HIT SONGWRITERS AND GI JAMS CREATORS DENNY RANDELL AND
BIDDY SCHIPPERS ARE HONORED WITH A SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE AT THE PENTAGON, PRESENTED BY PAUL D. PATRICK, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR RESERVE AFFAIRS
Arlington, VA – Founders of GI Jams® (www.gijams.com) and hit songwriters Denny Randell and Biddy Schippers were recognized at The Pentagon at the United States Department of Defense in Arlington, Va. during a special presentation of honor on June 14, 2013, where a dedicated plaque was presented to them by Major General, U.S. Army (Retired) Paul D. Patrick, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (Readiness, Training and Mobilization). Randell and Schippers also each received from him a special military coin, which is given to individuals in appreciation for and to recognize certain events and circumstances.
The songwriting duo was escorted to The Pentagon by Marine Col Joseph Krumm, who first initiated their special invitation for their founding and co-directing of GI Jams and its website, GIJams.com. They were accompanied by LtCol Jerard Brewer, a U.S. Marine and a songwriter who is featured on the GI Jams Compilation album.
During their visit, Randell and Schippers presented Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Patrick and Marine Col Krumm each with a copy of GI Jams CD Album - Vol. 1: The Original Music Of Our Military Artists. Their visit to the Pentagon also included a stop at the office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Bringing the musical talents of hundreds of veterans and active duty soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen and National Guard members to the forefront, GI Jams showcases and promotes the original songs and performances of active and retired military musical artists, all branches, ranks and rates. It also provides the opportunity for them to sign up and have their own profile pages on GIJams.com, featuring their bios, pictures, blogs and music, with 100 percent of the download profits going to the artists.
This first GI Jams Records compilation project was released in partnership with Rhino (Warner Music Group). GI Jams, Vol. 1: The Original Music Of Our Military Artists features 14 tracks by eight of the site’s most popular artists and bands. The album, which also includes two “Battlefield Music Videos” made from footage shot from active duty positions in Iraq, will now be available in the U.S. Marine stores.
Schippers says, “We’re excited that the GI Jams compilation album will now be available in all the Marine stores. We were very proud on behalf of our military artists to personally present the GI Jams album to Deputy Assistant Secretary Patrick and Col Krumm at this special trip to The Pentagon.”Randell and Schippers have been longtime supporters of those who serve in the military and had wanted to find a special way to give back. As they say in their site’s mission statement: “While we can never repay them, each of us can certainly do our part to help and support them. One great way to do this is to give those in our military who are musically talented the opportunity to be heard and the chance to realize financial gain from their music and talent and maybe even go all the way.”
Randell and Schippers have a wealth of history in many facets of the music industry, both separately and as a creative team. Randell, a renowned songwriter, producer, artist and arranger/programmer, has had over 45 of his songs reach the Billboard charts, including “A Lover’s Concerto” by The Toys, “Native New Yorker” by Odyssey (featured on “Sex and the City’s” last season on HBO), “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby” by Smash Mouth and hits by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, three of which are featured in the Tony Award winning show “Jersey Boys,” including “Working My Way Back To You” and “Let’s Hang On.” Other artists who have recorded songs penned or co-written by Randell include Quincy Jones, Diddy, Barry Manilow, Diana Ross, The Spinners, The Monkees, Busta Rhymes, the Star Wars Cast and Penn Jillette. His songs have sold over 200 million records and he is a 2011 nominee to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Schippers is a songwriter, producer, artist and programmer who has had numerous U.S. and international chart successes. She and Randell are composers, artists and producers of dance hits in the U.S. and UK, which have become, according to Allmusic.com, “club staples.” Their most recent dance and video hit “Alice in Wonderland” reached #7 on the Yahoo Video charts and was featured on video sites worldwide.
LtCol Brewer has been a District Officer in charge of the southeast region for the Marine For Life Network since August 2010, which is an extension of the U.S. Marine Corps taking pride in taking care of its own. The program is a veteran-friendly nationwide network of employers, educators and mentors that can create opportunities for Marines as they transition back into the civilian world. He has been a Marine since 1986 and is currently stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Randell said, “Biddy and I feel extremely honored and grateful to have been invited to the Pentagon and to have received from Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Patrick the special plaque in appreciation for our support of members of the military through our GI Jams company and project, and to also personally receive from him the two special military coins.”
For more information on GI Jams or to hear the music, please visit www.gijams.com.
