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War & The American Soldier
Acoustic / Folk / Americana

It rained black from the sky that night



San Diego, California
United States

Profile Views:  13946




Last Login:  11/11/2009
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   War & The American Soldier: General Info
Member Since4/26/2007
Band Websitehttp://www.americanwarsoldier.com/
Band MembersRod Galloway Jr : Vocals, Guitar
InfluencesBob Dylan, Led Zepplin, Jethro Tull, Lynard Skynyrd, Nirvana, Willie Nelson, Joni Mitchel, The Beatles, The Who, John Waite, Pink Floyd, Queen, David Bowie, AC/DC, Robert Plant, The Allman Brothers Band, Creedence Clearwater, Dwight Yoakam, Heart, U-2, Neil Young, Cat Stevens, Elton John, Jimi Hendrix, Hank Williams Jr, Yanni, Cranberries, Supertramp, Pretenders

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   About War & The American Soldier
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Hello, my name is Rod Galloway Jr. I am the singer and songwriter for my musical documentary, "War & The American Soldier". I have been working on this project for about ten years. I live in Alpine California 91901, and I am a real estate agent and the owner of an insurance agency. I was born in Lexington Kentucky November 15,1958.

Throughout my life I have always been connected to music in a big way. I remember as a small child, my dad playing classical guitar in our living room. I can still picture him practicing night after night making music. It was fun to hear his music. He had a nice sound. I still have his very first nylon string guitar. I took piano lessons as a child and later in life played the violin and guitar. Like most men or young boys we all want to be rock stars or famous musicians of some kind. It is a dream that is for the most part just a dream and unrealized. But it sure is fun rockin out to AC/DC, Zepplin or Skinner. I still listen to Led Zepplin's Live "The Song Remains The Same", every Friday or Saturday night cranked up through my 200 watt Yamaha P.A Power Amp. My neighbors love me !!! Lots of fun, and very cool.

I started writing music when my son was born in 1991. Kids change you. You do things different and live your life, for the most part on a different level. The first song I wrote was titled "Campfire". At the time I was living alone with my 2 year old son in a remote area of San Diego County in a place called Campo. I built a house and we lived their for about 5 years. My songs are for the most part, ballads. During the early 90's I started writing songs about war and the soldiers who fought them. It has been a lot of fun and extremely rewarding and very soothing to my soul.

I'm not sure how it all came to be, but when I was young I was always interested in the news. I think it was because my dad worked in the defense industry and he always had the news on the T.V. It was like a big pow wow. We would watch CBS or ABC, stuff like that. It seemed that the highlite of the news, day in and day out was the Vietnam war. Two other issues have followed me around since I was a child. The first was when President Kennedy was assasinated. Our family was at Santa's Village in Los Angeles. A spokes person came on the loud speaker announcing the Presidents death. I had just gone down this huge steel slide and was stopped by a large pile of snow. I remember my mom picking me up and telling me we were going home. I could tell there was a saddness and uncertainty in the air. The second issue was when Martin Luther King was assassinated. I remember my Dad coming home from work and my Mom mentioned to him that Martin Luther King had been killed. My dad didn't say much, but I again, felt that mood of saddness and uncertainty. When Bobby Kennedy was killed, for some reason I didn't remember anything my mom or dad said. When that happened I saw it on the news, along with the whole family. I received a degree in political science, from the University of California at San Diego in 1987. For the five or so years I was there I studied as much as I possibly could, you guest it, the Vietnam War. When I graduated, I felt and probably was as close to an expert on the Vietnam war as anyone could be. When ever I had an opportunity to talk about Vietnam and the war, I did. While studying at UCSD I viewed countless photos and video of war in Vietnam. The one video I viewed that has followed me around for a long time was the footage of General Long executing Lam Lim, a Viet Cong Captain on a street corner in Saigon. Some years back I was reading the paper and found General Long's obituary. I couldn't beleive he died. After that I wrote the song "Saigon Corner".

