"Welcome Me Home" by Michelle Penn
Singer Michelle Penn Honors Military Families with ‘Welcome Me Home”
Proceeds benefit Fisher House Foundation
Los Angeles –Indie rock musician Michelle Penn’s newest single, “Welcome Me Home,” and companion website, WelcomeMeHome.com, honor America’s military families. Inspired by Penn’s strong connection to the armed forces, song and merchandise sales benefit Fisher House Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping military families.
“Welcome Me Home” is currently available on iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby for 99 cents. 25 cents from each song download goes directly to Fisher House Foundation. “Welcome Me Home” Dog Tag Window Decals and Tour Edition CDs are also available for purchase at WelcomeMeHome.com for $6 and $10 respectively, with half of the profits benefiting Fisher House Foundation.
Penn wrote “Welcome Me Home” from the perspective of a soldier about to return home from deployment. The lyrics capture feelings that undoubtedly arise when coping with a lengthy separation from loved ones.
“As a songwriter, I wanted to help in the only way that I knew how – through music,” said Penn. “I have a real appreciation for those who make sacrifices for our country. My hope is that the song will be heard, create awareness and ultimately make a positive impact – because soldiers and their families deserve our respect and appreciation.”
The song’s accompanying music video features real-life footage of soldiers’ homecomings. The video shows the raw emotion of soldiers and their families as they are reunited. Families can submit photos and videos on WelcomeMeHome.com, which will be featured in an ever-changing music video available for viewing on YouTube. The current video has reached over 20,000 YouTube views and was aired nationally on E! News with Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic and various FOX affiliates in conjunction with Veterans Day.
When asked what inspired her to launch the “Welcome Me Home” campaign, Penn turns to memories of her grandfather. “My grandfather served in the Navy for 30 years, and I loved listening to his countless stories of faraway travels. It wasn’t until much later that I gained a full understanding of the sacrifice he made for his country.My own mother spent many years without her father around while he was deployed.Thousands of military families make that same sacrifice today and I wanted to do something to honor and support them.”
In addition to launching the website, Penn is playing benefit shows to raise even more money and awareness for the Welcome Me Home project. She hopes her 2011 touring schedule will take her to several military bases where she can continue to play in front of troops and their families. Says Penn, “I can’t believe how much military families have embraced this project and what a true blessing it has been to be a part of it. I continue
to be inspired by the stories and pictures that families have shared with me personally and on my website’s Welcome Wall. For instance, I received a wonderful email over the holidays from the owner of a printing company in Detroit. He heard about ‘Welcome Me Home’ during a radio interview and wrote to tell me of his own grandfather’s sacrifice during WWII. His grandfather founded the printing company he now runs, and in honor of his memory, he purchased ‘Welcome Me Home’ decals for each of his employees, making a donation on their behalf. Knowing that the song makes a real impact with listeners keeps me working harder to gain even more exposure.”
About Michelle Penn
Michelle Penn is a true chick rocker, proud to continue the tradition established by Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett and Sheryl Crow. Her nationwide touring schedules have brought her meetings and collaborations with musical favorites as well as with other rising stars – all who shared their craft and inspired her further. She has shared stages with John Mayer, Sarah McLachlan, Jeff Buckley, Jason Mraz and the Go-Go’s. Penn’s five CD releases:Red Five, Last Laugh, 2 Good 4 U, How Do You Live and Running from the Seasons are all available through iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby. The Detroit native currently resides in Los Angeles. For more information visitwww.michellepenn.com
About Fisher House
Fisher House is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform by donating “comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to loved ones at stressful times – during hospitalization for unexpected illness, disease or injury.
There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center to assist families in need, ensuring they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Annually, the Fisher House program serves more than 11,000 families, and has made available nearly three million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990. For more information visit www.fisherhouse.org.
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