Contact: Chrissy Sutphin, LUCK Media & Marketing, Inc. (818) 232-4175
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]]>HIT SONGWRITERS AND CREATORS OF GIJAMS.COM,
DENNY RANDELL AND BIDDY SCHIPPERS,TO BE HONORED AT
THE PENTAGON JUNE 14
GI Jams ® founders Denny Randell and Biddy Schippers have been invited by Marine Col Joseph Krumm to The Pentagon at the United States Department of Defense in Arlington, Va. for a special presentation of honor on June 14, 2013.
GI Jams brings the musical talents of hundreds of veterans and active duty soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen and National Guard members to the forefront and showcases and promotes the original songs and performances of active and retired military musical artists, all branches, ranks and rates. It also provides the opportunity for them to sign up and have their own profile pages on GIJams.com, featuring their bios, pictures, blogs and music, with 100 percent of the download profits going to the artists.
Randell and Schippers have been longtime supporters of those who serve in the military and had wanted to find a special way to give back. As they say in their site’s mission statement: “While we can never repay them, each of us can certainly do our part to help and support them. One great way to do this is to give those in our military who are musically talented the opportunity to be heard and the chance to realize financial gain from their music and talent and maybe even go all the way.” The first GI Jams Records compilation project was released in partnership with Rhino (Warner Music Group). GI Jams, Vol. 1: The Original Music Of Our Military Artists features 14 tracks by eight of the site’s most popular artists and bands. The album, which also includes two “Battlefield Music Videos” made from footage shot from active duty positions in Iraq, will now be available in all U.S. Marine stores.
Schippers says, “We are thrilled that the GI Jams Compilation album that we are so proud of will be in the U.S. Marine stores.”
Separately and as a creative team, Randell and Schippers have a wealth of history in many facets of the music industry. Randell, a renowned songwriter, producer, artist and arranger/programmer, has had over 45 of his songs reach the Billboard charts, including “A Lover’s Concerto” by The Toys, “Native New Yorker” by Odyssey (featured on “Sex and the City’s” last season on HBO), “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby” by Smash Mouth and hits by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, three of which are featured in the Tony Award winning show “Jersey Boys,” including “Working My Way Back To You” and “Let’s Hang On.” Other artists who have recorded songs penned or co-written by Randell include Quincy Jones, Diddy, Barry Manilow, Diana Ross, The Spinners, The Monkees, Busta Rhymes, the Star Wars Cast and Penn Jillette. His songs have sold over 200 million records and he is a 2011 nominee to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Schippers is a songwriter, producer, artist and programmer who has had numerous U.S. and international chart successes. She and Randell are composers, artists and producers of dance hits in the U.S. and UK, which have become, according to Allmusic.com, “club staples.” Their most recent dance and video hit “Alice in Wonderland” reached #7 on the Yahoo Video charts and was featured on video sites worldwide.
Randell and Schippers will be accompanied to The Pentagon on June 14 by LtCol Jerard Brewer, a U.S. Marine and a songwriter who is featured on the GI Jams Compilation album.
Since August 2010, Brewer has been a District Officer in charge of the southeast region for the Marine For Life Network which is an extension of the U.S. Marine Corps taking pride in taking care of its own. The program is a veteran friendly nationwide network of employers, educators and mentors that can create opportunities for Marines as they transition back into the civilian world. He has been in the Marines since 1986 and is currently stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Randell adds, “Biddy and I are deeply honored by this invitation to The Pentagon and the recognition of our GI Jams project.”
For more information on GI Jams or to hear the music, please visit www.gijams.com.
Contact: Chrissy Sutphin, LUCK Media & Marketing, Inc. (818) 232-4175
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SAN ANTONIO-BASED GI JAMS ARTISTS DESTRUCTION EVOLUTION AND JASON ‘XTREME’ KNIGHT SET TO PERFORM SPECIAL CONCERTS ON VETERAN’S DAY WEEKEND
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Southern Metal Band Destruction Evolution Will Play Two Fundraisers (Rough Riders Motorcycle Club and The Susan G. Komen Foundation) November 10-11, While Knight Headlines the Veterans Day After Parade BASH Live Music on November 10
True to the mission of GI Jams (www.gijams.com), a multi-media project and company dedicated to showcasing and promoting the original songs and performances of active duty and retired U.S. servicemen and women, the popularSan Antonio-based GI Jams artists Destruction Evolution and Jason “Xtreme” Knight are headlining separate shows this Veterans Day weekend.
Destruction Evolution, a Southern metal band fronted by lead singer and 20-yearAir Force veteran Steve “Sin” Sinatra, is performing a free show Saturday, November 10 at 8 p.m. for the Buckhorn Chapter of the Rough Riders Motorcycle Club fundraiser at Buck’s Saloon, outside San Antonio. Rough Riders is a military affiliated organization contributing their time and efforts to our military and veterans.