My most recent event that has stuck with me and will be remembered for the rest of my life was the killing of Sgt. Joseph W Perry, in Iraq. He was killed by a sniper while manning a 50 caliber machine gun in a Humvee, in southern Bagdad. Joe's mother and step father live across the street from me. Although Joe and I weren't sincere friends or anything like that. My son and I always tried to get a look at him when he was home. It was fun. I don't know why, but it was kind of like a spy game of some kind. Here was an honest to god soldier who was as "serious as a heart attack" when it came to Iraq. He understood the struggle the Iraqi people were up against. He truly wanted to make a difference in that country. He wanted to help the Iraqi people at any cost. Joe, in my opinion was on a mission, to help those people who couldn't fight or help themselves. Thats what I have learned our soldiers are all about. Joe was a model soldier. One time I stopped over to meet Joe and give him a gift certificate to Outback Steak House. Joe was in town, just not at his mom's at the time. So, I left the gift certificate with his mother Kirsten, and then I was on my way. About a few weeks later Joe came over to my house. The doorbell rang, I opened the door and there stood Joe. He was really tall and very handsome. I mean I couldn't believe how tall he was. He was skinny to, but very healthy. You could tell. He had a few tatoos on his forearms that were very artistic and actually fit his personality very well. I started to laugh a little, because my son and I always wanted to know what he was like. It was like I was meeting Bob Dylan or something. There was a celebrity connection there for some reason. Its kind of embarrasing to say that, but my son and I were really excited and very pleased that he came by. Joe thanked us for the outback gift certificate, we talked about guns and war for about 20 minutes and then he went back to his mom's house. On a few other occasions Joe and his friends would hang out in his mom's garage all night long and listen to music real loud. It was fun to hear. I was never worried or afraid. Because it was Joe and he was enjoying his life, it was all okay. I think one or two times I awoke from a deep sleep hearing this loud bass sound. I thought it was some kid in a car hanging out and listenig to music. I got up and looked out the front window of my house. It was really foggy. I could hardly see Kirstens house the fog was so thick. No worries though, it was Joe hanging around, listening to music and having a good time with his friends, in the garage. I never questioned weather or not it was a strange situation. Some nights the music was loud, 2:00 in the morning. Never once did I think about calling the cops, like some neighbors might consider. As a matter a fact I'd say to myself, "Joe, let her rip, all night long, if you have to". When Joe was killed, another strange occurance was going on through my mind. I couldn't keep my eyes off of Kirstens house. Every day and night I was looking. I mean sometimes midnight, 3:00AM in the morning. It was like I was waiting for Vern (Joe's stepfather), or Kirsten to walk out of the house and maybe fall down or have car trouble or need some kind of assistance so that I could go over to them and help them out. I felt like some kind of night watchman, or something. I didn't want anything else to go wrong. I wanted to do something, but there was really nothing I could do. This bothered me to an extreme. A few days had past maybe a week and finally I went over to see Vern. I knocked on the door and he anserwed. There really wasn't much to say. But, Vern knew I really cared and was with him all the way. It's a side of War that nobody really ever see's. While this was all going on, one day I was writing and performing music in my living room. It was a really pretty day and I had all the blinds open in my living room. I started strumming a moderatly fast G chord. I had my amp and P.A up pretty loud. I belted out "It rained black from the sky that night, the night, the night we got the call". Thats when I wrote "KIA" in about 20 minutes. The problem I have and still have with "KIA", is most times I don't make it through the whole song with-out breaking up. I have played that song maybe 500 times, and still I rarely make it all the way through. One day I went over to see Vern. I asked Vern and Kirsten to come over and listen to some of my music. They came over and sat on the couch. I went through my song list and then came to "KIA". I sang it beautifully and made it all the way through with-out breaking up. It really felt good to have at last finished the song all the way through.

All the songs here and the ones I have not listed on "myspace" have a special and very personal connection. I am very proud of them. For the most part I'm sure there are other influences that have contributed to my songwriting. But the ones mentioned above seem to stick out the most. These songs were recorded in my living room on my computer using Cakewalk's, Sonar 5.

