NASHVILLE, Tenn. – “Man of Steel,” new country song and music video by singer/songwriter Grant Maloy Smith, will have its nationwide television premiere on The Heartland Network on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11, and on Monday, November 12.
The ballad, about a soldier who dreams of still serving his country despite being severely injured in combat, was inspired by a chance encounter that Smith had with a wounded warrior at an airport.
“This young man had one of those space-age prosthetic legs,” Smith said. “We started talking and I was struck by his positive spirit. He was a farm boy from Indiana. He told me he was going to be the first male in his family to be able to go to college because he served his country. A few days later this song—his story—just came out of me.”
Smith is known for his 2017 Billboard top 10-charting album “Dust Bowl – American Stories,” which featured another patriotic song, “I Come From America.” He plans to release “Man of Steel” to radio after the first of the year, but it has already been adopted as the official theme song of the National Veterans Foundation (NVF), a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of services for veterans throughout the United States.
“It’s an amazing song that speaks to the core resilience of our men and women in uniform,” said Floyd “Shad” Meshad, LCSW, CTS, TFTdx, founder and president of the NVF. “The National Veterans Foundation works with all veterans and their family members, regardless of the issues they’re dealing with, to help them find solutions, and successfully re-integrate to civilian life.”
See “Man of Steel” here: https://youtu.be/FQ2zalp_ABU
The National Veterans Foundation was founded to help veterans cope with psychological and emotional problems resulting from their experiences in combat, including what would later become known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Now in its 33rd year, NVF has assisted more than 400,000 veterans in need of medical treatment, substance abuse or psychological counseling, VA benefits, food, shelter, job training, legal aid or suicide intervention.
“The soldier’s life doesn’t end after being wounded or after experiencing war,” Meshad said. “Coming home is a new beginning. ‘Man of Steel’ is relevant to our work because healing and finding a place in civilian society is part of all of our veterans’ paths.”
Grant Maloy Smith isn’t the first music artist to work with the National Veterans Foundation. The late George Jones recorded “Wild Irish Rose” in 1978, to raise awareness of the plight of homeless veterans. Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, the Doobie Brothers and others have also performed on behalf of the organization.
“I am honored that the NVF wanted to use my song, and that The Heartland Network plans to add it to their play list, ” Smith said. “The scars of war aren’t just physical. Adjustment after combat, especially for those who have suffered traumatic physical injury, is not easy. Organizations like the NVF are here to support our returning soldiers. My song is a tribute to all of the men and women who dare to do the hard thing, so that the rest of us can live in freedom.”
The Heartland Network airs in more than 40 markets nationwide, and features a variety of country music programs and music videos. For more information, see www.watchheartlandtv.com.
“Man of Steel” can be seen at www.NVF.org and is available for download through iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and other digital outlets. More information is available at www.grant-maloy-smith.com.
Veterans in need of assistance are invited to call the National Veterans Foundation, toll-free at 888-777-4443.