Oak Brook, Ill., December 8th, 2009-- The Soldiers Christmas Project, a holiday celebration of the spoken word, music and song has been released for download by JP Music of Oak Brook, Illinois. The 11-cut CD includes poems honoring the service of our military, the traditional biblical Christmas Story from the Book of Matthew, O. Henry’s “Gift of the Magi,” and other original works including what many have said will be the next big single for the season, “I Want a Kiss,” brought back to life after a quarter century of waiting to be released!  

Performing the album is veteran Chicago broadcaster and voice actor ~ Paul Brian in concert with the  musical genius, and arrangements of Joe Cantafio. Early in the production process, both performers decided that they would designate the Wounded Warrior Project for contributions from the proceeds of the album. 

     

USO Entertainer JOE CANTAFIO and radio personality PAUL BRIAN ~ creators of the Soldier Christmas Project

“To say that Joe ‘accompanies me’ doesn’t do his artistry justice,” said Brian. “Joe’s guitar and creativity in arrangements are as integral to what the listener hears as any spoken word. His years of performing on stages around the world and as a USO entertainer on the frontlines, shine through and make every facet of the ‘Soldiers Christmas Project’ something very special.”

“I Want a Kiss” was performed by the Trapped Von Revers Family Singers (Joe's sister's family) for nearly a quarter-century ago, but not until today has it been heard outside of the family. This song has as much story to it as it has fun and it’s going to be a Christmas Classic.

“For as much as I love Paul’s and my work together on this project, everyone who has heard it is raving about that 'Kiss Song,’” said Cantafio. “I remembered that we had mastered it a long time ago and we chose to bring it back to life—from what is now archaic 2” vinyl tape—for this album. Everyone loves it already, but we also dare you to listen to it just once and we predict that you’ll be singing along and wanting to hear it again and again. We mean it, we dare you!”

Brian is a US Army veteran, Board Member of Operation Homefront Illinois and a member of the US Army Chicago Recruiting Battalion Grassroots Advisory Board. He's also a dedicated booster of the Wounded Warrior Project and the USO.  With any luck, he'll be embedded with a unit in Afghanistan to tell the stories of soldiers very, very soon!

A Gold Star family member, Joe is well known in military circles and has performed with his 101st Rock Division band countless times everywhere from Chicago to Iraq, from New York to Africa to "Anywhere they'll have me!" He is Executive Director of the  National Veterans Museum and is hoping to return to the Middle East to entertain in the upcoming year.

While the CD is being rushed to production for distribution, those wishing to purchase cuts from this thoughtful and family oriented collection, can do so by visiting www.SoldiersChristmasProject.com. Furthermore, arrangements for download via iTunes, Amazon.com and Overstock.com will be completed early next week. 
 

“The timetable this recording project was on would have made any sane person walk away,” said Brian. “The idea for it hit me when I was hospitalized with the flu last month. I called Joe and said, ‘I have an idea,’ and from there we’ve been going at warp speed to today when we’re proud to make these remarkable readings and recordings available to the public.

The recoreding session were magical, 11 songs/presentations and final mixes in four days. And when we thought there couldn't be any more heartfelt moments, the story of the "Magic Guitar" was revealed. Joe played a guitar that was owned by a WWII Veteran whose son wanted it play it on "something important." He trusted the care of this 80-year old hand made Spanish guitar to Joe 18-month earlier. Read the incredible story and other on the website. 

The way we've been embraced by everyone from our studios to the whole crew at Wounded Warrior has made this a remarkable journey."

 

Both Brian and Cantafio are available for interview scheduling and additional background information via soldierschristmasproject@gmail.com 

      
Soldiers Christmas Project CD cover - created by Capt Michael Saubert Sr, US Army (ret)