Warrior Songs is proud to announce the release of our first ever, veteran story to song compilation CD. For the past 5 years, we have been gathering the stories of veterans and turning them into songs. We will celebrate the CD’s resale at Funks Pub in Fitchburg on Saturday Nov 5th 2016 from 8pm until Midnight. Contributing artists who will be performing songs from the CD include. Warrior Songs founder Jason Moon (veteran contributer), Shelia Shigley (of the Getaway Drivers), Kris Sheehan (of American Feedbag), the Mambo Surfers (Milwaukee), Moonshine (De Pere), Jesse Frewerd (veteran contributor Milwaukee), and Courtney Reynolds (Appleton). Come and support this wonderful event. Free admission with drink specials for veterans. Be the first to get a copy of the new CD “If You Have to Ask… Warrior Songs Vol 1.”

From the CD insert text… Title: If You Have To Ask. Warrior Songs Vol. 1 Track List 1. Things Will Never Be The Same by Courtney Reynolds 2. Why Are We Here by Todd Fahn 3. Brothers by Kyle Rightley 4. Smoke Break by Emily Yates 5. Soon by Erin Krebs with Monterey Trail 6. 188th by Jacob George 7. Never Keep Me Down by Jesse Frewerd 8. The Things We Carried by Jason Moon 9. Ying and the Yang by Kris Sheehan 10. You Are Not Alone by BriGette McCoy 11. Waiting For My Sun by Sheila Shigley 12. Bullet Dress by Melissa Doud with the Mambo Surfers 13. I’m Still Fighting by Kevin Bauer and Moonshine 14. B.O.H.I.C.A by Jason Moon

If You Have To Ask. Warrior Songs Vol. 1 Warrior Songs is a 501c.3 non-profit dedicated to helping veterans heal from the wounds of service through music and the creative arts. The proceeds from the sale of this CD will fund future volumes. © Warrior Songs 2016

I struggled after I returned from the war in Iraq, and after four years, I attempted suicide. I woke up in a VA hospital and was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. In 2009, I began to write songs about my experiences, and a year later, I released a full-length album of these songs, which I titled “Trying to Find My Way Home.” As my music spread in the veteran community, I began to get emails, letters, and phone calls from veterans and their loved ones. They told me that my songs spoke to them, and that my music helped them. Realizing that I had found a new mission, I began to travel the country - empowering veterans, educating civilians, and speaking to anyone that would listen.

While performing at a veterans' retreat, I met a woman soldier, who had been raped while in the military. She said to me, “If I could turn my trauma into music the way you did, I believe I would find healing the way you have.” She changed my life. In that moment, Warrior Songs was born. For five years now, I have been travelling the country: doing PTSD outreach and education, and collecting the stories of the veterans I encountered as I traveled. I carried these stories and guarded them until I found songwriters who, with the respect they deserved, transformed them into song.

The album you hold in your hand is the culmination of the first five years of Warrior Songs. Forty-two veterans contributed to it through testimony, song, poem, lyric, art, and story, and I give them my thanks. For those whose paths haven't lead them to the military, I hope it gives a glimpse into what veterans deal with, each and every day. To my brothers and sisters who have been there, I hope listening reminds you that - you are not alone - PTSD is not a weakness - and we don’t leave our wounded behind. Essayons! 9/22/2016 Jason Moon Founder Warrior Songs Inc.