|
Around Father's Day this year, I started working on a song to honor my Dad who passed away in 2004. I tackled the project at my usual pace which some describe as manic….but nothing seemed to fall into place.
After starting several pieces, (still unfinished), I put down my pen and paper and went to bed. That's when the "ghost", paid me a visit. I got up, started writing and the song came to me very close to 'complete'. The next morning I did some fine tuning and added a tune and well….the rest is history.
You see, my Dad is from the mountains of Tennessee and until the day he died, he proudly flew his Confederate Flag on the family property in Florida and at the many Bluegrass Festivals he promoted through out the years. He wore a baseball cap with a Rebel Flag and furiously defended the flag and his right to display it. He was also a history buff when it came to the subject of the Civil War.
Since the beginning of this project, the response has been over- whelming. We have hundreds of orders for the song and it isn't even out of the studio yet. This is only the 'pre-master' cut for the A&R man at the record company.
Many thanks go out to those who have helped inspire and support me on this project. Some of whom aren't even aware of the part they played. Those being a local Deputy Sheriff and our local Mayor who have both been viciously attacked for defending the flags historical value and meaning, and the Mayor for simply being photographed in front of a cannon at a Confederate reenactment that flew the 'Battle Flag' in the background.
I particularly want to thank the United Confederate Veterans and the Sons of Confederate Veterans for their kind words, their pats on the back and their historical input. They have been invaluable!
Below are representations of the various flags, as they transitioned from the original Stars and Bars to what most people call the Stars and Bars today.
But, above all...I speak for all true Southerners when I say. This is our flag! We are proud of her! And don't make her into something she was never meant to be.
|
|
