Written By Veteran John Cameron III and Maia Sharp
Available November 7 as Part of the Non-Profit’s New Music Program
Nashville, Tenn. — Non-profit Songwriting:With:Soldiers (SW:S) releases “Strumming Hand” today, November 7, ahead of Veterans Day as part of the organization’s mission-driven music program. It was written in 2017 at a SW:S retreat in New York by Marine veteran John Cameron III and singer-songwriter Maia Sharp and is performed by Sharp on the recording. The song is accompanied by a lyric video and moving story behind the song clip, also out now. “Strumming Hand” is a poignant and positive perspective focusing on gratitude—rather than what’s lost—becoming an act of courage, reminding us that the human spirit can find a way to say “it’s okay.”
“1 o’clock in the morning
Darker than the dark side of the moon
I didn’t know where we were going
But we couldn’t get there too soon
On the tip of the spear, the guardians of the night
Oh we couldn’t see it coming, ghost round in flight”
LISTEN TO THE SONG AND WATCH “STRUMMING HAND”
LYRIC VIDEO AND STORY BEHIND THE SONG NOW
“The experience with SW:S was a warm hug, as if a sun’s ray shone through the cold dark storm to catch your skin gently and immediately heating the flesh,” shares Cameron. “I was on a hike recently in the Adirondacks with a friend and his daughter. The cold breeze was blowing under the canopy of trees as we ascended. The sun’s rays would catch your skin once in a while and you could immediately feel the warmth. That’s what it reminded me of. The immediate kindness and light that was brought to a tragedy.”
“’Strumming Hand’ ties together two of John Cameron’s powerful stories,” shares Sharp. “One is about a dark night when his ship was hit with a ‘ghost round’ and the deadly blast that almost took his arm. The other is how he helped his own recovery, optimism and acceptance by learning to play his favorite songs on guitar. John had a calm, peaceful smile on his face from the moment we met and that glimmer of levity turned out to be the way to get these seemingly separate stories to play well together as one song.”
Be sure to check out The Country Note’s Instagram on Veterans Day, 11/11, as Maia Sharp takes it over and shares information about SongwritingWith:Soldiers and the organization’s important work.
If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you – Dial 988 then Press 1 or Text 838255.
SongwritingWith:Soldiers’ (SW:S) mission is to transform lives by using collaborative songwriting to build creativity, connections, and strengths. SW:S holds weekend retreats across the U.S. for veterans and their families from all conflicts. Since 2012, SW:S has connected with more than 6,000 veterans and military families, creating a safe and inspiring environment to share their experiences and co-create songs grounded in lived experience with professional songwriters.
For veterans to be understood, they need to be heard. It starts with providing a carefully crafted experience so they can connect to themselves and others, and where songwriters can help shape their story into song. Once the song is created, SW:S provides ways for it to be heard beyond the writing session by veterans and non-veterans alike.
SongwritingWith:Soldiers believes they are not just creating songs, but a deeper understanding of the veteran experience. SW:S’s new music program, made possible by the generosity of The Johnson Family Fund, will thoughtfully select and produce music from the retreat field recording catalog to release on major streaming platforms, creating a deeper understanding of the veteran experience and raising civilian awareness of the challenges the military community faces. The first six compelling tracks are available NOW on all streaming platforms.
Listen Now: “The Man You Used To Know,” “At Ease,”
“When You Look At Me,” “Let Go Of The Pain,” “Hey Brother,” and “Strumming Hand”
Watch Now: “The Man You Used To Know” lyric video and story-behind-the-song
Watch Now: “At Ease” lyric video and story-behind-the-song
Watch Now: “When You Look At Me” lyric video and story-behind-the-song
Watch Now: “Let Go Of The Pain” lyric video and story-behind-the-song
Watch Now: “Hey Brother” lyric video and story-behind-the-song
Watch Now: “Strumming Hand” lyric video and story-behind-the-song