Launches Land4Heroes, a lodge for Veterans
By Preshias Harris
Colton James is one busy guy. But he’s not complaining. As the saying goes, ‘Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’ Colton is passionate about his music, about helping veterans and about his lovely wife Cassie.
Colton and I caught up in January to talk about what’s new and exciting in his life, including his new EP, titled America, released January 20, 2023. The seven-track project includes “Ring On Her Finger” that will certainly be played at a LOT of weddings in the months and years ahead. The song has a special poignance for Colton who co-wrote it with Kim Tribble.
“’Ring On Her Finger’ was the very last song that me and Kim wrote together,” Colton recalled, “And it was the last time I saw him alive. I told that story at his Celebration of Life and Kim’s wife Patti wanted me to play it. I think about him every day. Not only were we writing buddies, we fished together, we hunted together, we hung out together. He was like family.” See the official music video for “Ring On Her Finger” here.
Another track on the EP has a unique backstory: “I Miss America” co-written with Rick Dawson, the owner of Rich Strike, the 80-1 outsider that came from behind to win the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Colton told me that he met Rick at a charity event for veterans and soon recognized that they shared a deep patriotism and a concern for the plight of military veterans. They quickly saw the need to work together on issues about which they felt so deeply.
“He’d never written a song in his life,” said Colton, but their shared feelings led them to write “I Miss America” together. “I tell everybody, there are crossroads in Life and God has definitely got his hands on it because we’re all doing this for a reason,” Colton said emphatically.
Colton’s connection to Rick Dawson doesn’t end there. Together, they have launched a project they are calling RedSunset Entertainment, a multimedia company set to produce records, television and radio programming and more. Among the projects currently in development: Reel Water Cowboy, a show that will combine music, fishing and cuisine, as well as The Reel Water Cowboy Radio Show.
“RedSunset Entertainment is a label that we have formed and we have Aristo Media as our PR firm,” he told me. “We are going to do some different things with our artists. We’ve signed our very first artist, Janna Marie. She’s been working with some great writers. The steel guitar player Smith Curry has been setting her up with some great writes.”
Additionally, Colton and Rick are hard at work on Land4Heroes that was born from their mutual concern for military veterans in need.
“Land4Heroes is going to be a 15,000 square foot lodge, designed by Honest Abe Log Homes right there in Moss, Tennessee,” he explained. “It’s going to be placed on 130 beautiful acres in southeast Virginia. It’s very close to a lot of military bases and it’s going to be a place only a few hours away from Walter Reed Hospital.”
It was on a visit to Walter Reed Hospital to entertain vets that Colton saw that simply getting away from the institution to go fishing, talk with other vets or just relax could have a positive, therapeutic effect. Rick Dawson enthusiastically jumped on board, coming up with the idea of naming the entrance road “11-11 VET’S PLACE” in reference to the date of Veterans Day, held annually on November 11. Watch the teaser video for Land4Heroes here.
“Our goal is to get this first one built, our mothership,” as he described it. “Then over the next ten years, we want to build three more in key locations around the country.”
But Colton hasn’t forgotten about his music and is intent on getting the new songs into the ears of as many fans as possible. See the track listing and songwriter credits below and follow the links to listen.
As Colton James said to me, “It just all happened so fast but you know what? When it’s on God’s time, it’s going to happen.”
- Read my full interview with Colton, including his plans to surprise his wife Cassie on Valentine’s Day, at Center Stage Mag here.
Follow Colton James on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and find his music on Spotify here. Find music, news, videos and more at Colton’s website.
Track Listing for Colton James new EP America:
- “I Miss America” – Colton James and Rick Dawson
- “Ring On Her Finger” – Colton James and Kim Tribble
- “47 Acre Farm” – Kendall Marvel, Greg Bates, and Shelly Skidmore
- “Richest Man Alive” – Colton James, Austin James, Rick Dawson, and Greg Crowe
- “Take This Country Back” – Colton James and Kim Tribble
- “Brave Men” – Colton James and John Banagas
- “American Farmer” – Colton James and Kim Tribble
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available here. Follow her blog and read her regular ‘Preshias On The Row’ news stories at Center Stage Magazine.