Posted on 06/30/2004 5:50:58 AM PDT by Lost Highway
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There is a new force in the music industry, a dynamic duo whose passion is writing and music; they are both from Florence and their time is now. Aaron Sain and Frank Highland are the Right Brothers and their first CD , “For My Country” has just been released for public consumption. It is more than appropriate that these two writer/musicians call the Renaissance City home considering our city’s richly diverse musical heritage. Aaron moved to Florence with his family in the fifth grade and remained here until he began college at Freed Hardeman University. Aaron still calls Florence home and visits his family here; his dad is the preacher at Wood Avenue Church of Christ. In the early ‘90’s Aaron moved to Nashville to pursue his dream of making it in the music business. About that time the music Aaron listened to was phasing out. “The big hair bands of the 80’s whose music I enjoyed so much, such as Def Leppard, Poison and Bon Jovi, were suddenly just gone. And when the music scene went alternative, I turned to country.” That switch to country music set ablaze a passion for songwriting and a hunger for anything he could learn about producing music. Writing incessantly, Aaron was supporting his wife and new baby with graphics design and sales jobs. Though every spare moment was spent in his studio behind their home poring over music and lyrics, Aaron was experiencing no success with the songs he was writing. “In 1993 I decided I’d had enough; it was time to stop chasing a dream. I loaded up all of my equipment and decided to put it in consignment. I got halfway to the store and I just could not go through with it.” “I prayed about it and then turned it over to God,”Aaron explained. With the full support of his wife, he decided to give writing his all for one more year. Within six months of that decision, Aaron had landed a job as a staff writer with a big music company. Several years later, he had a pivotal run-in with an old acquaintance from home - Frank Highland. Frank was born and raised in Florence and while he and Aaron knew each other casually, they were never close friends. However, like Aaron his obsession with music and writing began at an early age. Frank began playing guitar, and trying to write songs at fifteen. “When I had mastered three chords on the guitar, I began writing songs day and night,” said Frank. “I was always writing, even if it was just copying the lyrics to songs on the radio to get a feel for the formula.” While at UNA studying commercial music, Frank wrote a song and sent it to Fame Studios. Though the song was never recorded, Frank was encouraged to learn the big music guys felt his songwriting had potential. And it later opened the door for another song to be recorded by the Mel Tillis Publishing Company. Frank’s degree in Recording Industry Management from Middle Tennessee State University and his passion for writing paid off in 1996 when he landed a job as a songwriter with McGraw Music, Tim McGraw’s music company. He also later worked as a staff writer at Music Genesis. During that time Frank met up with Aaron on Music Row, altering the course of the future for both men. Frank and Aaron booked a time to write together and soon began attending the same church. The terrorist attacks in 2001 affected even the music industry in Nashville. So, when the music company where Frank was working closed, he opened his own swimming pool maintenance business. “I was servicing pools and cutting grass to support my family. And in the evenings I was writing with Aaron at the studio,” Frank explained. The two became best friends whose love for writing and interest in politics began to meld. “We became pretty much addicted to Fox News,” said Aaron laughingly. Frank added, “Aaron and I agreed that the standards and values of this country have just plummeted in the last fifteen years. Everything that is right has been called into question; decency is under attack.” Aaron and Frank began writing politically edged songs which express their beliefs and their love for this country. Three months of late nights turning into early mornings birthed their first album together, The Right Brothers. Frank explained, “We are dedicated to waking up the silent majority, motivating them to make a stand for the conservative principles that were the original premise of this country.” Aaron agreed, “We’re just preaching to the choir; so many people feel as passionately about America as we do. We hope our music will stir those folks up.” One of the songs, entitled Hey, Hollywood! is their response to the America-bashing actors and actresses who criticize President Bush for taking the war to Iraq. The website, www.rightmarch.com, recently posted a link to the song, and in 72 hours, 15,000 people had downloaded it. The two artists began to realize that the political landscape is changing. “One of the first songs we wrote for the album was From Here On Out. It is our battle cry,” Frank stated. “Being conservative by nature, we both began to take more of an interest in politics during the mid-‘90’s. We live in the greatest country on earth and it will only stay that way if good people speak their minds, voice their opinions and cast their votes. As the famous saying goes, ‘All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.’ As for us, political apathy is no longer an option,” Frank added. Like many Americans, the Right Brothers felt inadequate in their ability to express their thanks to our troops. “In some small way we wanted to say what was in our hearts,” Aaron said. Frank came to the table with most of the title song, For My Country, already finished. As it turned out I was able to help him finish it”. The second verse says, turned on the news first thing this morning, saw where two more soldiers died so I could sleep in peace last night in my country. “That is exactly what happened to me,” Aaron said. “I woke up - flipped on the TV and the first words I heard were, ‘Two more American soldiers were killed today (last night) in Iraq.’ This song seems to be touching people in a special way and we're just thankful to be a part of it.” Aaron and Frank also celebrated the release of their album by shipping a case of CD's to the troops in Afghanistan and the spouses at 101st Airborne in Ft. Campbell, KY. The CD includes a total of 10 original songs and is being officially released on July 4, although copies may be purchased now from their website at www.therightbrothers.com. Copies may also be obtained by mailing a check or money order for $15 per CD to: The Right Brothers, 628 Brook Drive, Antioch, TN 37013 and they will get a copy right out to you. For My Country is from the heart and soul of Aaron Sain and Frank Highland to yours. For more information about these two talented native sons, you may visit their website, www.therightbrothers.com
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I listened to several clips. I've never been a fan of country music but I'm quickly starting to change. They guys are wonderful! Their site includes sound bytes from their CD.