On Veteran’s Day, Sunday, November 11, Destruction Evolution is performing at the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. to raise money and awareness for the Susan G. Komen Foundationfor the fight against breast cancer. They will be playing while the runners whiz by, providing the backdrop for their part of the course. Their location is Stage B18 atEmilio Guerra and Mission Roads. Sully Erna from heavy metal greatsGodsmack has committed to running the marathon, according to his Facebookpage. The event is free, unless you are running in the marathon.
Destruction Evolution caps the weekend on Monday, November 12, with a live performance on KLRN, San Antonio’s Channel 29, at 9 a.m. with Kimberly Crawford and Cassandra Lazenby. They will be performing their songs “Relentless” and “Greatest of Things,” which appear on the compilation of GI Jams, Vol. 1: The Original Music of Our Military Artists. This mark’s the band’s second time performing for this station.
Army Staff Sergeant, 17-year active duty soldier and singer, songwriter and musician Jason “Xtreme” Knight who is also a GI Jams recording artistwill be performing with special guest Angela Mesquiti November 10 from 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. at the Veterans Day After Parade Bash at VFW Post 76 in San Antonio.
Knight has put this event together to commemorate all U.S. veterans who have “selflessly served our country. I am a war veteran myself and have decided to give back to them through music. I am determined to bridge the gap between the old and young, retired veterans and those still serving, and our civilians who support the troops, through music. I believe I am doing something special and that Military Town USA should hear about it.”
Knight has invited the Wounded Warrior Battalion (Bn), which has over 600 wounded warriors and over 400 staff members that have been notified to join the festivities. The event invites families, veterans, military and civilians, and is open to the public.
On Friday, November 30, Knight will be gigging at Veterans of Foreign War(VFW) Post 8315 in Schertz, Texas.
Founded by songwriters Denny Randell and Biddy Schippers, GI Jams showcases and promotes active and retired military musical artists, all branches, ranks and rates. It also provides the opportunity for them to sign up and have their own profile pages on GIJams.com, featuring bios, pictures, blogs and original songs and performances available for 99 cents a download, with 100 percent of the download profits on the site going to the artists. The first GI Jams Records compilation project was released in partnership with Rhino (Warner Music Group).
Event Recap:
Veterans Day After Parade Bash
Jason “Xtreme” Knight with special guest Angela Mesquiti
VFW Post 76
10 Tenth Street
San Antonio, TX 78215
November 10, 2012
8 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Free; donations are welcomed to help benefit the VFW
Destruction Evolution for the Buckhorn Chapter of the Rough Riders Motorcycle Club
Buck’s Saloon
3751 E Loop 1604 S
Adkins, TX 78101
November 10, 2012
8 p.m.
Free
Destruction Evolution at the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon and ½ Marathon
Stage B18 at Emilio Guerra Street and Mission Road
San Antonio, TX 78214
November 11, 2012
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Free, unless you are a marathon runner
http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-antonio
** Media is invited to attend and take photos. Please email ashley@luckmedia.com or call (818) 232-4175 to arrange coverage.
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Black Hawk Pilot Adrian Manuel’s “One Nation Under God”
Receives Joint Airplay With Houston’s “Star Spangled Banner”
Army Chief Warrant Officer Adrian Manuel‘s song “One Nation Under God,” featured on the just released GI Jams Compilation Album – Vol 1, The Original Music Of Our U.S. Musical Military Artists, is currently being added to Gospel radio programs in the U.S., including several stations that are playing it in combination with Whitney Houston‘s classic 1991 recording of the National Anthem as their show opener.
Manuel, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot who returned last year from active duty deployment flying missions in Iraq, currently resides in Terre Haute, Ind. and flies with the state’s Army National Guard Aviation Battalion 2-238. He joined the GI Jams web site GIJams.com as a singer/songwriter while deployed, as have many other U.S. musical military artists stationed around the world—including in Iraq and Afghanistan—and on bases throughout the U.S. Manuel wrote “One Nation Under God” while on active duty in flight school in Alabama.
Stations and radio programs opening with Whitney Houston’s “Star Spangled Banner” and Adrian Manuel’s “One Nation Under God” include the Sunday Gospel show Standing In The Gap hosted by Jernetta Brown on KLTR 94.1 FM in Brenham, Texas covering the Houston and Austin areas (Program Director Lori Henderson), and the Sunday Gospel show on KGGN 890-AM in Kansas City, Mo., (Program Director Reggie Brown). Manuel’s recording of “One Nation Under God” is gaining more airplay every week; it will also begin airing shortly on WAER-FM in Syracuse, N.Y. (Program Director Eric Cohen).
