July 29th, 2006
This entry was posted on July 28, 2006 10:32 PM and is filed under Music and soldiers.
July 29th, 2006
We are getting ready for a few shows next week. On Thursday the 3rd of August, we will be back at St. Zachary's Augustfest in Des Plaines, IL. This year will mark my 18th year of performing at this great event. I love the people who run Augustfest and the audience that attends this event have always been great. It's like a huge family. Everyone working together to pull this event off, year after year.
Young Robbie Storto will be making his first professional showing as part of a singing/guitar playing duo and will be part of our opening act. I've known Robbie since he was about 8-years old. Performing with Robbie will be one of my oldest and dearest friends and a man I consider my brother, Keith "Killer Berry" Grant. Keith was with me in the early days of Jade 50's. He is a true musician and a "mans man." It will be so fun for me to watch and listen to these two perform professionally together for the first time.
Early Friday morning, we head up to St. Germain, WI (6-hour drive, ... ugh) to a 2nd-year rib festival called "Pig's in the Pine's" (I love that name.)
As many of you may know, my brave, heroic cousin, Ryan Joseph Cantafio, USMC, paid the ultimate price for American freedom on Thanksgiving night 2004. I had the honor of attending Ryan's funeral. I have maintained that Ryan's funeral was the most beautiful and saddest funeral I have ever attended. Ryan's life story and the entire day I spent with my cousins had an incredible impacted on me and inspired a song I wrote and perform at every event. My friend Herb Weinand, who I have been writing songs with for over 30-years, helped with the lyrics. The song Ryan inspired is titled; "Brave Warrior." I wanted to make sure people never forget him. Ryan was only 22-years old when he was lost to us, but he had a huge impact on many people in his home town of Beaver Dam, WI. He was loved by people of all ages and his spirit lives on through his younger brothers and sisters. Ryan was their hero as well.
This past week, I found out though my cousin and Ryan's aunt, Cathy Cantafio Zemp, that Ryan's dad, Joe Cantafio (that's right there are two of us, ... can you stand that?) ... anyway, Ryan's dad is worried that everyone will forget his great son and business partner. I explained to Cathy that I had written a song inspired by Ryan and that I mention him at every show and at every speaking engagement. Cathy relayed that message to Joe and now Joe and family will be coming to the fest. Cathy lives near St. Germain so I guess Cousin Joe and family will all be staying with her and her family.
I know I'll have tears in my eyes when I sing "Brave Warrior," as I look out at Joe and other family members. I have been practicing the song on my own this whole week and I am trying to imagine what it will be like to actually sing it to the parents that raised this fine American boy who inspired this song. I hope I present the song with the same class and dignity that Ryan showed during his short life. This show in St. Germain will be very special and I know I'll never forget it. It will be so great to hang out with my cousins, but I think it will be greater for them to know that Ryan, and what he stood for, will alway be remembered.
Comments
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July 30, 2006 9:00 AM
anonymous wrote:
Ryan will be smiling down from Heaven when you perform his song. I hope that his family - and especially his father - will be comforted by the warmth of that smile.
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July 30, 2006 5:11 PM
Cathy wrote:
Your family and friends should be proud of all you and your associates do for our troops. I am certain that the men and women in our armed forces appreciate your gift of entertainment. Thank you for reminding us of what is important, not to take our lives and what we have for granted.
As Americans, let us honor and support our troops for fighting for our freedom...
Thank you for honoring those lost in the 9-11 attacks and reminding us that there are many still effected daily by these attacks and our support is needed.
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August 1, 2006 12:23 PM
Ryan Jazak wrote:
Hey Joe, I logged on to your site and decided to check out your journal. I read them all, but this one really hit my heart. As you know, my brother is a serving United States Marine, and stories like yours here really hits home. Thankfully, my brother has returned from Iraq unscathed, but there are many heroes who haven't. Those brave warriors have made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, and to know people like you, try to make sure that Americans never forget those sacrifices is truly awesome. My hats off to you my friend. Eric (my brother) really enjoyed talking to you on the pnone that day we met for lunch. His comment to me was "What a great American." The support you show for our men and women in uniform is incredible. I wish all entertainers could see past their political views and do the same. Support is what they all need, and thank you for giving them credit and recognition they all deserve. I also wanted to express to you my deepest sorrows for the loss of Ryan. He died defending the greatest country on earth and I can assure you that in my eyes, he will never be forgotten. Ryan is a real AMERICAN IDOL. Please give my best to his family. And let them know that this Wisconsinite will never forget their sacrifice. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the festival in St. Germain. August 3rd is my 10-year anniversary with my lovely wife. I heard through a mutual friend of ours (FDNY Vinny) that something is in the works for Chicago's Hard Rock Cafe. I will definiately be attending that one. I am joining Vinny in the foundation now, and will be coordinating things in this area soon. I hope to do my best to help him out. Take care my friend, and God Bless you for all that you do in the name of freedom.
Your brother,
Ryan
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August 6, 2006 8:04 AM
Tom Meade wrote:
Joe,
My Dad and I truly loved the show at " Augustfest " last Thursday night. I was most impressed with the way your band pull-off some utterly fantastic covers of rock greats such as The Beatles, The Who, Cheap Trick, U2, Paul McCartney and the list goes on and on ...
My Dad was especially touched by the tribute to him and my Mom with your version of The Beatles, " I Will ."
Thanks again for a great show and tribute to America's finest. Oh, and by the way, that includes you too!
May God bless you and the band and may God bless the USA!
Sincerely and
Best regards,
Capt. Thomas P. Meade, USAF
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