Tom Caine Reviews Veteran's Day and Red Johnson TOM CAINE 11/13/04 [Ed: I received a wonderful three-song CD from RED JOHNSON that I've just got to talk about.] RED JOHNSON is a rare and gifted songwriter. He's also a wonderful entertainer, but I want to talk about his songwriting here. About three years ago I found RED's song "Veteran's Day" on his website. The first few times I listened to it I got goose bumps - the song that does that to me is rare indeed! I learned it and Candi and I started closing one of our shows with it. I remember how pleased RED was when I told him about all the standing ovations his song got. I still do this song around Veteran's Day and some other national holidays. In fact, I just did it last Wednesday at our Quiet Village II jam session. The CD RED just sent me had three songs on it: "Veteran's Day," "United We Stand" and "Circles On The Wall." I've just got to tell you that "Circles On The Wall" is another goosebump raiser! It is certainly at least as moving as "Veteran's Day!" Do yourselves a huge favor and do whatever it takes to get a tape or CD from RED with these songs on it. In the unlikely event that there is still somebody in the Valley who doesn't know RED, or at least know of him - I'm going to type a bio I received with his CD. This way, you can all meet him. Also, if there are any Activities Directors or other talent buyers browsing here - if you haven't yet booked RED JOHNSON's show, do it now while you're thinking about it. You can reach him through his web site. The bio on RED follows. -- Tom Tom Caine is Editor and Owner of "RIO GRAND VALLEY MUSICIANS & JAMMERS SERVICES http://www.rgvms.com/ A note to Tom from Red, You are a un-biased treasure to Country Music and the help you extend to the Independent Musician. It is with great pride I post you letter. Your Friend Red Johnson Please do yourself a favor and visit Tom at his site: http://www.rgvms.com/ Dear Red, My wife was in the military and she died several years ago as a result of what she was doing and the U S Government is not taking responsibility. This and that is why when I found your song, "VETERANS DAY". I play it everyday in her memory, I thank you for this song as I think of it as a tribute to her (and others like her) who have died as a result of serving their country. Thanks again, Dave Glena Six A M on a cold winters morning seems like a strange time for a six or seven year old kid to be getting up just to listen to a live radio show by a guy and his guitar who called himself,"The Texas Ranger" and who would sing mostly western songs with a few popular country songs mixed in, But it was enough to spark a life long love for music that would only amplify as the years wore on. I was a kid who would try to be the first to get the "Sears" catalog when it came in the mail and would go straight to the music section and dream of one day having one of those guitars for my very own. But I had lots of time to dream because it wouldn't be until a calf was born on my 10th birthday that my dream would start taking shape, because my Dad would give me that calf for my birthday present, and for the next two years I would nurture him until he became a full grown steer, and when I sold him I got a check for $118.00 and the very next day I ordered one of those beautiful "Silvertone" guitars from the Sears Roebuck Catalog, and it was never to leave my side throughout my teens and courting years and into the Military where I learned to play a little better from the southern boys I would buddy up with. They would call me the "The Minnesota Hillbilly". After my discharge I began playing professionaly and still do. Song writing had always been a passion of mine, having written my first song when I was twelve, Sometimes I am asked how or why I wrote a particular song, for some I can explain, while for others I have to say, "I just held the pen" where it came from is a mystery. I write most of my own material in a blend of modern and traditional country. I married my high school sweetheart in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and after my time in the service we made our home in the Minneapolis area where I worked my trade as a union carpenter and commercial drywall and played music nights and weekends. I hope you will take time to listen to some of the sound bites on my site, and to those of you who have purchased my cd's I say thanks and I hope you will enjoy them. I will answere all mail, so please let me hear from you, Your Friend, Red Hi, Red. I Sent below to my Shipmates this morning. Thanks again for being a great American. Dex On this Veterans Day, please remember all those who have sacrificed so much. Country Music Singer Red Johnson allowed us to use his Veterans Day song in our video clip dedicated to our Fallen Shipmates. Red said about the video; I am so PROUD and Honored that I could be a part of it. You can access this video clip on my home page below. Dexter Goad, NN '61-64 and '66-69 http://home.att.net/~dgoad/index.html --"My Love of Thunder" Web Site-- Hello Red, I'm an old Korea & Vietman veteran who loves your songs, And thank you for the things of the past. I was on the USS NEWPORT NEWS CA-148 for 6 years two trips off Veitnam. You made our life a litle easier then. I retired from the Navy in 1977 after 22 years. I retired again in 1998. I wish you well and take care, Regards Dusty Rhoades US Navy Retired Hello Red. My name is Gary Boswell (Boz) I was on the Newport News on Oct. 1, 1972 and would like to thank you for your song and being a part of remembering our fallen Shipmates. God Bless GB