James Otto Gives Special Veterans Day Gift
James Otto has hit the airwaves with his touching new single, 'Soldier and Jesus,' and the tune takes on an even deeper meaning for the former Naval serviceman as he, and numerous other veterans, are honored Thursday. In recognition of Veteran's Day (November 11), he is offering a free download of 'Soldiers and Jesus' on all participating radio station websites from Monday, November 8 - Sunday, November 14.
James' roots are buried deep within the journals of military life. His father was an Army drill sergeant for 23 years, his grandfather is a Korean War veteran and James served in the Navy for a couple of years before heading to Nashville. Based on his history and family tree, the song, 'Soldiers & Jesus,' was one he felt wrote itself.
"I wrote this song with my friend Chris Wallin, and I think it is as powerful as anything I've written or been a part of," James tells The Boot. "The gist of the song is, in fact the chorus says, 'There's only two people that died for me / and they laid down their lives just so I could be free / they both went through Hell / beared crosses and shells / both got back up again after they fell / they never picked a fight / but they're there to pick up the pieces / God only knows where we'd be without Soldiers and Jesus.'"
James recently performed the song and his hit 'Just Got Started Lovin' You' for the Pentagon Channel in Washington, D.C., which can be seen on the channel's 'Command Performance,' as well as online at pentagonchannel.mil.
In other news, once you're finished watching football and stuffing yourself with turkey on Thanksgiving (November 25), click over to NBC to watch James perform with one of his heroes, Ronnie Milsap, on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' [12:35 AM ET].