"Home" by Mike Ragogna and Dobie Gray
Initially, the video for "Home" was intended to be the added content on the enhanced CD portion of my new album Summerland, and also a potential awareness and fundraising tool for charitable organizations. Of course, I eventually was going to post it on YouTube with the album's release. But when the 4000th US soldier died in Iraq, I immediately had to post it as an attempt to make some kind of contribution to the national discussion of our continued, confusing presence there.
The song itself was written more out of frustration than as a rallying cry. And if I was frustrated, I realized how I could never imagine how frustrated our US soldiers must be. But I tried to through this song, thinking it might offer something lacking in the war debate -- a soldier's possible perspective. With some close, talented friends such as director Ramon Mentor, the video was created in order to give voice to those extraordinary men and women who have fallen and those still fighting in Iraq.
Though it easily could have stayed on one topic, "Home" sets out to be even more ambitious, offering a take on this endless war's ramifications. I feel that our lack of preparedness and inability to cope properly with national disasters such as post-Katrina New Orleans goes hand-in-hand with our inability to end the Iraq war. I still find it maddening that so much of our National Guard, whose help in larger numbers clearly would have made a difference, wasn't even in our nation during that disaster. To present that particular ramification, I needed to duet with someone who honestly offered that perspective. I called my friend, singer/songwriter Dobie Gray ("Drift Away"), and asked if he would join me on the vocal track. Having previously participated in driving essentials to New Orleans immediately after the disaster, he agreed, contributing his own passionate vocals to the cause.
As I was reviewing and choosing shots from JB Letchinger's early Katrina aftermath footage (originally intended for his own documentary on the subject), a life-changing opportunity occurred. Business sent me to New Orleans, and while I was there, I wanted to see for myself and document the progress that had been made since the flood. With cameraman Richard Sprinkle additionally serving as guide and teacher, we drove around the Lower 9th Ward and other parishes. It was heartbreaking to see the sheer amount of remaining damage. Another ramification of this war became clear. With all of our money going into funding the Iraq machine, we blatantly were not taking care of business at home.
That's the back story on the project, with a nod to my producer John X Volaitis who lovingly guided the track from a simple guitar/vocal demo to the more interpretive arrangement it became. "Home" was created with equal parts love, anger and catharsis, and I appreciate your interest in both it and its origin, even if you don't agree with its message. But the fact that I have the opportunity to even present any view at all, controversial or otherwise, illustrates what's so great about this country. And I'm grateful to the Huffington Post for allowing me to exercise that incredible freedom.
Follow Mike Ragogna on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ragz2008
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Great song and great message. Powerfully done. We need more messages such as this. As the major news organizations focus on the horse race in this election season, the real issues are getting lost.
The message and imagery of this song is deeply moving and disturbing. We have been thrust into a world where peace, diplomacy and hope are sacrificed for greed and power. But the spirit of Mike Ragogna's "Home" remains in the hearts of honest and decent Americans who believe a better tomorrow is still possible with new leadership to benefit all nations. This song and video should be aired on MTV, VH-1 and all the cable news programs who devote countless hours to mindless campaign babble. This song really hits "home."
Powerful song. Harkens back to a time when music used to have a message, eh? The videoclip certainly makes your point stronger, but it's the tune itself that carries the statement.
Huzzah, Mr. Ragogna. Nice work!
Mom? Is that you?? ;) Thanks for the nice words Skizzster...
Part two:
We are always told by soldiers, commanders , even the president that the real heros of the war are the families at home that sacrifice a more stable home, with one parent to do all the work. Then with policies like Stop/Loss we pull the rug out from under them and send them back again and again.
