NASHVILLE, TN – Nashville-based nonprofit CreatiVets and Big Machine Label Group‘s campaign to release a new veteran-written track on the 20th of every month — paying tribute to the 20 veterans and active-duty members that commit suicide every single day — caps off the year with the release of “I’m With You” — available today (12/20) across all major streaming platforms.
Written by Purple Heart veteran Adam Mitchell and his mentor Greg Pihs alongside songwriters Brian Davis and Joel Shewmake, the tune is the product of CreatiVets’ lauded songwriting program, which pairs combat veterans with songwriters in Nashville to help them learn to use music as a form of therapy – and for Mitchell, finding the program was fate. Since sustaining several injuries to the head and neck while serving overseas in 2005, he has struggled with communication, memory and balance and continues to navigate the difficulties around post-traumatic stress.
“I found CreatiVets on accident, while looking for a veteran-based music learning program,” Mitchell shares. “I’ve always loved playing along to other people’s songs, but I never thought of writing my own, for fear of being vulnerable.”
Going into the program, he already knew he wanted to write a song about the most important thing in his life — his children. As a result, “I’m With You” became a touching message, not only to his little ones, but also to the thousands of other military families who eagerly await the return of their loved ones — singing, “Even when we’re worlds apart / I’m with you.”
The time he spent in the program was life-changing for Mitchell, who adds, “Since my experience with CreatiVets, I have gotten over the fear of showing who I am.”
Founded in 2013, CreatiVets has helped more than 1,000 combat veterans — with more than 500 veterans participating in its songwriting programs to date. Serving as a connector for opportunities that magnify CreatiVets within the entertainment space, Big Machine Label Group continues to contribute to CreatiVets’ operational initiatives through Scott and Sandi Borchetta‘s Music Has Value Fund and through Big Machine Music, which serves as the co-publisher for CreatiVets.
To learn more about CreatiVets, please visit creativets.org.