Thanks for the post!
Personally, I believe music should remain non-political. It's like the comment Michael Jordan made when Democrats tried to get him to endorse some of their candidates: "Hey, Republicans buy shoes, too." Why alienate half of your audience (or 95% in the case of the Dixie Chicks) just for the temporary thrill of sticking it to politicians you disagree with?
I understand where you are coming from, but, in my opinion there is something that emanates from a song created from truly held beliefs. If ones primary interest is selling units then Mr. Jordan's opinions are correct. While "The Right Brothers" would love to sell CD's the songs were not written with the primary purpose of being sold.
btt
Music is, and has always been a political device. From it's earliest inceptions, music has been used as a tool for political aims. To assert that music should be apolitical ignores well over two thousand years of musical history, and deprives artists from making their individual statements, no matter how misguided.
Without political connections, Beethoven's symphonies (particulary No. 3, or, the 'Eroica') would not exist. The music of the Renaissance was so political that the ruling duchal families of Italy regarded their staff musicians as integral parts of thier political power. Dmitri Shostakovich was almost sent to a Russian gulag over his music, but he used musical devices to satirize and poke fun at the Communist governments to the delight of the Russian people. The classical connections go on and on, effecting virtually every composer in every era.
Even more politics in music can be found infiltrating every single modern / popular genre: jazz (American race politics, drugs), rock (jeez... pick a band, but how about the Beatles for starters, or maybe all three Woodstocks), country (The Chixie Di... I mean, Dixie Chicks), blues (which dramatically polarized white America), and crosses every international border. Take for example the 1988 "Singing Revolution" of Estonia, in which over 300,000 Estonian citizens sang the songs which the vanquished Communist government banned.
You want apolitical music? Great. Watch American Idol, in which talentless hacks skillessly caterwaul transparent and insipid pop tunes for the voyeuristic, untrained masses. As for me, I prefer the music I listen to to have a message, even a misguided one I might not agree with, or at least some entertainment value.
"Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is the best."
Frank Zappa, "Packard Goose" from "Joe's Garage"
Studied music history did ya?
Bachelors in Music Theory and Composition, finishing my Master's in Orchestral and Choral Conducting, going on to get my PhD in Musicology.
Conservative musicians of the world unite!
Wow, that's impressive. I've always loved music of pretty much any kind. Although when I was in college I was too busy being 20 years old to realize the opportunities to study music. My niece is getting her masters at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss as they say) in some area of music. She plays clarinet. Do you play an insturment or are you a singer?
My primary instrument is voice, and I 'gig out' quite frequently. I'm also an active organist (work at a church across the street from my university) and a general keyboard / music technology guy.
A friend of mine recently transferred from U. Miss. to the university, where I'm currently working and studying (well, at least for the next 10 months, 4 days, 1 hour and 30 minutes or so... but who's counting).
Tell your niece to keep it up... especially if she's a free-thinking conservative musician going into music education.
The lyrics for these guys have popped up on FR recently.
Are we running commercials now??
Correct me if I am wrong, but, I was under the impression it was proper form to post articles from news web sites about all things conservative.
Best of luck to you and (noticing you are a recent registrant) welcome to FR.
Not a problem man, whatever spins your turn table. Just "get er done"
Welcome amigo. I am new myself, you will have more fun than you have ever had here. Enjoy
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