Military Songwriters Contest
On My Watch Tonight
An Interview with Mike Corrado
Q: Tell me about your military service.
A: I had served with the Marines for 5 years before I left active duty to pursue a music career. I went on tour performing 200-250 dates a year as a headliner and playing a ton of opening spots for acts like Edwin McCain, John Mayer, Train, Vertical Horizon and more. I was touring from 1997-2001 until the 9/11 attacks when I was called back to active duty. While back on active duty, I still managed to play acoustic shows and a handful of full band shows. I continued to write and record and released my latest CD “Falling Awake” one week before I was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq for a year. The CD contains the single “On My Watch Tonight” which I was lucky enough to have Edwin McCain sing background vocals on.
Q. Where did “On My Watch Tonight” come from?
A: “On My Watch Tonight” is about the journey of a Marine from boot camp to the front lines. It tells the story from the Marine’s perspective and why it is we serve, “I’ll brave the cold, the rain the pain and the bullets, so you don’t have to.” It’s about the people back home continuing on with life and enjoying the liberties we are afforded while brave men and women in the armed forces “deal with the hate.” The song has really taken on a life of its own. I get hundreds of e-mails from military members, spouses, families and veterans telling me how the song has affected them or how it has gotten them through difficult times. It is quickly become the new anthem for the men and women of the armed services.
Q: How has your experience been with the songwriting contest?
A: It’s been great. I signed a publishing deal and teamed up with the folks at www.rehearsals.com. I had seen a commercial for the contest on Armed Forces TV while deployed to Fallujah. When I entered, I never would have thought I would have done so well or that I’d be on a plane to Los Angeles to film a live video on an amazing sound stage for www.rehearsals.com shortly after coming home from Iraq. It has definitely opened a lot more doors. It’s been great.
Q: What are you doing with your music now and how are you managing to do that with your service?
A: I am currently working on songs for my next album. Being on active duty is demanding on your time but I continue to write and perform every chance I get. I am exploring different songwriting opportunities, working with other writers and working with TV and film. My ultimate goal for the single “On My Watch Tonight” would be to have an artist like Tim McGraw or large national act release it. I think it would give a lot of people a better understanding of why we serve, as well as provide a bit of hope or comfort for those who lost a loved one.