Founders of the project Paul Brian and Joe Cantafio - plus a ton of other folks that made this project possible
Paul Brian here. When Joe and I sat down to write "about us" it certainly wasn’t just "us." A lot of really talented, dedicated and honorable people came together to make this all possible. They all did it for the right reasons, too. They all believe in our troops.
When we started out (in mid-October 2009) this was going to be just two cuts of spoken word and music. It evolved into the 11-cut collection you now have either just purchased or are about to purchase. It's our pleasure to tell you about "The Team" in no particular order:
Mike Magnusson
Pinnacle Advertising, Barrington, IL
I had recorded many commercials at Pinnacle and they had a terrific AVID studio. I needed something to lay down for Joe to record against and get the idea of the project. I called Mike and he readily volunteered his facilities to do our scratch tracks. He also led me to a remarkable patriot, Dave McNeil of WeatherTech floor mat fame, who will figure prominently in the future of what Joe and I do.
Michael Marks, Poet
--author of "A Soldier's Christmas"
Frankly, none of this would have been possible without the inspired writing talents of Michael Marks who graciously gave us permission to use his beautiful poem, “A Soldier’s Christmas.” His poem moved me to tears the first time I read it. It was rereading them on a night when I was in the hospital that made me want to record them and share the honor you give our service members with others. Michael, on behalf of GIs around the world who keep us “from the darkest of times,” we thank you. You have honored their service—and, sadly, in too many cases, their memory—to a level that inspired a large group of people to come together to share your words. We are in awe of your talent and join you in our own way to say “thank you” to all who wear—or have worn—the uniform. It is to those brave men and women that we dedicate this collection of music, spoken word and song at a most special time of the year.
Lesley Durkan and Karl Sederberg
CTSO Design, Oak Brook, IL
Lesley and Karl handled our technical design and project management, from the Web site to back end stuff you don’t see. They have immense talents in not just making tech, but turning tech into sales. In full disclosure, Lesley is my youngest kid and Karl is my golfing buddy and green reading mentor. They’d still be geniuses even if I didn’t have her in my will and him as my swing coach!
Benju Manderico and Ernest McGee
Green Ant Productions, Lisle, Ill.
Ben and Ernie made incredible contibutions to the Web site design and graphics. I’d be lying to you if I told you I understand what they do and how they do it. I just know we needed it, they did an amazing amount of work in a way short period of time and they delivered big time. Maybe over a drink some time they’ll bring Lesley and Karl along and tell Joe and me what they hell they do.
Jay Parkin, Veoba.com
and
Steven Racz, RPM Visual Media
Chicago, Ill.
As if I didn’t have enough characters in my life already, and then these guys come along. Jay is prior service Army and jumped immediately to say “Hell yeah, we’re on board for this deal,” and Steve followed him like a good running back follows a pulling guard for a TD. These guys do artist development. You see, I didn’t even know that we needed guys like this six weeks ago and now I can’t imagine how we could have done it without them. From telling us how to get this up on iTunes, Amazon and 155 other download sites, to suggesting a studio, they were there. Nice work, guys.
Soldiers
Christmas Project
A special shout out to Jon Sullivan (Jacksonville) and Kevin Hull (Chicago) of the Wounded Warrior Project who must have wondered multiple times if we were totally nuts or just a little bit nuts.
LTC Scott Bleichwehl US Army PAO Chicago
Thanks. Scott, for everything every time we need a military pro. You are that and more.
Major General Tom Bostick, US Army
Tommy--Excuse me, General Bostick, sir: I carry your coin with me every day to remind myself of who I am (or who I should try to be) and that in every way we can, we serve those who aren’t strong enough to stand for themselves. You taught me that Warrior Ethos is not something you leave at the door when you’re discharged. You reminded me, “If you were, you are,” and for that, sir, I am deeply endebted to you.
Lieutenant General Benjamin Freakley, CG, US Army Accessions Command.
Ben--excuse me, again--General Freakley, sir: Two years ago on the Army’s birthday I was present when you gave the oath to twenty new soldiers in Chicago. You explained the oath thoughtfully and eloquently, and finished by saying, “at the end of these words we’re going to ask God for a little help to get it done.” I know you made as deep an impression on them as you did on me. As Joe and I embarked on what would have otherwise been a completely ill-timed and underfunded mission in trying to get this album made, your words were inspirational. I don’t believe we could have done this without some Divine intervention. I was proud and impressed that a 3-star genuine “tough guy” like you has the right stuff at his core.
