COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – Austin based singer-songwriter and recording artist Darden Smith helped to give wounded warriors a voice with the Soldier Songwriting Project in July. Now, songs written during the three-day retreat will be performed at the Faces of Freedom concert at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 4 p.m.
“I’ve had this idea for some time,” says Smith. “To bring professional writers together with soldiers to help turn their stories into songs. This project was the first time we tried it at this level, and hopefully we’ll be doing more.”
The retreat, which was July 28-Aug. 1 in Edwards, Colo., aimed to help soldiers see validity and merit in telling their stories, and to inspire them to continue through songwriting. Ten servicemen and women participated in the retreat, ranging from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force.
Smith, along with songwriters Radney Foster and Jay Clementi who joined him on the retreat, later recorded six of the songs in Nashville. The songs, which include “God Challenged Me” and “Hell On My Heart” among others, will be available on iTunes in time for the Faces of Freedom concert, where Smith, Foster and Clementi will be performing the songs.
“Over the course of that weekend retreat, collaboration happened in all sorts of combinations,” says Smith. “I even wrote a song with the wives of two of the soldiers.”
The concert is sponsored by LifeQuest Transitions, a non-profit offering transition programs to soldiers and families.
Visit and listen: www.be-an-artist.com and www.dardensmith.com
More about Darden Smith
Darden Smith is from central Texas. Throughout his 25-year career, he has released a dozen critically acclaimed albums that have achieved broad appeal in both the American and British music scenes. Praised by All Music Guide and Rolling Stone, his songs have climbed the charts in pop, country and rock genres. Hit singles include “Little Maggie” [1988-Darden Smith], “Midnight Train” [1990-Trouble No More], “Loving Arms” [1993-Little Victories] and “After All This Time” [2002-Sunflower]. Weaving together interests in music, education and community involvement, Smith promotes creativity through the art of songwriting through his “Be An Artist Program.” Expanding from a series of student workshops, he has adapted the program to be used for conflict resolution and cultural bonding, working with managers on corporate retreats, entrepreneurs at business schools, and U.S. combat soldiers. Smith continues to record under his own record label, Darden Music, his latest releases including After All This Time: The Best of Darden Smith (2009) and Marathon (2010). His latest collaboration with photographer Kate Breakey pairs the Marathon lyrics with stunning photographs in a 32-page, special edition book, now available for pre-order.
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