the Troops III,” he
hinted. Regardless of what’s on this CD or the
next, it all boils down to one thing for Ondrasik. |
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“We can’t lose sight of what’s going on,” he said. “We can’t
lose sight of who protects us, and I think, now more than
ever, we need to keep the troops in our hearts and our
minds.”
A complete list of song titles is available on
www.cdforthetroops.com. The tunes will be available for
those with valid military identification, including
veterans, to download beginning Thanksgiving Day and will
remain available through mid-March, Ondrasik said. The
entire CD, as well as individual songs, can be downloaded at
no charge.
If problems are encountered in the downloading process,
Ondrasik suggested contacting Operation Homefront or contact
CD For the Troops through the Web site. | |
Article and
photo by Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2008
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