Willy Pete BLOG

Willy Pete BLOG http://willypete.com/blog.cfm Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:55:00 GMT http://bandzoogle.com DEC. 12, 2011 - NEW CD and FREE Download http://willypete.com/blog.cfm?feature=2746107&postid=1614765 It's finally here! The CD we've been working on for 7 years. All the trips, the concerts, the tours, the troops, the vets, the wounded warriors, the military brats and the stories have led us to this point. Each song was chosen or written for the troops in light of their lifestyle and sacrifice. <a target="_new" href="./store.cfm">SO WE DON'T FORGET has 10 songs with a mix of pop, rock and a hint of country. The following is a brief description of the songs on the project:  "Wanted Dead or Alive"  One of my favorites as a child, this song is a classic and every time we play this for the troops they join us in  shouting "Wanted!" at the top of their lungs. The song is an anthem for those who move from one place to another  and an American warrior is the epitome of that llfestyle.  "My Sacrifice"  On my way home one day I was thinking about how bad my day was when I was reminded that my problems paled  in comparison to those who choose to serve their country. Whether in harms way, deployed, missing loved ones,  struggling with PTSD, waiting for a parent to return, praying for a spouse or any other of million other sacrifices this  is our tribute to the American Warrior.  "Orlando"  Military personnel move often. It's a song that demonstrates the grace with which our troops are able to pick up and  move every 2-3 years.  "PFA"  It's often difficult for civilians to understand conversations between service members because of the copious use of  acronyms and nicknames. I chose to use some of those terms in this song as a way to illustrate the amazing ability  for our troops to communicate with each other with letters and code names. Another important thing about this song is that it talks about many of the things we as a band have experienced in our travels especially when with the troops. The first verse is a true story about a Purple Heart ceremony we were fortunate enough to observe. Hope you'll agree with us that the American warrior is PFA! "So We Don't Forget" This title track is a song of hope written for the loved ones who have to separate during a deployment. The song is set the night before the warrior must leave behind his/her loved one. It's such a commitment and sacrifice that often goes unnoticed. Hopefully this song will help the troops express their love and commitment for each other during these difficult times. "I Want A New Drug" On a tour of military installations in Italy this song became a favorite among the troops. Honestly not sure why it connected but I love the song myself and was excited to offer our own take on this classic. "Carolina" This was written for a friend who was moving away from all he knew. To me this is a sad song of departure...a song that allows you to stick out your chest, hold your head high and move boldly into a new life even in the midst of sadness for friends you leave behind. "Keep Your Head Down" The line that sums up this song is "You are not alone. I'm with you in the fight". Whether you're in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or National Guard you're a family. These family members are the first to run into the fire to rescue a brother or sister. As a civilian I am dedicated to helping other civilians understand a little of the sacrifices that our troops make. It's my hope that we as a nation will always stand beside our troops, our vets, our wounded warriors and their family members. Even though it's impossible for some of us to truly know how it feels, we can attempt to understand as best we can. Then we can honestly tell our troops.... "You are not alone." "American Soldier" This is a remake of the Toby Keith song. It's been one of the most requested songs on our tours. It's a powerful description of the life of our troops. Love the line, "I don't want to die for you but if dyin's asked of me I'll bear that cross with honor." "This Time of Year" The thing I love about Christmas is remembering my hometown and all the traditions that brought our family together. I hope this is a reminder to our troops that no matter where in the world you are you have friends and family counting on your safe return. God bless our troops! <a target="_new" href="./store.cfm">
SO WE DON'T FORGET has 10 songs with a mix of pop, rock and a hint of country. The following is a brief description of the songs on the project:

"Wanted Dead or Alive"
One of my favorites as a child, this song is a classic and every time we play this for the troops they join us in shouting "Wanted!" at the top of their lungs. The song is an anthem for those who move from one place to another and an American warrior is the epitome of that llfestyle.

"My Sacrifice"
On my way home one day I was thinking about how bad my day was when I was reminded that my problems paled in comparison to those who choose to serve their country. Whether in harms way, deployed, missing loved ones, struggling with PTSD, waiting for a parent to return, praying for a spouse or any other of million other sacrifices this is our tribute to the American Warrior.

"Orlando"
Military personnel move often. It's a song that demonstrates the grace with which our troops are able to pick up and move every 2-3 years.

"PFA"
It's often difficult for civilians to understand conversations between service members because of the copious use of acronyms and nicknames. I chose to use some of those terms in this song as a way to illustrate the amazing ability for our troops to communicate with each other with letters and code names.

Another important thing about this song is that it talks about many of the things we as a band have experienced in our travels especially when with the troops. The first verse is a true story about a Purple Heart ceremony we were fortunate enough to observe. Hope you'll agree with us that the American warrior is PFA!

"So We Don't Forget"
This title track is a song of hope written for the loved ones who have to separate during a deployment. The song is set the night before the warrior must leave behind his/her loved one. It's such a commitment and sacrifice that often goes unnoticed. Hopefully this song will help the troops express their love and commitment for each other during these difficult times.

