Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary Through Music
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, it’s hard to overlook the vital role of art and storytelling. In a special initiative, Breitbart reached out to some talented songwriters and artists from Nashville, inviting them to create original songs that express their sentiments about the nation. What you see in the acoustic performance is quite special; it’s the first time audiences are hearing these songs, and the artists are performing them live for the very first time. In collaboration with SiriusXM, a broadcast featuring these unique songs will air closer to July 4th. We are excited to introduce:
Scotty Hastings, a singer-songwriter who only began playing guitar six years ago. His rapid rise in the music world has been nothing short of impressive. In a relatively short span, he’s secured a publishing deal, opened for notable musicians like Jelly Roll, Lee Brice, and Dave Grohl, and even paired with Dolly Parton and Lee Brice for a project involving Trace Adkins. He’s also had the honor of performing on the iconic Grand Ole Opry stage.
What an incredible journey, but that’s just part of it… To truly appreciate Hastings, we should look back to April 2011, when a former Army infantryman fought for his life in Afghanistan after being shot 10 times at close range. “Thank God I’m still here,” he reflected. This experience marked the start of a new chapter; music became his escape from PTSD and depression.
Hastings’ contribution to Breitbart’s American Soundtrack is a collaboration with respected Nashville hit writers Joe Leathers and Skip Black. Leathers has penned hits for artists like Lee Brice and Tim McGraw, while Black, a renowned producer, has worked with acts including Gary Allan and Craig Morgan. Bringing these two talents together with Hastings has resulted in something truly special.
In discussing their creative direction, they expressed a desire to highlight “the people of this country, the ones who built it—the soldiers who bravely charged forward and the individuals who crossed bridges in search of human rights.”
Leathers elaborated, “The main idea was that while we can read history, it’s now our duty to pass it on. Scotty remarked that, ‘we are the story.’ That’s how we see America; it’s not just something we observe from afar.”
And the poignant lyrics remind us: We still have lines left to write…
The contribution of Hastings alongside Leathers and Black paints a vivid picture through their song, “Story.” It’s a powerful narrative reflecting the struggle, triumphs, and collective experience of a nation.