LTC John “Ed” Box, US Army Chicago Recruiting Battallion and all of your incredible NCOs, EM and civilians: The "Warriors" of Chicago are an awesome force of pros. Thank you for opening your doors to a former soldier and making him feel at home.
Captain Mike Saubert, Sr. (US Army, Ret.)
For our album artwork that blew us away (but he’s used to blowing up stuff, so we’re not surprised)
Vince Lawrence and Bill Izzo
Engineers Brian Joseph Gaynor and Nathan Rogers
Keyboards by Jere McCalister
Slang Music Group, Chicago, Ill.
I’ve recorded in a lot of rooms over the years, but all you have to do is listen to my voice or Joe’s guitar and you’ll know that the Slang guys know exactly how to get all of the squeal out of a pig. Wow. What a warm room with amazingly warm microphones, texture and nuance. And mixing was left for the boss, Vince himself, to do. Bravi, sir! Bill Izzo sat with us for two solid nights, offering suggestions on how to make our recordings better. He was one of Chicago’s studio pioneers and offered himself and Slang because it was the right cause--then he opened up his contact book and said, “Hey, these guys have something very special going on.”
You guys are very special. Thanks.
Wayne Brzycki
Fish Eye Photo
Wayne is part of a group we call our “Patriot’s Network” that meets every month in a pub in the Chicago suburbs. We were all put together by Phil Dana, formerly of Sears Holdings Company and now of Amazon, as like-minded people who wanted to help the military and veterans. Wayne heard about our project and offered up his talent--and his Canon camera--to shoot us for some of the pub shots. We only broke three of his lenses!
Thanks to all the Videographers
and the Photographers at the shoot
Copyright Soldiers Christmas Project 2009 All Rights Reserved
There is never a big enough
thank you to all who helped
Meet The People Behind The Project
Bringing life to the words of poets and the Bible for the Soldiers Christmas Project is Chicago radio legend Paul Brian. A fixture in the Chicago radio scene for more than three decades, Paul’s interpretations for this CD are going to be as recognizable generations from now as one of the classics of Christmas music.
Paul is not only a veteran broadcaster, but also a veteran of the US Army, serving after college at the end of the Vietnam War era. Coincidentally, his last permanent duty station while active was at Ft. Sheridan working for the Army’s recruiting command. Now, years later, Brian serves on the Grassroots Advisory Board for the Chicago Battalion of USAREC.
“I guess this is one of those cases where if you stay in one place long enough, the world comes around for a second round!” said Brian. “I’m proud and honored to again work with the Army and have accepted a board position from Operation Homefront Illinois, as well, to help in any way I can.
"My involvement with Wounded Warrior Project goes back to the late Tony Snow’s love of the group. I met both Tony and WWP when he was doing weekends for us at WLS where I do my Saturday morning program. He was so devoted to them and that enthusiasm was infectious. I love those guys!”
Far from a “sidelines” kind of guy, Brian actively participates in Army events, including jumping with the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team this past August, and strapping on a helmet in a prep event (no, NOT the big cars!) before the Chicago stop on the NASCAR tour and taking to the race track against Indy Car Champ Bobby Rahal to raise money for the Wounded Warriors.
“I think Bobby gave me a break a couple of times and we finished a lot closer than I thought we would!” commented Brian. “Bobby is a great competitor and friend, but he wasn’t going to give up the win. That’s OK, as we were still able to send our Warriors a nice check.”
Brian’s radio presence in the Windy City most recently includes a 14-year stint of hosting “Drive Chicago,” a weekly automotive talk program that airs on WLS AM890 every Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Prior to that, Paul spent significant time down the dial at WGN AM720, as well, and was one of the early founding personalities at WCLR (now “The Mix” 101.9 FM) before going to Dallas for Bonneville Broadcasting.
His love of cars—and knowledge of them—landed him in in a three-year stint on the management team for the Alfa Romeo IndyCar project based Milan, Italy with drivers Roberto Guerrero, Al Unser Sr and Danny Sullivan. “Awesome lunch and people, but the cars weren’t quite fast enough!” said Brian. “But it was an invaluable experience that led me to my next 16 years.
