There are stories that deserve more than just being told. They deserve to be felt.
That’s the heart behind Enlisted: Songs from a Veteran, a program from Veterans Empowered Together that gives veterans a voice through music. It’s not about writing the perfect song, it’s about capturing real moments, real emotions, and real experiences that come from a life of service.
With the help of Randy Lanham and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the program has continued to grow into something truly special. Their partnership has been a driving force in bringing these stories to life, providing veterans with both a platform and a place where their voices can be heard and preserved. Recently, that mission came to life in a powerful way for Army veteran Chaz McKay.
Chaz participated in the Enlisted program and chose to tell a deeply personal story. While deployed to Afghanistan, his wife Allison gave birth to their daughter, Paislie Rae. Like many service members separated from their families, Chaz faced a quiet but heavy question that so many carry during deployment. Would his daughter know who he was when he came home? That question became the foundation of his song.
Working alongside Brian Basham and Randy Lanham, Chaz helped write the song, turning his emotions into lyrics that reflect both the weight of deployment and the love of a father longing to be home. The track was recorded at Gray Sky Music, where the story was transformed into a professionally produced song that now captures a moment in time for Chaz and his family. But the most meaningful moment came at the end of the process.
Chaz and his daughter, Paislie Rae, stepped into the studio together to add the final touches to the track. What began as a story about missing his little girl turned into a moment where father and daughter created something side by side. A full-circle moment that words alone could never fully capture.
The impact of that moment didn’t stop in the studio. At South Hancock, students gathered for a special assembly where they heard firsthand what this program is all about. With the help of Allison and Paislie Rae, Chaz was surprised with a custom poster featuring the lyrics to their song, along with a QR code that allows anyone to instantly listen.
It was more than a presentation. It was a moment of recognition, not just for Chaz’s service, but for his story. That is what Enlisted: Songs from a Veteran is all about. It’s about giving veterans a new way to be heard. It’s about turning memories into music. And it’s about creating something that families can hold onto for generations.
You can listen to Chaz’s song and many others from the program on any streaming platform. Simply search Enlisted: Songs from a Veteran and experience the stories for yourself.
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