The following italicized paragraph is the official "Song of the Year" review;
The title is one of the elements of a song that a listener will remember and look for, but only if he/she likes the song. "Ain't We Got It Good" is very compelling. The first thing a prospective fan will hear, besides the intro, is the first line of the lyric. The lines are intriguing and awaken the listener's interest and convey the patriotic message of the song. The overall arrangement and precise, clear ideas propagate throughout the entire song. The placement of the chorus and the phrasing work as an unforgettable hook. Great job! The song's devoted and touching appeal makes you feel familiar with every line of the reflective lyrics, which in turn make this relatable to the audience. Great work! It is enjoyable from title to the last note!
In early 2007, Mike was contacted by a fan in the San Antonio area who told him of a young United States Army Sergeant who was killed in action during the War in Iraq. "Beth" told Mike about how she stood with the wife of this sergeant at his funeral and she spoke of how Mike's song "Angel Fly" was sung. Needless to say, Mike felt completely honored that his song was found worthy enough to be played at a hero's funeral but it also compelled him to write a song in appreciation for all soldiers, airmen and sailors everywhere. A song for all those who served in every conflict and in every war.
Mike had written the lyrics for "Ain't We Got it Good" a few months prior to receiving the message about the fallen soldier, but he hadn't really carved the music in stone. Mike told Sammy about the San Antonio fan, the fallen sergeant and "Angel Fly" and Sammy agreed that more should be done to acknowledge the sacrifices made by all those who've served in America's military and to those who were currently serving. Sammy took a look at Mike's lyrics and within an hour or so, he came up with the melody which would forever become a part of "Ain't We Got it Good."
This is a powerful song with traces of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird" mixed into the magic of Sammy Hundley's slide guitar. Mike delivers a great performance as the two of them pay tribute with words and music to the heroes of the American military. This song is dedicated to every person who served in any branch of the American military whether currently active or inactive, living, retired or deceased.
Lead Vocals: Mike Parrish
Background Vocals: Sammy Hundley
Keyboards: Sammy Hundley
Bass, Acoustic Rhythm, Acoustic Lead, Electric Slide Guitars; Sammy Hundley
Drums: Alan Dossett
Mixed & Mastered by Kyle W. Smith
recently made Mike a Featured Artist
Mike was recently honored by being named as a featured artist on the MilBlog entitled
"A Soldier's Mind" seems to be a site FOR the soldiers and BY the soldiers and their families, friends, supporters and all Americans who wish to support the troops during their great service and selfless sacrifices for our country. "I am extremely honored to become a part of this site as one of the many artists who openly suppport American military personnel through music. I only hope the song 'Ain't We Got It Good' is worthy of the time it takes for them to listen to it because, in my opinion, their time is so very precious and valuable."
The article was written by Terri Szendrodi whose significant other is a US Army 1st Cavalry Division Staff Sergeant currently deployed on his third tour in Iraq. Terri's family is full of military veterans spanning many decades and it was Terri who found Mike and his music. "That's one of the reasons this opportunity is such an honor for me. I think Terri somehow saw through the lyrics and the music and found that I genuinely and openly support our American military. Always have. Always will," commented Mike.
The article follows in its entirety;
Deep in the heart of Texas, lives a man who fiercely loves his Country and is thankful for the gift of freedom that has been given to us, through sacrifices made by the men and women serving in our Nation's armed forces. It is an honor for me to be able to introduce our readers to our latest Tunes For The Troops featured artist, Mike Parrish. I had the distinct pleasure of being able to speak with Mike last night on the phone, about his great song that is dedicated to the troops, "Ain't We Got It Good." His song has a message that not only we need to hear but our troops need to hear as well, written from the perspective of a person sitting and watching the fireworks on the 4th of July and thinking about the reasons that we have the freedoms to do so. It makes you think about how lucky we are to live here in the United States and have the liberty to do and say what we want, go where we want and do what we want… all because brave men and women have fought, bled and died to allow us that liberty.
"AIN'T WE GOT IT GOOD" is not a political statement but a tribute to our troops. ALL OF OUR TROOPS whether active, inactive, retired or deceased should never be forgotten for the selfless sacrifices they've made to secure our country's freedom. Any true American knows freedom isn't really free. Living or lost, they paid the cost buying precious liberty. Written by: Mike Parrish & Sammy Hundley - Lead Vocals: Mike Parrish - Background Vocals: Sammy Hundley - Guitars: Sammy Hundley - Keyboards: Sammy Hundley - Drums: Alan Dossett
I spent some time on Mike's MySpace page, listening to various songs that he has posted there and was quite impressed. Every single song I listened to had a message for the listener. His journey through life has taken him on down several paths, from US Soldier, to Police Officer to his one true love Music. Joining Mike in his songs is his close friend and guitarist Sammy Hundley and drummer Alan Dossett. Together they've created a sound that's a little bit Country and a little bit Southern Rock, a sound that is pleasing to the listener and a sound that I think everyone will like. Mike's album will be released soon, with a target date of May 29th. Mike was kind enough to email a fantastic story to me, so I'll let him do the talking now.
