Honoring those who have served our nation.
On Veterans Day, we must all take a moment to think about how fortunate we are to have others fight for our freedoms. The servicemen and servicewomen who serve for the United States are true heroes and deserve to be recognized today – and every other day. I’d personally like to start this blog by thanking all the service men and women who have given their lives to keep us safe here at home. We’ll never forget the sacrifices you’ve all made and owe you a debt we can never repay.
Country music has always had a strong tie to the branches of service in the military, with many country music stars having served. From George Strait, Jamey Johnson, and Zach Bryan to John Prine, Johnny Cash, and Sturgill Simpson, the list of country artists who have served our nation is long.
Today, many country artists are also sharing music and special performances that celebrate our nation and honor those who have laid down their lives to keep the United States of America free.
Muscadine Bloodline released a new tune, titled “Peter From Picayune,” Cody Johnson released a stunning performance of his cover of “Travelin’ Soldier,” and Lynyrd Skynyrd is sharing a live performance of “Red White and Blue” featuring Donnie Van Zant.
“Red White and Blue” was written by Johnny and Donnie Van Zant, along with Brad and Brett Warren, shortly after the September 11th attacks in 2001. The tune appeared on their 2003 album Vicious Cycle. It reached number 27 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, with the lyrics serving as a tribute to our military, reflecting on the patriotism and service that define the nation.
After the song was released, Johnny Van Zant discussed the tune in a track-by-track commentary to promote the band’s 2010 CD/DVD Live From Freedom Hall:
“We’re big supporters of our troops and we’ve always felt that’s a Skynyrd crowd; we always go back to our fans, we write about our fans and we love our fans. We’ve been blessed to have fans with us for years and years and years for multi-generations now, and we’re supporters of our troops and our families. That song is basically written about our fans.”
The stunning live performance of “Red White and Blue,” released today, Veterans Day, at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, appears on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s recently released record, Celebrating 50 Years – Live At The Ryman.
“This goes out to all of you. God bless you.”
Johnny Van Zant says to the crowd in the Mother Church before diving into the song, with Donnie Van Zant joining him on stage for the special performance.
The two men sound amazing as they sing the tune, highlighting the hard-working men and women who make our nation go round.
“Guess you could say
We’ve always been red, white and blue
Yeah, that’s right
My daddy worked hard and so have I
We paid our taxes and gave our lives to serve this great country
So what are they complaining about?
Yeah, we love our families, we love our kids
You know it’s love that makes us all so rich”
A stunning performance celebrating our great nation. Today, and every day, we thank all of the men and women who have fought, and continue to fight for, the incredible freedoms we enjoy every day in our country.
Check it out:
