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WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 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."
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."
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 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.
"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.
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