Since 1994 Paul has served as communications director and spokesman for the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, producer of the mammoth annual Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. In that capacity, Brian is responsible for coordinating thousands of domestic and international media who arrive to view the nation's largest auto exposition. Paul is an accomplished chef, a past world champion (Terlingua, ’83) chili cook, and an enthusiastic golfer. He recently was invited to play in the BMW Championship Pro-Am Tournament with Chicago-based Tour player Luke Donald. He was also made a lifetime member of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) for his countless hours in promoting the joy and camaraderie of Pro and Amateur sports car racing in America.
Brian was a 2009 inductee into the Motorsport Hall of Fame Museum, joining the ranks with countless other legends of the automotive sporting industry.
Since the first time he picked up a guitar at the age of twelve, Joe Cantafio was headed for great things. Sure, he played in groups. He was the lead-singer and guitarist of one of Chicago’s top rock and roll bands; Jade 50’s, later known as Jade.
His voice is has been a part of Americana since the late 70’s, heard on TV and radio commercials singing the praises of Shasta, McDonalds, Betty Crocker, Huffy Bikes and New Balance Shoes, to name a few.
He has performed on “American Bandstand,” and was the music director of “Dick Clark’s Good Ol’ Rock and Roll Show” at the age of twenty-two. He toured with Wolfman Jack and has performed, on stage-side by side with legends like Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Del Shannon, Three Dog Night, BTO, Rick Springfield, America, BS&T, and countless others.
The songs he penned have been heard from sea to shinning sea. His tribute to the Vietnam Soldier, a song he wrote called “They’re All Not On The Wall,” (Itunes) reached out nationally and received rave reviews.
As a soloist, you really get to know him. He’s a storyteller with something to say. He’s an American who loves his country and makes you feel that same pride. Joe takes rock classics like “Born To Run” and “With Or Without You” and makes them his own. On the other hand, his original music makes you feel what he felt as he wrote the song. He can make you laugh, get you up singing along or pull you in as he melts into a love song.
After the tragedy of September 11th, Cantafio wrote a three-hour solo effort and toured with the firefighters of New York’s Engine Company 55. His “Let Freedom Sing” tour went coast-to-coast receiving critical acclaim. Sometimes the show went five hours; without a break! Cantafio said; “During the ‘Let Freedom Sing Tour,’ I was in awe and honored to be standing with New York’s bravest, firefighters who put it on the line at a time when the world was watching and needing a real hero. The brave men of FDNY Engine Company 55 are those heroes.”
In 2004 Cantafio toured Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Africa and UAE with his new band, The 101st Rock Division. A highlight of the tour was performing American “rock and roll” on the steps of Saddam Hussein’s Baghdad Palace. Joe’s solo portion of their show brought standing ovations from the troops. Cantafio said, “During our tour overseas performing for America’s finest men and women, I felt at home. Some of the greatest people I have ever met, I met on that tour.”
In October of 2004, Joe Cantafio received the “2004 American Patriot Award” from the Exchange Club of Naperville, Illinois. Cantafio’s performance at the Exchange Club’s Ribfest with the New York firefighters received national attention and showed how one person can really make a difference.
Joe Cantafio continues to perform with his band, “The 101st Rock Division,” and as a soloist as he tours US Military bases, VA Hospitals, schools, colleges, conventions and concert venues as he tells his incredible story through his music.
Joe is the co-founder of The Forgotten Heroes Foundation, and was recently inducted into the Oak Park and River Forest High School Hall of Fame, and honor that he never expected. In August 2009 he co-founded US Freedom Gear, LLC where Joe serves as the CEO. US Freedom Gear donates $1.00 from the sale of their items to “Heroes at Home,” helping Veterans and their families. Joe also serves at the Executive Director of the National Veterans Museum, expected to open in San Antonio, Texas in 2012.
In November of 2009, Chicago radio personality and friend, Paul Brian contacted Joe and together they partnered to record “Soldiers Christmas Project.” Joe produced, performed, and arranged all the music with the exception of the keyboards on a haunting song Joe wrote for the CD titled “Heroes at War.” With Cantafio’s music backing him, Brian, a former Soldier, used his incredible voice to bring support and raise awareness for the American Troops during the Christmas Holidays. The CD is supported by the Wounded Warriors Project, an incredible organization that supports and cares for wounded American Veterans.
Joe Cantafio Biography
Paul Brian Biography