”Standing In The Gap” Gospel show host Jernetta Brown says, “This is one of the greatest opportunities of our time to be able to promote one of the artists of the U.S. Military and we are very proud to be one of the radio shows presenting GI Jams artists Adrian Manuel and his very moving and special song ‘One Nation Under God.’”
Recently, another of Manuel’s songs, “Freedom,” has been featured on a number of U.S. music video shows and networks. Included in the GI Jams album as a “Battlefield Music Video” and actually filmed in Iraq, it features Manuel singing his song while flying in his Black Hawk helicopter, a music video first. The TV stations and shows playing the video include: H2o Television (New York City); The Sound Chamber (Denver); VidDream (Wilmington, Philadelphia and Baltimore); Video Diversity (Omaha); Power Play Music TV (Newark, N.J.); Video Hits (Rochester, Syracuse and Buffalo, N.Y.); Envision/ Billboard DJ (Studio City, Calif.); The Musician’s Voice – People TV and Eye Music Network (Atlanta); Cox Cable (R.I.), and AUX TV/ Video Flow (Canada).
GI Jams ® is a multi-media project and company dedicated to showcasing and promoting the original songs and performances of our U.S. servicemen and servicewomen, active and veterans, all branches, ranks and rates. Founded by songwriters Denny Randell and Biddy Schippers, it has partnered with Rhino (Warner Music Group) for this first GI Jams Records™ compilation album released in late January 2012. The album features eight of the GI Jams web site’s most popular artists and bands, with more albums planned that will also feature additional GI Jams artists.
Other artists and bands on the album now receiving airplay are GI Jams rock bands American Attitude, with Air Force and Navy active duty members stationed in Jacksonville, Fla.; and Destruction Evolution, with members from San Antonio and Austin, Texas, including a 20-year Air Force veteran and an eight-year Army veteran. Both bands are being played on KAZY-FM in Cheyenne, Wyo. Vietnam veteran Rick Ulsky, a Hammond Organ player, is receiving jazz show airplay for his original instrumental track “In Rio” on WAER-FM in Syracuse, N.Y.
In addition to the website and live performances planned for this year, GI Jams has entered into an agreement with EMI Music Publishing Company, the world’s largest music publisher. The songs of a number of GI Jams members are now being administrated through GI Jams by EMI. Adrian Manuel’s songs, including “One Nation Under God” and “Freedom,” are among those now represented by EMI Music.
]]>GI JAMS ®, POPULAR MUSIC NETWORK THAT HIGHLIGHTS
MILITARY MUSICIANS, RELEASES ITS FIRST COMPILATION ALBUM
‘GI JAMS VOL 1: THE ORIGINAL MUSIC OF OUR MILITARY ARTISTS’ ON APRIL 5
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Hit Songwriters Denny Randell and Biddy Schippers,
Creators of GIJams.com, Debut Their First In a Series of Compilation
Recordings Featuring Top GI Jams Musical Artists
Songwriter/producer/artists, Denny Randell and Biddy Schippers launched their social music network and multi-media project GI Jams ® in November 2009, as a way to spotlight and promote the musical talents of our active duty, Veteran and reserve military artists of all branches, ranks and rates.
The project’s web site GIJams.com, provides the opportunity for military musicians to sign up and have their own profile pages featuring their original songs, performances, bios, pictures and blogs plus, downloads available for 99 cents a song with all profits going to those specific military artists.
The GIJams.com community has grown significantly since its start, as hundreds of military artists and writers have now joined, as well as the many of the artists’ fans and supporters, giving the organization the demand to release GI Jams, Vol. 1: The Original Music Of Our Military Artists, the first in a series of compilation recordings to be issued by GI Jams Records. The CD will be released April 5 and will be available for sale online at the GI Jams Store, by direct artists’ sales, as well as at retail locations. All profits from sales of this nationally distributed compilation album go to the artists.
