It’s Giving Month! This week on Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart talks with Bob Regan, Hall of Fame songwriter and founder of Operation Song. Operation Song is a non-profit whose mission is to empower veterans, active-duty military, and their families to tell their stories through the process of songwriting. Tune in to this episode to learn more about Bob, the work he is doing through Operation Song and how you can support this charity.
Meet Bob Regan with Operation Song
Bob Regan is a Grammy, Dove, and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame nominated American country music songwriter. His chart credits include "Busy Man" by Billy Ray Cyrus, "Your Everything" by Keith Urban, "Soon" by Tanya Tucker, "Thinkin' About You" by Trisha Yearwood, "Running Out of Reasons to Run" by Rick Trevino, "'Til Love Comes Again" by Reba McIntire, "We've Got It Made" by Lee Greenwood, "Something About a Woman" by Jake Owen and many others. His songs have been recorded by artists ranging from Andy Williams to Hank Williams Jr., from Kenny Rogers to cowboy hero Roy Rogers. Regan was a three-term President of the Board and legislative chair of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. In that role in 2006, he helped pass the Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act. Regan also taught as an adjunct professor at Belmont University in the inaugural year of their songwriting program. In 2012, after performing on several Armed Forces Entertainment tours at military bases around the world, Regan founded Operation Song™, a program which brings professional songwriters together with veterans and active-duty military to help them tell their stories through songs. As of 2018, there have been over 650 songs written in the program with veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. The songs have been performed on the National Mall in Washington DC on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and on radio and television programs worldwide.
Operation Song™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Nashville, Tennessee. Our mission is to empower veterans, active-duty military, and their families to tell their stories through the process of songwriting.
Operation SongTM songwriting programs create an opportunity to transform service-related issues, injuries and illnesses into a structured, musical outlet as an enhancement of traditional therapies and/or treatments.
Since 2012, we have written over 600 songs with veterans of WWII to those currently serving. We hold weekly workshops in Middle Tennessee and sponsor events and group retreats throughout the U.S. Those we serve need no musical background, only the desire to tell their story.
What Bart has to say: This month we wanted to focus on two of our favorite organizations to give back to. I’ve seen first hand the good that Bob Regan and his organization, Operation Song has done to help soldiers work through PTSD. The military holds a special place in our hearts and giving back in this way is just a tiny thanks for a huge debt we have for their sacrifices.
In this episode, you’ll hear
Bart & Bob’s playing USO Tours
Why a Cali Hippie started Operation Song
The mission and impact behind Operation Song
Listen to the songs that have been created through Operation Song here >> https://www.youtube.com/c/OperationSong
DONATE HERE >> http://www.operationsong.org/donate/
Links to Connect:
Connect with Operation Song
Connect with Bart Allmand