"I Want A New Drug"
On a tour of military installations in Italy this song became a favorite among the troops. Honestly not sure why it connected but I love the song myself and was excited to offer our own take on this classic.

"Carolina"
This was written for a friend who was moving away from all he knew. To me this is a sad song of departure...a song that allows you to stick out your chest, hold your head high and move boldly into a new life even in the midst of sadness for friends you leave behind.

"Keep Your Head Down"
The line that sums up this song is "You are not alone. I'm with you in the fight". Whether you're in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or National Guard you're a family. These family members are the first to run into the fire to rescue a brother or sister. As a civilian I am dedicated to helping other civilians understand a little of the sacrifices that our troops make. It's my hope that we as a nation will always stand beside our troops, our vets, our wounded warriors and their family members. Even though it's impossible for some of us to truly know how it feels, we can attempt to understand as best we can. Then we can honestly tell our troops.... "You are not alone."

"American Soldier"
This is a remake of the Toby Keith song. It's been one of the most requested songs on our tours. It's a powerful description of the life of our troops. Love the line, "I don't want to die for you but if dyin's asked of me I'll bear that cross with honor."

"This Time of Year"
The thing I love about Christmas is remembering my hometown and all the traditions that brought our family together. I hope this is a reminder to our troops that no matter where in the world you are you have friends and family counting on your safe return. God bless our troops!

]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:55:00 GMT 3CA4451C2D52B2D77D9DC5CEDD40A3E0 SEPT. 14, 2011 - Get one Give one http://willypete.com/blog.cfm?feature=2746107&postid=1294919 <a target="_new" href="./store.cfm">CLICK HERE to buy one of these great looking t-shirts (SPECIAL) AND send one to a soldier serving overseas...for one price.  Not only do you get the honor of sending a gift to an American soldier but since every penny made from the sales of these shirts goes to providing encouraging and entertaining events for our troops.  Make sure you purchase the SPECIAL - Smiley.... or ....SPECIAL - Bring the Heat shirt to get the "get one give one" $30 deal.    CLICK HERE to buy one of these great looking t-shirts (SPECIAL) AND send one to a soldier serving overseas...for one price. Not only do you get the honor of sending a gift to an American soldier but since every penny made from the sales of these shirts goes to providing encouraging and entertaining events for our troops.

Make sure you purchase the SPECIAL - Smiley.... or ....SPECIAL - Bring the Heat shirt to get the "get one give one" $30 deal.

]]> Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:50:00 GMT 29E3B91C2B39C32975CD2E09C2F4D6C8 AUG. 7, 2011 - How it all began... http://willypete.com/blog.cfm?feature=2746107&postid=1373977 I've been asked many times how I began playing for the troops and I thought I'd share the moment that sparked the passion. It was 2004 and the band I was with was touring through Europe. One of the concert promoters asked if we would visit a hospital near Ramstein Air Force base called Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. I would later find out that this hospital was the first stop for anyone wounded in Afghanistan or Iraq. It was April and just weeks after the devastating Battle of Fallujah which meant the hospital was packed. As we went room to room performing for the troops we were able to hear their stories and gain a new understanding of their heart and commitment. Each soldier we met spoke of wanting to get back to their "brothers" still in harms way. Their spirits were high even though their bodies were broken. It was then and there that I realized for the first time that when we as civilians hear on a news report that a ONE soldier has been killed in a fire fight or bombing it means many more have been wounded. Some of those wounded will return soon to the battle front, some will go home, some will be never walk again but all of them will be scared forever by what they've seen and endured to keep us secure. It was a day I'll never forget. So many light bulbs went off in my head and I made it my duty to bring awareness to civilians of the troops' sacrifice and to support and encouragement to our men and women in uniform. Since 2004 my band Willy Pete has been overseas many times and each time a new level of sacrifice and commitment has surfaced. I'll be sharing more of those sacrifices in blogs to come.
It was 2004 and the band I was with was touring through Europe. One of the concert promoters asked if we would visit a hospital near Ramstein Air Force base called Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. I would later find out that this hospital was the first stop for anyone wounded in Afghanistan or Iraq. It was April and just weeks after the devastating Battle of Fallujah which meant the hospital was packed. As we went room to room performing for the troops we were able to hear their stories and gain a new understanding of their heart and commitment. Each soldier we met spoke of wanting to get back to their "brothers" still in harms way. Their spirits were high even though their bodies were broken.

It was then and there that I realized for the first time that when we as civilians hear on a news report that a ONE soldier has been killed in a fire fight or bombing it means many more have been wounded. Some of those wounded will return soon to the battle front, some will go home, some will be never walk again but all of them will be scared forever by what they've seen and endured to keep us secure.

It was a day I'll never forget. So many light bulbs went off in my head and I made it my duty to bring awareness to civilians of the troops' sacrifice and to support and encouragement to our men and women in uniform.

Since 2004 my band Willy Pete has been overseas many times and each time a new level of sacrifice and commitment has surfaced. I'll be sharing more of those sacrifices in blogs to come.
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