So what is the home they are fighting for? Whose got their back? We destroy homes and families when we let just a few do the sacrificing whether it be our military families or the mostly poor extended families of New Orleans. We cannot solve the problem on the level of the problem we must go to the source. Every family depends on its community and community is extended family. Families and communities become stronger facing adversity. Connect with organizations like Veterans for Peace
and Common Ground Relief, working in New Orleans and the devastated gulf region, that promote solidarity not charity.. . What doesn't kill us make us stronger. Let's stop the killing. Feel the challenge, our strength in solidarity. Share the sacrifice and enjoy being part of the family.
So much passion and so much for debate!
Ramon Mentor here. Just want to thank all you for commenting. What I always ask is , "What am I not seeing in the mass/corporate media? The dead soldiers coming home for one. I humbly thank and bow to Veterans for Peace who dutifully put up the now over 4000 crosses, each representing a fallen US soldier at what's called, Arlington West, next to the Santa Monica Pier every Sunday. I support their advocacy for Veterans Rights, Human Rights and the respect due each of our veterans for their sacrifice - most especially those who have given their lives for the defense of their country.
Most of the video was shot in and around Arlington West, and in New Orleans
My intention is to support Mike's song that these soldiers, most of them, in their early 20's are our children, our brothers and sisters, our parents and our neighbors. We see less and less of the actual "war". What we see so recently are people losing their homes to predatory lenders and criminal investment practices and the government bails out the banks. Does this remind you of New Orleans when it's obvious from watching Spike Lee's documentary, When The Levees Broke, that the government let it happen? If we are the government then we let it happen. We can change it, too.
(I went over so part two is in my following comment.)
Katrina - Queen of redevelopment.
Iraq - The military does not want to win. It's too good to them, in careers. money & power.
Well, it's sure complicated, but I think our military really does want to win in Iraq. I believe it's just time to bring them home for many reasons...
Very powerfully done. That's great footage with all of the crosses; the New Orleans shots as well. Good job.
Thanks much, earle. It was the director Ramon Mentor's idea to shoot the beach footage himself at the Santa Monica Pier. An organization called Veterans For Peace religiously sets-up that tribute every Sunday.
Thank you Mike for calling attention to my beautiful city of New Orleans and this horrible "war". We New Orleanians have been asking how it is that our country can spend billions each week in Iraq but can't rebuild New Orleans, a major AMERICAN city. Your song is very nice. BTW, you filmed just a few blocks from my home.
Good responses! I am not from New Orleans, though I've been there and have much affection for the Big Easy. And I don't know anyone personally who is now in Iraq. But I found this very powerful, especially the connection between the way our government has betrayed our own people and the the way it has done unimaginable damage to people in the Middle East.
I read an article on Detroit recently by Rebecca Solnit, on how nature was taking over huge chunks of Detroit which have been abandoned. Detroit looked like New Orleans, and both look like something has attacked them and hollowed them out.
I think the Bush legacy will be this: not only hiring hacks to run key posts; not only listening only to the people who agree with their extreme positions; but - perhaps the worst part - looting our government. On purpose hollowing out whole sectors of governance - EPA, intellience, FAA, the list goes on. Good people leave because they can't take it anymore. And they will leave behind a governmenet and country in ruins no matter who is elected.
We all need to come home, and reoccupy our country, and remember the dream and the hope that this country represents in its best moments.
There's so much good thinking here, thanks for making the connections. You are so right, sir...we all need to come home...
Thanks grisgris, glad you like the song! Your city is magnificent, it was pretty hard to leave when it was time to go. The music, food, heritage, culture...just incredible.
What a beautiful composition. I confess that I didn't know you Mike, but I know Dobie Gray. I vividly remember "The In Crowd" in 1965. Wow. Yes, I even remember Decca Records.
For the record, I am originally from NYC like you Mike. I served and still I agree with your message.
I'll stop by your website. This summer I am returning to bring my oldest son to the Bronx. We'll look you up.
Thanks for checking it out usna73. Dobie is pretty much an icon for two classics, but his recordings span many years and contain many beautiful gems. Sometimes it's a blast to check out an artist's non-classics since they can reveal so much.
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