Entertainers Who Support the Troops [includes Billy Joel, Sarah McLachlin, Five for Fighting, etc.]

MichelleMalkin.com ^ | 11/16/2007 | Michelle Malkin

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

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!

[metesky]

(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.”)

An interesting tidbit.

[metesky]

I think it has more value than you think. Most of the cultural left have recently seen all their highly funded anti-war/anti-Bush efforts falling apart in the one area that really counts to the limousine liberals: their wallets.

On the other hand we have people supporting our men and women who very well could gain financially from their work merrily giving it away to a couple of million people.

I think that's a very loud cultural shot.

[Chode]

Sarah McLachlan...

you have NO IDEA how happy this makes me!!!

i was always afraid she'd open her mouth one day and break my heart.

[Vision Thing]

Yeah, I know.

But she is an Alaskan so maybe thats where she gets it from

Jewel also rose to fame while living in that notoriously right-wing, military town named San Diego.

Some of her lyrics are politically left wing, but I like this one, from "Standing Still", which seems to criticize both sides:

There's dead end to my left,
There's a burning bush, to my right.

She performed this song during a Garth Brooks concert. It was on the flight deck of a naval aircraft carrier, not too long after 9/11, and just before we invaded Afghanistan. CBS TV (of all people) actually broadcast it live.

[Vision Thing]

The Billy Joel and Melissa Etheridge numbers certainly qualify as legitimate hits. Those more familiar than I with the remaining artists will have to speak as to whether or not the other selections do, as well.

The Montgomery Gentry song "My Town" is practically a 2nd national anthem for Americans who live between Interstates 5 and 95.

[FrdmLvr]

Especially since most of them are card-carrying lefties.

[LS]

Good for them, and thanks to Drew Carey for his terrific support and entertainment of the troops. (A former Marine, Carey!)

[LS]

BTW, for those of you who watch “The Unit,” there was a great episode a few weeks ago about a prima donna chick singer who visited Iraq to entertain the troops and the “Unit” had to serve as her bodyguards. The episode was thought-provoking (she ended up stealing a soldier’s poem for a song) but generally supportive (she came to see what a necessary and difficult job our troops have).

[A.A. Cunningham]

Melissa Ethridge

No thanks.

[mylife]

Thanks for the background

[mylife]

I wouldnt know where to start

[tndarlin]

Start by texting the Troops @ 89279 or go to www.americasupportsyou.mil to check out other ways to support the troops in your area! We all make a difference, not just entertainers!

[mylife]

Thanks

[CyberAnt]

And .. the Lt. Dan Band is headed by Gary Sinese (CSI-NY).

Great guy.

[aculeus]

bttt

[peggybac]

This is great they have known conservatives and liberals mixed in the bunch.

[peggybac]

“Melissa Ethridge was a surprise. Good for her.”

I was a bit surprised as well, but, Melissa is from Leavenworth, KS, so perhaps some loyalty rubbed off??

[HoosierHawk]

Thanks, mylife.

[mylife]

Sure

[Dante3]

Yes.