February 13, 2026 — Nashville, Tenn. — Non-profit SongwritingWith:Soldiers(SW:S) releases “The One They Call” today, February 13, ahead of Valentine’s Day as part of the organization’s mission-driven music program. The unconventional and powerful love song from Army Sergeant First Class (Retired) Matthew Chapman and his wife Debbi, was written with acclaimed singer/songwriter Radney Foster during a SongwritingWith:Soldiers retreat at Boulder Crest.
“The One They Call” is a heartfelt, true love story about choosing love, committing without conditions, and wanting to be the one there when everything is on the line. Music Row proclaims the track “stately and strong…two outstanding country singers emoting on a powerful lyric of lovers who marry so that if anything bad happens, ‘I want to be the one they call’.”
And it’s Matthew and Debbi’s love story…
Matthew, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, had asked Debbi to marry him…twice. And, as Matthew’s unit was about to be deployed after 9/11, she finally said yes. She knew she wanted and needed to be the one called if anything were to happen, so they wed at the courthouse in Fayetteville, NC before he left.
LISTEN TO THE SONG AND WATCH “THE ONE THEY CALL”
LYRIC VIDEO AND STORY BEHIND THE SONG NOW
“The One They Call,” performed by Radney Foster and Kelly Willis, releases February 13th and will also be included on an SW:S album of other, deeply personal songs from our veterans coming out later this year.
Nothing about this really looks right on paper
Nothing about us looks like anyone else
I know you asked me twice before and I said, “No”
Baby that was only…cause I was so scared
Meet me at the courthouse
You don’t have to wear a suit
Cause this world’s gone half crazy
And all I want is you
I know when you get on that plane
My heart’s gonna go insane
Baby wherever you’re going you risk it all
And if anything happens
I want to be the one they call
“I was so moved by the Chapmans’ story, and the love they share together when we wrote ‘The One They Call’ I asked Kelly Willis to sing it with me and it was such a joy to record with her,” shares Foster, who has been involved with SongwritingWith:Soldiers since its 2012 inception. “The song hit home for Kelly because her father was an Army officer and she understands the sacrifices that military families make.”
“Going into SongwritingWith:Soldiers we had no idea what to expect,” share the Chapmans. “Radney sat with us as we told him our story. We never imagined that brief conversation would lead to this. We are humbled, but so excited to share our story, and thankful to Radney for writing such an amazing song. Even after so many years, those feelings put to paper still bring us to tears. Thank you, Radney and Kelly, for this amazing song.”
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 7,000 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 seven 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,” “Strumming Hand,”
and “The One They Call”
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