NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – CMA AWARDS

Paul Monti’s interview with NPR was the inspiration for the CMA’s Song of the Year – “I Drive Your Truck”.  Songwriter, Connie Harrison, was listening to NPR’s: “Here and Now” for Memorial Day, and heard the story about a couple in Massachusetts driving their son’s truck on Sunday as it helped them cope with the loss.  The couple on air described even the contents of the truck and how much it meant to them.

Their son, SSGT Jaron Monti, was killed in Afghanistan in 2006 and is a 2009 Medal of Honor Recipient.  Follow this link for the details of his service   http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/monti/remarks.html

Connie, partnered with Jessi Alexander and then Jimmy Yeary to write the lyrics, and last night at CMA it was named the Song of the Year, performed by Lee Brice.   The link here will take you to the music video, and the lyrics are strong and powerful, and the visuals express the pain that clearly the loss of a loved one entails!

The Country Music “sound” has done more to honor our troops and Veterans, and this song along with the online music video by Lee Brice, is a tribute to all those who have served and brings tribute to those who have their lives in protecting our freedoms.

Thanks to this team of song writers and to Lee Brice!   And congrats to George Strait for winning “Entertainer of the Year!’, and a special shout out to Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood for taking on the healthcare debacle with great humor and song!