"My grandfathers, most all of my great uncles, my father and a couple of hisbrothers, my cousins, my nephew and I have all served in one branch of the United States military or other. I served in an Air Defense Artillery unit at Fort Bragg, N.C. I was lucky because I served when our nation was at peace and I saw no combat whatsoever. After leaving the service in 1986, I worked in construction and the oilfield related services until 1992 when I joined the East Texas Police Academy through Kilgore College."
"I have been a police officer since that time having served several law enforcement agencies within southeast Texas. I began my career in Hardin County as a patrolman with the Sour Lake Police Department. I was later employed by the Hardin County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Sheriff and then moved to the county seat where I worked for the Kountze Police Department moving up the ranks. I was promoted to Chief of Police of the Kountze Police Department in 1997. In 1999 I took an investigators position with the Hardin County District Attorney's Office then took the helm of a small agency in Liberty County, appointed as Chief of Police for the Daisetta Police Department. I was appointed to the position of Liberty County Pct #2 Constable in May of 2006, ran for election in November and won that position by 84% of the vote."
"While I thoroughly enjoy serving the public, I'm afraid my first love has always been music. As a young man I wrote many many songs, songs which I still have some thirty-five years later after having written my very first song at 9-years-old. So much can be said in a song that seems to take much longer if related in a speech and even then the meaning may not be quite clear. My father, a Korean War veteran, bought my first guitar for me on my sixth birthday. I've loved music since."
"I have a very deep loyalty to my country. I love America and consider it undoubtedly the greatest nation on earth. Here, we say what we think, we do what we want, we go where we please and we also take those precious freedoms for granted quite often. It's difficult to imagine a world where dictators, communists or terrorists decide your life for you and thankfully, as an American, I've never had to endure those experiences. But I know why I've never had to endure hardships of that magnitude, I've never lived with tyranny because the American people won't stand for it. Not here, not ever. I salute all soldiers, sailors, airmen, and other military personnel for taking care of America and ensuring that the freedom I have today will still be here for my children, my grandchildren and their grandchildren. I take great pride in knowing that America is a strong and mighty nation and I'm even more proud of those who serve our country ensuring its stability, allowing us to sleep well at night with full stomachs and no worries."
"Ain't We Got It Good" was written approximately ten months ago, in July 2006. I wrote the lyrics and some of the music but I just couldn't seem to find a melody that I was completely happy with. This song had to be right and, after working with it for a few weeks, I decided to set it aside until the right melody came to me. In the meantime, I was contacted through my MySpace site by a soldier's wife who is based in Fort Hood, Texas. She told me the story of a young sergeant who was killed in action and his body had been returned to Fort Hood, to his wife and to his daughter. I saw the widows MySpace page and there was a slide show consisting of photographs taken from the time her husband was returned to her through the burial and ceremonies. I was so touched by the fact that my song "Angel Fly" was sung at the funeral and I know that if I'd been aware of this tragedy I'd have traveled there to sing it for them myself. The sorrow in that young family's eyes was more than enough to get the ball rolling on "Ain't We Got It Good" again."
"My manager and lead guitar player, also lifelong friend, Sammy Hundley sat down with me one evening and I tossed a few ideas at him as to where I thought this tune was going. Sammy wholeheartedly agreed and it was Sammy who ultimately came up with the melody for "Ain't We Got It Good." I love this song through and through because it says so very much in such a very short time. Many of us take Independence Day celebrations for granted. It's a day off, a paid holiday, a day at the beach or a ball game AND we're guaranteed that it'll come around once every year. But it's not a paid holiday for everybody, in fact, hundreds of thousands of American military personnel bought that celebrated day off by paying the ultimate price, the supreme sacrifice to maintain freedom beginning in 1776 but it's never ceased."
"America's freedom will only be guaranteed as long as we have brave young men and women who are willing to meet the challenges in defeating those who would wish to take our freedom away. "Ain't We Got It Good" is for every person who ever served in any branch of the United States military. It's for the World War I and World War II soldiers and sailors. It's for the Korean War and Viet Nam War Veterans. It's for the Americans fighting the War in Iraq and for every person who ever served in any war, conflict, police action or other military mission throughout American history. It's my way of saying I appreciate all of them for giving me this wonderful gift of freedom, for allowing me to share it with my children and grandchildren. It's been often stated that no greater love can be shown than he/she who would lay down his/her own life for the life of another. I know what Independence Day is about and I know, without any doubt, that I am a very blessed man. In my opinion, Independence Day, Memorial Day & Veteran's Day should all be observed with the same reverence expected of Sunday mornings in God's house because such a deep debt of respect and gratitude is to be paid to those who've protected us and to those who protect us today. Such a huge debt of gratitude should be shown to the surviving family members who bear the burden of loss which secured our freedom."
"It is my fervent prayer that all those military personnel (active, inactive, & retired) and the surviving families of those soldiers who were taken from us who are able to have an opportunity to hear "Ain't We Got It Good, it is my hope that they know in their heart of hearts that these words are very very true and it's the very best way I know to say thank you for giving my family and I this great life we have."
©2007 Willow Street Entertainment Group L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.
