» SongwritingWith:Soldiers IN Concert

Celebrate award-winning singer/songwriters, veterans and active service members as they come together for a powerful night of music during “Songwriting With Soldiers,” a PBS special performed and taped at Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium.

The 1-hour prime time television special, “Songwriting With Soldiers,” premiered nationally on PBS on Friday, October 25, 2019 at 10PM EST / 9PM CST.

Featured award-winning and chart-topping songwriters include Bonnie Bishop, Gary Burr, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Jay Clementi, Radney Foster, Mary Gauthier, James House, Will Kimbrough, Georgia Middleman, Gary Nicholson, Maia Sharp, and Darden Smith.

Facing reentry into civilian life, many service members struggle with the aftermath of war: ambush, rocket fire, and friends lost. SongwritingWith:Soldiers uses strong songwriting as a catalyst for positive change in weekend retreats across the country, pairing service members with professional songwriters to craft songs about their experiences, often about combat and the return home.

The creative songwriting process is life-changing for participants as it offers a unique outlet to tell their stories, rebuild trust, release pain and forge new bonds. These collaborative works of war, reflection and redemption are transformative and demanding.

“This performance shines a light on two important things – the power of music to help us connect, and the need to listen to today’s veterans and military families. These are the war stories of our times, and they have much to teach us,” said SongwritingWith:Soldiers co-founder Mary Judd.

This collaboration of SongwritingWith:Soldiers, PBS, and WCTE Upper Cumberland PBS is produced by Todd Jarrell Productions and funded by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting with additional underwriting from Sweetwater Music Instruments & Pro Audio. We also send a special thank you to our friends at American Airlines for providing American Airlines AAdvantage® miles for veterans to travel to attend the show and see their songs and stories shared with so many.

A Todd Jarrell Production

“Lion of Fallujah” performed by Bonnie Bishop

“Somebody Else’s War” performed by Beth Nielson Chapman

“My Journey” performed by Gary Nicholson

“Pillar Of Peace” performed by Will Kimbrough

“Bullet Holes In The Sky” performed by Mary Gauthier

“No Me Preguntes” performed by Radney Foster

“This Time I’m Not Alone” performed by Jay Clementi

“Human Again” performed by Darden Smith

“Letting Go” performed by Maia Sharp

“Confusion” performed by Darden Smith

SongwritingWith:Soldiers
632 Fogg Street, #8
Nashville, TN 37203

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© 2023 SongwritingWith:Soldiers, Inc,, a nonprofit, 501c (3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible. Tax ID # is 26-1626709.

SongwritingWith:Soldiers transforms lives by using collaborative songwriting to expand creativity, connections and strengths.

If you or a veteran you know is in need of other assistance beyond the programs of SW:S, please call the confidential Veteran's Crisis Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK or dial 911. If you are in need of immediate help or if this is an emergency, please go to your nearest emergency room or dial 911.