Aaron Tippin stands in front of a
huge American flag - 30' X 60', to be exact. As the cameras
roll and the flag waves, Aaron sings a new song, "Where The Stars And
Stripes And The Eagle Fly." It's a tune that was actually written two
and a half years ago, and was slated to appear on his album People
Like Us.
"For whatever reason, we just didn't cut it," says Aaron. "At that
time I didn't know why. I do know now. This song was more God-sent
than I thought."
Moved by the tragic images of the Sept. 11 attacks, Aaron wanted
to do something as a musical response. So he rushed into the studio
to record the patriotic song.
"Originally we were going to re-cut 'You've Got To Stand For
Something,'" says Aaron of his 1990 Top 10 debut hit. "Then I
remembered this song."
Aaron's team of musicians, engineers and producers worked around
the clock to finish the single and rush it to radio. "In less than 48
hours, it was ready," he says. "Those guys worked triple overtime to
get it done because they knew how important it was."
Proceeds from the song are being donated by Aaron's label, Lyric
Street Records, to the Nashville area chapter of The American Red
Cross disaster relief. The video crew also donated their time.
Aaron's career, interestingly, was launched under a banner of
patriotism. "You've Got To Stand For Something," his first hit
single, "took me to Saudi Arabia with Bob Hope to entertain the
troops in the Gulf," he says. Aaron adds that he would be ready to go
back "in a minute" to entertain American military personnel.
Recalling the first few times he performed the new song onstage,
Aaron admits, "It was difficult. I'd start talking about it onstage
and start crying. Boy, it gets to you, to see so many people so
touched.
"I hope that this song is everybody's voice. And I hope it gives
another rally song for our troops to get behind, because once again,
we're giving them another tough job to do."
- Wendy Newcomer
Published on: November 13, 2001