To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the release of this song, and to further show our support for the men and women who serve this country so valiantly, all net proceeds collected from the digital sale of this song will go to the USO.
If you need further information, please write to me: originaljoj@gmail.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
Joanne Perry
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Visiting Fort Drum on Veteran's Day
I've been in contact with the USO people at Fort Drum, New York, in order to let them know that I pledge to donate 1/2 of net proceeds from digital downloads of "One Moon Away" to them. They are very happy to hear that, and invited me to perform the song for the Veterans' Day luncheon they had planned for Wednesday, November 11. I was pleased to be asked and promised to be there.
So this past Wednesday, November 11, I drove up 81 North to Fort Drum, New York and found my way to the USO. The USO (United Service Organization) is a privately funded, charitable organization which provides support services and entertainment to our men and women in all branches of the armed services. The center which was just built a year ago, had a comfortable atmosphere with beautiful furniture (all donated), state-of-the-art XBox stations and WiFi service, a 20-seat movie theater, computer lab, snack kitchen area, pool tables, foos ball, and big screen tv. Please also note that there is a recording studio for a program called "United Through Reading", where soldiers can record themselves reading a book for their children and a dvd is made--all free of charge. Really cool. Innovative and practical.
After a tour of the facilities and a visit to both the gift shop next door (where I purchased a refrigerator magnet that reads "When words fail, music speaks"), and the 10th Mountain Division history museum, I returned to the lounge to prepare to play my song. This was a laid-back event. I was pretty relaxed.
My young hostess, M., whose husband recently returned from one deployment and will leave within a year for another, spoke with me for a few minutes. She said between deployments "every minute together counts." I wondered what she would think of my song. It's one thing to imagine being in someone else's place; it's another to try and speak for that person through art. Risky. My palms began to sweat.
M. gathered the people present around the fireplace in the lounge to hear me perform the song. It wasn't a mob, but all eyes were on me and it was intimidating. I made a joke about their average age, that I hoped they liked it okay but it wasn't going to be rap.I explained the story of how and why I wrote the song. I told them what an honor and a privilege it was to be there with them on this day and thanked them for their service to our country.
Now they were really paying attention. You could hear a pin drop. I played through it okay. Everyone applauded enthusiastically. Then I gave out copies of the recording to anyone who wanted one. They were almost all men, and wanted the cd for their wives, girlfriends, etc. People thanked me. A small group gathered and wanted to know what was my connection to the military? Did I have a husband deployed? A son or daughter? Where could they hear me play more music? I answered their questions and then went back to get my jacket, etc. I was invited to stay for lunch so I did, and visited with some of the folks who were there. I got up to pack up my gear and thank the staff. Some more soldiers came by and shook my hand and thanked me, saying how much they appreciated it.
Then I saw M., and she was weeping, holding her copy of the cd and waving it like "don't even ask, I can't talk right now." This was about the best confirmation I could have received. The song connected with its intended audience. It was a watershed moment for me as a beginning songwriter and, again, I am so grateful. Grateful for music, grateful for freedom, grateful for the gift that we are to one another as human beings.
So this past Wednesday, November 11, I drove up 81 North to Fort Drum, New York and found my way to the USO. The USO (United Service Organization) is a privately funded, charitable organization which provides support services and entertainment to our men and women in all branches of the armed services. The center which was just built a year ago, had a comfortable atmosphere with beautiful furniture (all donated), state-of-the-art XBox stations and WiFi service, a 20-seat movie theater, computer lab, snack kitchen area, pool tables, foos ball, and big screen tv. Please also note that there is a recording studio for a program called "United Through Reading", where soldiers can record themselves reading a book for their children and a dvd is made--all free of charge. Really cool. Innovative and practical.
After a tour of the facilities and a visit to both the gift shop next door (where I purchased a refrigerator magnet that reads "When words fail, music speaks"), and the 10th Mountain Division history museum, I returned to the lounge to prepare to play my song. This was a laid-back event. I was pretty relaxed.
My young hostess, M., whose husband recently returned from one deployment and will leave within a year for another, spoke with me for a few minutes. She said between deployments "every minute together counts." I wondered what she would think of my song. It's one thing to imagine being in someone else's place; it's another to try and speak for that person through art. Risky. My palms began to sweat.
M. gathered the people present around the fireplace in the lounge to hear me perform the song. It wasn't a mob, but all eyes were on me and it was intimidating. I made a joke about their average age, that I hoped they liked it okay but it wasn't going to be rap.I explained the story of how and why I wrote the song. I told them what an honor and a privilege it was to be there with them on this day and thanked them for their service to our country.
Now they were really paying attention. You could hear a pin drop. I played through it okay. Everyone applauded enthusiastically. Then I gave out copies of the recording to anyone who wanted one. They were almost all men, and wanted the cd for their wives, girlfriends, etc. People thanked me. A small group gathered and wanted to know what was my connection to the military? Did I have a husband deployed? A son or daughter? Where could they hear me play more music? I answered their questions and then went back to get my jacket, etc. I was invited to stay for lunch so I did, and visited with some of the folks who were there. I got up to pack up my gear and thank the staff. Some more soldiers came by and shook my hand and thanked me, saying how much they appreciated it.
Then I saw M., and she was weeping, holding her copy of the cd and waving it like "don't even ask, I can't talk right now." This was about the best confirmation I could have received. The song connected with its intended audience. It was a watershed moment for me as a beginning songwriter and, again, I am so grateful. Grateful for music, grateful for freedom, grateful for the gift that we are to one another as human beings.
One Moon Away Lyrics
ONE MOON AWAY
So many nights
So many moons
So many prayers
You’ll be coming home soon
The world ain’t so big
You’ll be back home to stay
When I can believe
That you’re one moon away….
So many towns
So many rules
So many think that we’re
Nothing but fools
We chose this life
There are dues that we pay
And I know my love
Is only one moon away
(CHORUS)
One Moon Away from me
One moon away you’ll see
Love can grow strong with each passing day
And all through the night
You’re only one moon away
Look at the stars shine above
Shining like lights, connecting our love
Across the land, over the sea
Do your job well
Come home safely to me
So many hopes
So many dreams
Sometimes this road
Ain’t as hard as it seems
We’re here for you
The brave never sway
Stay close my love
You’re only one moon away
Stay close my love
You’re only one moon away
©Joanne M. Perry, July 2007
So many nights
So many moons
So many prayers
You’ll be coming home soon
The world ain’t so big
You’ll be back home to stay
When I can believe
That you’re one moon away….
So many towns
So many rules
So many think that we’re
Nothing but fools
We chose this life
There are dues that we pay
And I know my love
Is only one moon away
(CHORUS)
One Moon Away from me
One moon away you’ll see
Love can grow strong with each passing day
And all through the night
You’re only one moon away
Look at the stars shine above
Shining like lights, connecting our love
Across the land, over the sea
Do your job well
Come home safely to me
So many hopes
So many dreams
Sometimes this road
Ain’t as hard as it seems
We’re here for you
The brave never sway
Stay close my love
You’re only one moon away
Stay close my love
You’re only one moon away
©Joanne M. Perry, July 2007
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