Cheers

Rod


   War & The American Soldier's Friend Space (Top 22)
War & The American Soldier has 495 friends.
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 In loving Memory of SSG Marvin Ross Sprayberry III 


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War & The American Soldier's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 155 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
MASQUE

MASQUE



Nov 12 2009 4:10 AM

War & The American Soldier, Thanxx for the add! Get Your Face First CD. Safe Buy Now Button On Profile Page. Join us on FaceBook too!! Click it : http://lnk.ms/1YHrR


Honor is 4-ever

Honor is 4-ever



Nov 11 2009 6:07 PM

Happy Veterans Day Pictures, Images and Photos
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness



Nov 9 2009 12:59 AM

♥ ♥ ♥
SUPPORTING OUR SOLDIERS & VETS!



Hi my friend haven't heard from you in a while,
How have you been doing?
Keeping you in my prayers!
God Bless You!
(((hugsssssss)))
You *ARE* Loved :)
♥ Joanne ♥



Ken

Ken



Nov 7 2009 8:38 AM

Hi Rod,
Have a GREAT Weekend !!

Here's Clovis, Me and Caddy on a laid back Friday night. Watching the NASCAR truck race at Texas.
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Ken

Ken



Nov 3 2009 3:49 PM

Hi Rod,
Have an OUTSTANDING Day My Friend.

Here is a video message from The Commandant and The Sergeant Major of The United States Marine Corps.
It is about our 234th Birthday on November 10th, 2009.
OOHRAH !!!


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TUN TAVERN---BIRTHPLACE OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS-----
Ken

Ken



Nov 2 2009 5:49 PM

Hi Rod,
Have an OUTSTANDING Week and a Memorable upcoming Veterans Day.

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KEN-----OUT
Ken

Ken



Nov 1 2009 4:28 AM




Hi Rod,
Have an OUTSTANDING Weekend !!!

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SOS BREAKFAST. 2/1 NAM MARINES REUNION. OCEANSIDE,CA. 2008


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VIETNAM ERA C-RAT FRUIT CAKE OPENED BY ME 4 YEARS AGO. YUM YUM ------------------------------


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CASE OF VIETNAM ERA C-RATS.

KEN=====OUT
Ken

Ken



Oct 29 2009 1:29 PM

Hi Rod,
Have an OUTSTANDING Day !!

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HERE'S DEVIL BOY CLOVIS DOING HIS HALLOWEEN CAT IMPERSONATION-----


/albums/dd216/namusmchumper/?action=view&current=DevilBoyClovis10252009018.jpg" mce_href="http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/namusmchumper/?action=view&current=DevilBoyClovis10252009018.jpg" target="_blank">Photobucket..
HERE'S CADDIE GETTING READY FOR HALLOWEEN-----
Christos Mythos

Christos Mythos



Oct 29 2009 11:33 AM

every single element in your body arises from a far distant super nova out in space,

created billions of lightyears ago, so much to age:-),

have a great day.


Quantcast

Ken

Ken



Oct 28 2009 2:20 PM

Hi Rod,
Have a GREAT Day !!


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MAIL RUN FROM CAMP FAULKNER. 2/1 NAM MARINES,1970. HOTEL CO.


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MIKE CONNOLLY BURIED ALIVE WILE DRINKING BEER. 2/1 Nam Marines
1970. HOTEL CO. STACK ARMS, IN COUNTRY R&R.
Ken

Ken



Oct 27 2009 3:04 PM

Hi Rod,
Have an OUTSTANDING Day !!!

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R&R BIRD-----------------------NAM '70
I Went to Sydney,Australia
grace(tororosa)

Grace Hernandez



Oct 27 2009 2:59 AM


myspace comments
Get MySpace Comments without leaving myspace!

Ken

Ken



Oct 25 2009 8:18 AM

Hi Rod,
Walk and Ride SAFE,

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My Big Boy Loves Popsicles. Any Flavor Will Do----

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Devil Boy Clovis on one of his many cat scratch pads. Of Course it's enhanced with a touch of catnip-------------
Semper Fi-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ken

Ken



Oct 24 2009 5:22 AM

Hi Rod,
Devil Boy Clovis says Hi and so do I.
Have an OUTSTANDING Weekend !!!

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SEMPER FIDELIS---------------------
Ken

Ken



Oct 23 2009 6:45 AM

Here's the original photo that The "Double Love/Double Trouble" was made from.

