by SWS | Nov 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
I was honored to perform at the Opry At The Ryman on November 28th, which just so happened to be the Grand Ole Opry’s 90th birthday. I brought some friends with me. Iraqi war combat veteran Josh Geartz (who co-wrote the song we played) and singer-songwriter James...
by SWS | Apr 23, 2015 | Uncategorized
We were honored to have writer Niva Dorell Smith join us at our November 2014 retreat. She took time to listen, learn, watch, and absorb much of what was happening throughout the weekend and captured it beautifully in her article for Narratively. Read it here:...
by SWS | Apr 15, 2015 | Uncategorized
For the past few years, my father, photographer Michael O’Brien, has volunteered his time to take portraits at various SongwritingWith:Soldiers (SW:S) events. This year, he invited my mother and me to join him at the February 13 – 15 retreat at the Cedarbrake...
by Mary Judd, Co-founder and Board Member | Jan 11, 2015 | Uncategorized
I write this piece in honor of Ana Rouse-Chatman and Adan Olid, two Veterans who wrote songs with us at the November 2014 retreat in New York, and who recently passed away. Our hearts go out to their families. The songs written by Ana and Adan live on as beautiful...
by SWS | Dec 30, 2014 | Uncategorized
Sometimes life makes no sense. We have learned of the passing of Adan Olid who attended our retreat in November. He had been ill last week. His family told us he died from natural causes. We are deeply saddened at the loss of such a wonderful man. We do know that he...
by SWS | Dec 5, 2014 | Uncategorized
I have been affiliated with SongwritingWith:Soldiers for about 2 years now and have had the opportunity to be present both on the participant side and volunteer side. Believe it or not, both instances have provided and continue to provide a sense of healing...