GI Jams, Vol. 1: The Original Music Of Our Military Artists features 14 tracks by eight of the site’s most popular artists and bands (five still on active duty and three who are Veterans that served in Iraq, Kosovo and Vietnam). All of these artists performed live in the 2010 GI Jams’ Veterans Day Weekend Show at The Cannery Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
The artists featured are (in order of their appearance on the album): Corey Bower (Air Force Airman 1st Class ), Adrian Manuel (Army Chief Warrant Officer), Jerard Brewer (Marine LtCol), American Attitude (Air Force Master Sergeants Shawn Watchorn and Marc Meyers and Technical Sergeant Chris Henderson, and Navy Petty Officer First Class Matt Smithers), Destruction Evolution (Veteran Air Force Master Sergeant Steve Sinatra, Veteran Army Specialist Richie Ibanez and band mates Jim Littleton, Chris Peng and Donnie Nall), Vietnam Army Veteran Ric Ulsky, Dark & McDermid, (with Don Dark, Marine Vietnam Veteran who passed away while this album was being finalized, and band mate Rick McDermid) and Joe Speed Band, (Army Sergeants Jeremiah Eaton and Nathan Harvey).
The album also features two bonus “Battlefield Music Videos” filmed in Iraq between active duty missions; one by the Joe Speed Band performing “Cowboy Soldiers (Please Send Me A Beer)” and the other by Blackhawk pilot Adrian Manuel singing “Freedom” while flying in his helicopter (a ‘first ever done’ video).
Schippers says, “We know many people will want to purchase this extraordinary CD as a way to support the military and we’re excited that it’s so rich in musical talent and diverse styles, including great country, rock, pop-rock and even some wonderful inspirational songs – something for everyone, and we can all support them while enjoying their very special music.”
Randell and Schippers, the project’s founders and co-directors, have been longtime supporters of those who serve us in the military and launched GI Jams as, “a special way to thank and give back through music, which has been such a big part of our own lives, to help and support those musically talented artists who – rather than pursuing their own musical careers – have given themselves to protecting and defending our country.”
GI Jams, Vol 1 is the latest step in their journey to give back, though the pair performed their own most recent Randell & Schippers dance and video hit “Alice In Wonderland” on the 2009 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon in a medley with some of Denny’s classic hit songs, including “Working My Way Back To You” and “Let’s Hang On” - featured in Jersey Boys, the Tony awarded hit Broadway show, Smash Mouth’s “Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby,” “A Lover’s Concerto” and “Native New Yorker,” Denny’s home town anthem.
GI Jams has to date been highlighted in both the mainstream and military media, from Reuters, CNBC, Billboard.biz, and Celebrity Twitter—to top military publications including Military Times, Stars and Stripes and Military Spouse plus, upcoming coverage from Salute Magazine, Big Blend Radio and KJAG FM.
“It’s amazing that many of these songs were written in tents and barracks after difficult missions and many of these artists have told us that GI Jams has been an irreplaceable outlet for them while under those conditions – as is the feeling of appreciation they receive from all of us who support them.” Denny continues, “We can only imagine the kinds of stressful conditions our artists create under. And we are very excited to announce GI Jams’ release of this first compilation album to be able to present their great talent and have the privilege of sharing their musical passions with the world.”
Well-known songwriters Denny Randell and Biddy Schippers are supporting and bringing the musical talent of hundreds of Veterans and active duty soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen and National Guard members to the forefront via their cleverly titled project and website GIJams.com.
GI Jams launched in November 2009 with much fanfare among mainstream and military media, from CNBC, Billboard.biz and Celebrity Twitter—including a tweet from magician and TV personality Penn Jillette–to Purple Heart, Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Times.
Coinciding with the one-year anniversary since the site’s launch, GI Jams goes “live” for the first time with a highly anticipated Veterans Day Weekend Show Friday, November 12 at The Club in The Cannery Casino & Hotel in Las Vegas. The concert, which features performances by eight of the site’s most popular artists and bands, begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Cannery box office, or via phone (702) 507-5757 and online at www.cannerycasino.com.
“Biddy and I are thrilled when we hear how much GI Jams means to the many great musicians who also serve our country,” says Randell. “Artists are joining while based in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait…and many Vietnam veterans are on board too. Many have written to tell us that no one else has ever given them a place to put their music. We thought the concert would be a marvelous thing to raise awareness and bring more people into the experience of what we are doing while also finding another way to show appreciation for our troops. On the day after Veteran’s Day, we wanted to do something that is uplifting, positive and different.”
Scheduled performers at the GI Jams’ Veterans Day Weekend Show include Jacksonville rock band American Attitude; singer/songwriters Corey Bower and Adrian Manuel; Destruction Evolution, a San Antonio based southern rock/metal band; Marine Lt. Col. Jerard Brewer; songwriter, Hammond B-3 organ player Ric Ulsky and Rick McDermid, who will be performing songs he wrote and performed with his late partner, Don Dark, a marine who served in Vietnam, plus, country artists Joe Speed Band. 100% of the download profits on the site go to the military artists.
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