Semper Fi,
                     Ken---Out

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Ken

Ken



Oct 23 2009 6:14 AM

Hi Rod,
Here's a photo of me and my big old grey girl.
Kayce passed on July 06,09. She was 16 yrs. old.
I sure do miss her---------------------
Double Trouble-------------------------
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Ken

Ken



Oct 23 2009 2:58 AM

Hi Rod,
Thinking of Ya---------------------
Happy Halloween------------

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Ken

Ken



Oct 21 2009 2:01 PM

Hi Rod,
Here is a photo of Rick. I work with him. He's a modern era Brother.

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Bro Rick. Halloween in Afghanistan.  2004
Ken

Ken



Oct 21 2009 1:21 PM

Hi Rod,
I trust that you and yours are doing well.
Here is a photo of Jonathan Rogers in his 1990 Halloween Costume.
This photo is courtesy of David Rogers, his Dad.
Have an OUTSTANDING Day !!

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Jonathan in his miniature flight suit, around Halloween 1990.  He preferred the Marine cover because the color matched.
grace(tororosa)

Grace Hernandez



Oct 20 2009 12:00 PM


Check out my page
http://www.doulike.us/photos/7545237.html?b=4&w=46




Let me know if you like me YES or NO
http://www.doulike.us/photos/7545237.html?b=4&w=46

Ken

Ken



Oct 19 2009 2:19 PM

Hi Rod,
Here's my 1st official USMC ID photo. Enlisted in The USMC on May 27,1969. This pic was taken on June 3,1969------------

Have an Outstanding Day.

Photobucket
LORD_X_ODUS THE WILD ONION

LORD_X_ODUS THE WILD ONION



Oct 17 2009 11:21 AM

OCT.17 SWEETER'S DAY SAT. NIGHT CONNECT & CUDDLE
DANCE PARTY!!
Hosted By:










With a Few Specially Selected Live Performences!!!

Also Official Afterparty for:
DeJuan "NYCE" Thompson & SULLIVAN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS 97-05' REUNION!!

21yrs & up w/ ID
Doors: Open @ 9pm-3am
Ladies Free B4 12:00am
$5 After
Guys $5 B4 12:00 am &
$10 After

Free Roses for the 1st 25 ladies after Midnight!
Free Talent Extrodinaire *Ayona* Chgo's Princess Of R&B Promo Give-A-Ways!
Respect My Gnine Vol. 3 Mixtape Promo Raffle!
Sweeter's Day Group Discounts!!
***$90 Bottles Of Vodka
***$45 Bottles Of Champagne!!!

More info contact:
(773) 632-7768 / 773.407.1458
4brothersent@gmail.com
or
773-405-6154
NightKnightenent@gmail.com
or
312 576-0828
xodlo@sbcglobal.net
Ken

Ken



Oct 16 2009 7:27 AM

Hi Rod,
Here's a couple of pics of CH-46 Chopper in my TAOR. Nam 1970-------------------
I landed here when I was attached to 1st Force Recon in July 1970. I wrote a little story about it. So narrow you can't believe.Landing on the Rockpile and the Razorback. These were two steep hills with just small grates on the top that were overwatching the important Route 9. The hills lay close to the DMZ and north of the Khe Sanh base. The Marines had build two small bases at the top of the grates which could only be supported by air. The landing on this bases was very difficult and some helicopters didn't managed to touch down there in one piece.

The following two pictures show a CH-46 "Sea Knight" landing on top of the Rockpile.

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Ken

Ken



Oct 14 2009 2:09 PM

Hi Rod,
Have a good day my friend--------------------------
I'm remembering-------------------------------------

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Medical Evacuation. Marines of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, while under heavy firefight with NVAs within the DMZ on Operation Hickory III, are carrying one of their fellow Marines to the H-34. 07/29/1967

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"Home is where you dig" was the sign over the fighting bunker of Private First Class Edward, Private First Class Falls and Private First Class Morgan of the 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment, during Operation Worth. 1968
Anna

Anna



Oct 14 2009 11:28 AM

Hello Rod!
How are you? I hope you're well...
Have wonderful week,my friend!
Take care
xxx Anna
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