Soldiers' Angels

Franki never expected she would become a singer.  However, she was hooked when she wrote her first song.  "I knew through thick and thin, I had found my purpose," she writes.  In 2004 Franki was named “Female Singer/Songwriter of the Year” at the L.A. Music Awards, and her song Shadow was “Adult Contemporary Single of the Year” in 2005.  Besides writing songs and performing live, she has also composed for TV and film. 

The best thing about Franki is her support for the troops who keep America safe so that she can pursue her love of music.  For Mother's Day this year, with the help of family and friends, she donated 2200 of her Momma CDs to Soldiers' Angels for deployed mothers.  She is also working with Soldiers' Angels to make another large CD donation for the winter holidays.  For more about this wonderful artist, check out her website!

The Radiators have had a long and successful history in their home of New Orleans and in nationwide tours, but they are a rarity in today’s word—a band with its original members still rocking together after thirty years.  As they released a 2-CD compilation of hits from every phase of their long career, they were looking to share their music with American servicemembers deployed overseas. To that end they donated 2,800 copies of their latest CD, Dreaming Out Loud and their previous release to Soldiers’ Angels for inclusion in care packages.  For more information see their website!

Tim Janis is a highly-respected American composer with ten chart-topping CDs and over one million albums sold, and a history of helping charitable causes.  Tim’s latest song is a tribute to America and the men and women who keep her safe. Sung by Grammy Award winner Lisa Fischer, it is now a gorgeous video dedicated to America’s military and veterans.  The song will be featured on a Public Television special to be recorded this fall (it will be broadcast in select cities in 2009, then nationwide in 2010).

Tim’s military connections go far beyond his military friends and family, with a number of tours with the USO and regular visits to the wounded. And now he is donating at least 480 CDs to Soldiers' Angels for care packages.  For more information, see Tim’s website!

The legendary Kenny Gamble is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, the father of the "Philadelphia Sound," and a multiple Grammy-winning producer and songwriter.  He was inspired to produce a song to raise the morale and consciousness of people at this crucial time in our nation's history. Called "I Am An American," it features the one and only Patti LaBelle, along with the Temple University Orchestra and Choir.  You can learn more about it on Kenny Gamble's website at www.gamble-huffmusic.com.

Chad Harvey is a true American original: born in Evansville, Indiana and raised in nearby Lynnville, just down the highway from Indiana’s most famous musical export, John Mellencamp, an artist to whom Harvey is often compared. 

Most importantly, Harvey sticks to his country roots by being a strong supporter of the America's military men and women.  For each copy of his new Get Lit purchased through Indie 500 Records (beginning June 17), Harvey will donate a copy to Soldiers' Angels for the troops!  Thanks to Chad Harvey and his fans, deployed American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines far from home will get a bit of America in the mail. For more info, check out ChadHarvey.com.

Samantha Allen  has a lifetime of experience supporting the military—not only as a musician, but as a military spouse and a former soldier herself.  But it was the underground hit "Oceans Between Us" that catapulted Samantha to fame among military families.  When Samantha tried to record the song, her husband was deployed to Iraq and it took her three weeks before she could get through a performance without breaking down. 

Combining country and blues with honesty and humor, Samantha sings with fiery spirit, a rich voice, and a superb band backing her up in this latest CD.  In keeping with her lifetime support for the military, Samantha donates a free CD to deployed service members for each download of "Oceans Between Us" from her website.  Check out her new CD, and don’t miss “Oceans Between Us!”

Singer-songwriter Kevin Elliot grew up in Appalachia, East Kentucky and is devoted to his craft but without pretense or arrogance.  "Whether you're an accountant, musician, businessman or trash collector, as long as you're happy, that's what counts," he says.

Kevin's experiences of overcoming drug addiction, the loss of a beloved relative, and reaching for his dreams after having temporarily lost his way should resonate with anyone who has struggled or faced difficult odds.  Summing up his new CD's underlying theme of “growth and change,” Elliot songs admit that you can only be put back together so many times without showing wounds and marks.  In the cut “Cloudy Life,” he calls them “Experience Scars.”  Check out his website and MySpace page! 

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Heather Wilkins has recorded a song for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund.  "Letters From War" is an incredible story of a soldier who goes to war and corresponds with his mother until he is taken prisoner. His mother continues to write to him for two years until one day he pulls up in her driveway "holding all of her Letters From War." Proceeds from the sale of the song will go to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund.

This song will only be available for download to keep the costs to a minimum and maximize the amount that can be raised for Freedom Alliance.  Visit www.heatherwilkins.net to listen to "Letters From War."

Aaron Letrick was born in Los Angeles and raised in Detroit, just like his father, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran. He is the former lead singer of the rock bands Pleezer and House of Usher, and was named among the "Top 20 Male Vocalists of the 90's" by Professor magazine.  He has worked on stage, film and television, and played to many thousands live by supporting the great bands of the 80's, 90's and into the Millenium.  He has also done many national TV and radio commercials and countless Voice-over spots.  His love of the USA and reverence for the Heroes of the US Military inspired the song Hero's Deed. "I have the ability to do what I do because of what they do. God bless them all."

You can hear Aaron Letrick's song in tribute to the military, "Hero's Deed" by clicking here.

