Song I wrote and recorded at Sun Studios in December. We are doing a slide-show video for YOUTUBE and shoud be up soon. It's titled "The Ryman Veterans" and is about all the "greatest" country singers who served in the military. I sent it to George Jones, Kristofferson, Ronnie Robbins (Marty's son) Jim Ed Brown, Joni Twitty, Mary Miller (Roger's daughter), Mel Tillis and they all gave me the thumbs up.
I'll let you know when it is up and running.

THE RYMAN VETERANS

I woke up to mortar rounds, rockets fire and bombs
Locked and loaded MREs, countin' the days till I go home
I turned on my radio and heard the Possum wailin'
Thought about them singers, that knew what I was feeling

See ole George was a Jarhead and Johnny and Willie wore blue
Marty sailed the seven seas and Ranger Kris he flew
They all fought for freedom before we knew their songs
And Jim Ed still sings "Pop a Top"
And Conway and the King are gone.

Both Charlie's wore the uniform, both were Rich with Pride
And Jerry Reed picked for the boys, overseas and here state side
Bobby Bare served his country, he loves the red, white, and blue
Roger Miller, George Strait, and M,M, Mel Tillis did too

See ole George was a Jarhead, and Johnny and Willie wore blue
Marty sailed the seven seas and Ranger Kris he flew
They all fought for freedom, before we knew their songs
And Jim Ed still sings "Pop a Top"
And Faron Young is gone

Now I turn on the radio, and theres a different air
Songs I loved back yesterday, these just can't compare
Some just wait now for a war, to put us all at ease
Forgotten are my brothers, it's the recent opportunities
Someday, maybe they'll understand just what we're fighting for
We were slapped that September day and today we'll settle the score

See ole George was a Jarhead, and Johnny and Willie wore blue
Marty sailed the seven seas, and Ranger Kris he flew
They all fought for freedom before we knew there songs
And Jim Ed still sings "Pop a Top"
And Conway and the King are gone.

Started writing the song while in Iraq, shortly after John died. I did a lot of research on who served in the military. Sorry if I left anyone out and I didn't include newer singers like: Craig Morgan, Josh Gracin, or Bobby Pinson. I gained the inspiration for the song after reading an article where Rodney Crowell said: "These patriotic songs are nice but where were these songs before the war? A lot of these artists are opportunists, gathering personal, marketing opportunities from the war." Crowell added that his ex-father in law and Merle Haggard and Charlie Daniels have always sang songs in respect for those in uniform.

sounds kewl to me;can you send a link of it to my gmail addy please??would love to see it!!
Best Wishes>>>JIM

Those are amazing lyrics, Eric - so powerful that they make my mind and heart imagine that the music is there just in reading them! I will definitely love hearing you sing it and see the slide show/video that goes with it, and I hope someday it will can be aired on television. Your inspiration is inspiring to us, and I'm glad to see you're using your songwriting gift in such a great way. So many just throw something together that sounds good or will get attention. You have something to say, and that makes all the difference in the world, my friend. God bless you, and thank you for serving in the armed forces of our country!

Luke "Swamp Rat" Wilson

Eric, I, too, look forward to seeing and hearing this on YouTube.. It is very inspirational.. Makes you sit up and think and pray...

When will it be on youtube, I'm looking forward to hearing it.

I like the song and I like the sentiments of the song. Look forward to hearing it!

Paul