Songwriting Contest for GIs Yields 18 Winners
(August 1, 2008) | 
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WASHINGTON, July 29, 2008 – A
Marine in Fallujah pens a song about standing
watch. A sailor stationed in Hawaii scribbles a
lullaby for his son while in the Iraqi desert. A
soldier raps into a tape recorder to entertain
his unit. Songwriters like these servicemembers
were among the many who submitted their original
songs to this year's “Songs From the Soul of
Service” songwriting contest.
Now in its third year, the amateur songwriting
contest is a collaborative effort between the
Dallas Songwriter Association and the Defense
Department's America Supports You program, which
highlights corporate and grassroots support for
U.S. servicemembers and their families.
Judges select winners and runners-up in each of
18 categories, which include Afghanistan and
Iraq, country, hip-hop, inspirational,
instrumental and pop/rock. They then select
three of the category winners for grand prizes.
The top three songs for 2008 are:
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First Place: “Ask Me
To” by Air Force Capt. Steven Wilson, which
took top pop/rock honors
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Second Place: “If
Tomorrow Were a Dream” by Army National
Guard Spc. Greg Pritchard, which was the
contest's top country song
- Third Place: “I Can't
Wait to Love You” by Jill Charles, wife of
Army Staff Sgt. Robert Charles, the top song
in the inspirational category.
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Air Force Capt. Steven Wilson was among
hundreds of service members who submitted
original songs for the Dallas Songwriters
Association's “Songs From the Soul of Service”
amateur songwriting contest. Wilson submitted
three songs, and one, “Ask Me To,” was a
first-place entry in the pop/rock category and
went on to take the contest's grand prize. |
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“Every military conflict from the American
Revolution to the Civil War to the first Gulf War has
spawned music that reflected the moods, emotions and
sentiments of the nation's fighting men and women,” said
William Brown, Dallas Songwriter Association board member
and committee chairman for Songs From the Soul of Service.
“Songs From the Soul of Service serves to capture some of
this history,” he continued, “while providing recognition to
talented songwriters and diversion and entertainment to
participants and nonparticipants alike.”
Wilson, who earned the top grand prize, said his own life
provides his songwriting inspiration.
“Over the years, writing music has been so
autobiographical,” he said. “It's so honest and personal. I
think this contest truly personalizes the image of the
military. It shows civilians that as ‘the troops' we
represent so much more than uniforms and duty. This contest
gives us the chance to showcase what might otherwise remain
silent or be forgotten.”
The contest is open exclusively to amateur songwriters
currently serving in the U.S. military and those currently
inactive due to injury or disability suffered after the
start of the war in Afghanistan. Eligible participants may
submit songs on behalf of an immediate family member, a
fallen comrade or a fallen comrade's immediate family
member.
Brown said he thinks the contest is an excellent outlet for
service members.
“These songs provided respite, unit bonding and an
expressive outlet during trying times,” he explained. “In
some cases, these songs will transcend their times and
become permanent fixtures in the nation's patriotic
songbook.”
Wilson, along with the other winners of each category, will
be included on a compilation CD provided to radio and music
industry professionals, as well as to the contest
participants. The first-place grand prize includes a weekend
stay at the Gaylord Texan Hotel.
Public events to showcase the winning songs and songwriters
are in the planning stages. The events will culminate with a
concert at the end of the year, headlined by well-known
recording artists. | |
By Sharon Foster
Special to American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2008
Reprinted
from American
Forces Press Service / DoD
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