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Kathy Dolan and Vic Caracciola, both long-time singer-songwriters and performers, have now teamed up recently.  Their song & stills video Angel By My Side, dedicated to the United States Armed Forces, is receiving accolades from military and non-military listeners alike. The song was written for a dear friend, Kieran McGann, who has served in Iraq and lost two friends with whom he served. By bringing home a message that "Freedom isn't Free", Angel By My Side brings to light the personal sacrifices our Armed Forces and their families endure with each deployment. Watch the video on YouTube or on Sharkle! You can visit Kathy's websites here and here.

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Ricky Lee has been a true friend to our heroes and to Soldiers' Angels for a couple of years now.  A talented young musician, Ricky dedicates his music to the brave men and women of the US Armed Forces.  We are proud to feature Ricky, and invite you to listen to his great song, "She's an American Soldier." Click to listen.  Check out his website, too!

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Young flutist Rebekah Chesnes is donating profits from her debut CD to Soldiers' Angels.  The 9-track album, Introducing Rebekah Chesnes, consists of classical flute repertoire played by Rebekah and piano accompaniment played by legendary Chicago Symphony pianist Melody Lord.  The works featured on the album are by such composers as Bach, Mozart, Faure, Chaminade, and Bizet. Visit www.Cdbaby.com to support Soldiers’ Angels by purchasing a copy of Introducing!  For more information, please visit her website.

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Angela Lashley, Nashville songwriter and mother of an American soldier who served in Iraq, co-wrote and recorded the song "So Brave" while her son was deployed.  For a time it was sold in the Soldiers' Angels store with profits going to Soldiers' Angels.  "So Brave" has since become an anthem for mother of deployed troops, and is now available at cdbaby.com.

Soldiers' Angels and Singer-Songwriter Shawn Hlookoff have produced a moving music video and song dedicated to honoring the men and women of our Armed Forces in a respectful manner. The artist and Soldiers' Angels are donating this DVD and song for free (download) to every school, organization and service member in the country for use as a Memorial Day tribute and learning tool. Entitled "Soldier", the video and song is a tribute to our military personnel and highlights the sacrifices our service members and their families willingly make. The song and video squarely tackle the personal issues that Armed Forces members and their families face each and every day. Download the song here!

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Hoboken native and businessman Charles Lallo has been writing songs for decades.

Most of his songs involve musical concepts with some environmental or spiritual core, and some deal with the concept of the safety of home. In this case, the song called "Home America" seemed to sum up some of his feelings about his home country.  Click for more.  Listen to "Home America" online!

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Mathew Modine joined up with Soldier Ride in 2006, completing the final leg of their cross-country bicycle trip.  At the finale party for Soldier Ride, he signed copies of his book about the making of Full Metal Jacket for $100 each, and donated all proceeds to Soldiers' Angels. 

Patti says,  "We cannot thank you enough Matthew for all you do!!!"

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Jillian Russell wrote "To Dad With Love" while her dad was deployed in Iraq and sent it to him for fathers day in 2003. The song became an instant hit and received national attention.  Sgt. Russell was seriously wounded in Iraq and spent 6 months in Walter Reed Hospital.  Because of her father's sacrifice and service, and her deep affection for our troops, Jillian donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her CD to Soldiers' Angels to be used to assist wounded soldiers and their families. 

Please visit Miss Russell's website and thank her for her generous donation and support of our soldiers and their families.

There are no words that can express our deep appreciation for Toby Keith. When a soldier needed him he was there. Thank you, from our hearts!!

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Marino DeSilva founded Angels on Earth to coordinate musicians who want to use their musical skills to support charitable organizations in the work of comforting or healing.  Under DeSilva's leadership, Angels on Earth has put together a new CD with a selection of patriotic songs performed by famous artists, Angels Across America.  The proceeds from sales of the CD go to Soldiers' Angels and other "troop support" organizations.  As DeSilva says,   "This is obviously no political statement, whether people agree or disagree, our men and women are over there and they're sacrificing everything for freedom."  You can hear selections from the CD at AngelsAcrossAmerica.com.

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Travis Tritt doesn't just sing for the troops, he puts his money where his mouth is!  At a concert for St. Charles, Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, he donated $15,000 dollars to Soldiers' Angels to assist Louisiana National Guard troops affected by the hurricane.  Thank you Travis Tritt for your support of our troops!  

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John Schmidt is serious about supporting our men and women in uniform.  He has created a three-song CD of support and encouragement, called This is America, Our Heart and Soul, and he's shipping it free to our deployed heroes.  You can hear John's songs at iSound and on his professional website (where you can also make a donation to help him send the CD's to the troops for free).

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Kathie Lee Gifford supports the troops!  We are so very grateful to Kathie Lee for making Soldiers' Angels her Charity of the Month!

The Lavens are a family band playing a mixture of original materials and classic covers. Nico (age 21) and Rachel (age 15) have written 28 songs combined. Aside from being extremely talented, this family supports the brave men and women who serve our nation so valiantly, and so it is our pleasure to add them to our favorite Featured Artists! We thank the Lavens for all they do to entertain our heroes and let them know they care. Visit their website for more!

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Thank you to all of the organizers and performers at iPOP for their support of Soldiers' Angels!  Soldiers' Angels supports the troops serving overseas, and iPOP supports Soldiers' Angels.