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News > 18 Oct 2004
The offer came from Real2Reel Records after Preston and buddy Lance
Cpl. Nick Hoffmann recorded the video of "Good, Good America," a
song Preston wrote after hearing the phrase chanted over and over
by a group of Iraqi girls as his unit opened a new school. The
video, made with borrowed cameras, depicts images of the war in
Iraq interspersed with Preston performing the song acoustically. A
friend put up the web site, complete with the original video which
people can still view for free, and word of "Good, Good America"
quickly began to spread - first through the soldiers", their family
and friends, and then the media. The video"s gritty, real-life
images and simple yet profound lyrics, will have everyone not just
seeing, but feeling the message that Preston is, successfully,
getting across. The message that the news isn"t all bad and our
troops are doing good things for communities throughout Iraq.
Preston has a hit on his hands, but "Good, Good America" is just
one of 120 songs the 22-year-old has written and it"s success, so
far, is a start, but Preston knows that most Americans have no idea
that many military units are in Iraq to rebuild hospitals, schools,
playgrounds, and hopes. "I have traded my rifle for a guitar, but
the fight goes on," Preston explained. "I hope my music can be
heard nationwide, so people will see our side from the trenches and
not just what the media shows them." Preston has been working with
the Real2Reel since just days after returning to the U.S. from
Iraq. The "Good, Good America" single has been recorded and will be
released shortly. Preston says: "Before any of my music is heard,
America should hear "Good, Good America" and understand that the
song is saying. The men and women of the armed forces don"t have an
easy job. I hope this song will help the American public see how
much our troops need their support."