Why I Write and the
Stories Behind the Songs
by Kelly Trudell
God really put it on my heart to write songs with a message- real, emotionally deep and spiritual. I am not afraid to ‘go there’ with a song. I feel that I am God’s co-writer. Life is too short not to take the time to connect with people you think are strangers. If you are willing and open-hearted, you might learn something, good or bad, from these chance encounters to make it all work for your benefit.
I have been living and learning and loving and putting it into songs for 29 years. Only in the last 3 years have I felt I’m finally getting it.
On a personal note:
I am married to my wonderful husband Chris Bracey- a talented, hardworking, salt-of-the-earth, no nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is whether you like it or not- kind of guy. We have a beautiful and awesome daughter Danielle (from my previous marriage). She is 18, adventurous, strong-willed, and determined to experience life on her terms. (Hmm, I wonder where she gets it from?)
About the album:
Written and recorded in Nashville, TN with my producer Daniel “Gray Daniels” Creach. It took us 3 years to write and produce this album. I drove to Nashville every month to work on the album, perform at the writers clubs, take songwriters workshops, and pitch songs. I formed relationships with many talented writers and musicians. What a blast! God is amazing how he weaves souls together for His purpose.
About the songs:
“Pray”
This song is dedicated to Patty Caler. Patty was my sister Cathy’s dear friend from childhood. In an act of domestic violence she lost her life when her husband Duane killed her and then killed himself. They left behind two teenage sons. Domestic violence affects us all. One never forgets such a tragedy, especially those left behind to try to make sense of it all. Sometimes the only way to get through these hard times is to “pray.”
“Vigilant Soldier”
Again this song brought to life by the sacrifice of three soldiers who fought for our freedom in Iraq. Here in Jackson County Michigan, where I am from, lost its own Matthew Soper, D.J. Wheeler, and Brent Beeler. Let us not forget them or the men and women who continue their eternal vigilance and service for the safety and protection of this great nation under God.
“Little Guy”
When my family was seeing our dear friend Kevin Chase of Jackson’s 1461st off for his fourth tour in Iraq, I noticed 6 women soldiers standing at attention along with the other men in uniform. Me being a mother I started to wonder who these women were leaving behind for the call of duty. As the buses were getting ready to leave, they were saying goodbye to their kids and loved ones. That tore me up. I put my sunglasses on so these “mother soldiers” couldn’t see the tears roll down my face. I went home that afternoon and wrote “Little Guy”, a song about a mother soldier saying goodbye to her son.
“What She Never Had”
My daughter Danielle is the love of my life. She is my heart and a part of me. It is heart-wrenching to watch my daughter go through her own pain and anguish in dealing with her father’s rejection and indifference of her. I asked her if she ever missed her dad and she told me, “How can you miss what you’ve never had?” I will never understand how one can abandon their own child. The scars remain even when you can’t see them.
“Mother Teresa”
Mother Teresa was the most inspirational woman, a true modern day saint of our time. She was an amazing woman who truly walked in love serving others. I try to walk in love too but I often fall short of the mark, saying, “Well God I messed up this time didn’t I?” I keep trying. Mother Teresa is a role model and someone to aspire to.
“My Life Is Running Me”
Sometimes I feel like things are out of control. There are always consequences for the choices I make- good or bad. Life is not easy, nor is it meant to be. I ask God for strength- He gives me hardships, I ask for wisdom- He gives me problems to work out. But through it all, God is right there as long as I keep my eyes on Him.
“Let Sleeping Dogs Lie”
This song rocks! Just a great song, visceral. Yes, I have had my heart broken a few times, oh well, love goes on. Sometimes though, you do meet those guys that just want to hang on, to use you. I get pretty ferocious when I encounter dishonesty. Trust is everything.
“Forgiveness”
Another ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’ song. Actually, a friend confided in me about her husband cheating on her. She was devastated. I have been in her shoes at one time in my life. It hurts. I empathize with her. This song is for Barb.
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| How I came to write
the song "Cold Sweat"
by Kelly Trudell
I
was talking with my dad one night about his brothers who served in
Vietnam. He told me about how Uncle John flew the Cobra gun ship as
well as the Huey medivac and Uncle Paul was a combat engineer. Both of
his brothers served two tours in Vietnam. My Uncle Simon was a marine
who also served in Vietnam.
I asked dad if his brothers ever
talked to him about the war. My dad said: "no, but I will tell you what
I never forgot. When your Uncle Paul got wounded they sent him home
with shrapnel in his hip. I went to go pick him up and when he got off
the bus, some guy came up and spit in his face."
As my dad was telling me this, he had tears in his eyes. My heart grieves for my father as well as for my uncles.
That
heaviness on my heart is God's way of letting me know that it is time
to write. It is as if God taps me on the shoulder and says "let's get
to work, let's change hearts with this song". I am God's co-writer.
What a blessing it is to use the gifts He gave me for His purpose.
My Mission:
This song "Cold Sweat" is now available for download at this site. One dollar ($) of every download will go into an account to help meet the needs of veterans.
I
want to raise awareness of the Vietnam veterans diligence in serving
the needs of our vets returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. The Vietnam
vet has a tenacious spirit. They want to ensure that "never again" will
a soldier serving his country be treated with disrespect.
The
Vietnam veterans are there at every deployment, every homecoming, in VA
hospitals and at funerals. . . I truly believe they are profound care
givers of today’s veterans.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
There's More:
To purchase Kelly's new CD which features COLD SWEAT - Click HERE
She is also offering a 2-Pak Special - buy two, keep one, and we send the other one off to an active duty soldier with your personal note attached. Read MORE
Watch the COLD SWEAT VIDEO performed live at a Jackson County Vietnam Veterans meeting - Click HERE
See Kelly meeting and presenting Lee Greenwood with a Vet's Quilt. And see how you can help with the A Quilt for a Vet program - Click HERE Hear and watch Lee Greenwood sing "God Bless the USA" - Click HERE Visit his site - Click HERE
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