National Geographic, along with Musicians On Call and iHeartMedia, is partnering with seven-time Grammy Award-winning Lady Antebellum to honor veterans and their families and support troops’ long-term well-being on their long road home. The #MyArmyContest and #LongRoadHome campaigns coincide with the launch of global miniseries event The Long Road Home. Premiering on Tuesday, Nov. 7, just before Veterans Day, The Long Road Home is about not only the amazing courage of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division ambushed in Iraq in 2004 but also the brave families on the homefront and the bonds that unite us all.
National Geographic is joining forces with Lady Antebellum to find out who is in YOUR army. The network will produce a music video for Lady Antebellum’s hit song “Army” and offer a chance to give back through music. Starting today, Oct. 10, through Nov. 7, fans can submit a photo or video on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram showing the heroes in their life using #MyArmyContest and tagging @NatGeoChannel for a chance to be featured in the music video. For more information and full contest rules, go to www.natgeotv.com/MyArmyContest.
VIDEO: https://twitter.com/ladyantebellum/status/917844752720121857
“Throughout our career we have been lucky enough to meet some incredible military veterans and their families,” said Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum. “‘Army’ has such a special meaning to us, and when we were writing this for our families, we had no idea how much of a universal feeling it would draw out of our fans. Whether [their hero is] their teacher, mom or best friend, we are looking forward to watching the stories that come through and create an incredible music moment that will also recognize the heroic sacrifices of our troops and their families.”
“At National Geographic, we believe in the power of storytelling to change the world, and through our upcoming drama The Long Road Home, we hope to shine a light on the incredible courage of our troops and their families,” said Dennis Camlek, executive vice president, strategy & consumer marketing, National Geographic. “By partnering with Lady Antebellum and Musicians On Call, we want to create our army of heroes through these social campaigns — and ultimately underscore the urgency of supporting our veterans’ long-term well-being and that of their families.”
“For 10 years our volunteers have brought the healing power of music to thousands of patients and veterans throughout Nashville,” said Pete Griffin, president of Musicians On Call. “Now more than ever I think it’s important to remember that music is a source of joy and happiness, and no amount of hate or pain will ever ring louder than the voices of our volunteers or the strings of their instruments. It is our great honor to work alongside so many talented and giving volunteers who have committed their time and energy to bringing joy and healing to our community.”
To bring greater awareness of veterans’ physical and mental well-being, National Geographic will also launch today the #LongRoadHome social activation campaign. Starting Oct. 10, for every use of #LongRoadHome across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, National Geographic will donate $1 to Musicians On Call, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of veterans in health care facilities, for a total up to $75,000 to support its Bedside Performance Programs.
As part of this campaign, Musicians On Call will host an exclusive concert event in celebration of its 10thanniversary in Nashville at City Winery on Oct. 26, presented by National Geographic. Guests will be treated to a headlining performance by Lady Antebellum, along with surprise appearances and performances to be announced shortly. The event will be hosted by Bobby Bones, Musicians On Call board member and host of iHeartMedia’s “The Bobby Bones Show,” an award-winning country music morning show reaching millions of listeners on more than 100 stations nationwide. In addition, iHeartMedia will promote the partnership across its multiplatform range of assets — on-air, digital, social and editorial — encouraging listeners to share their stories about their “armies” on social media as well as encouraging them to tune in to National Geographic for the Long Road Home miniseries. Tickets will be available at www.musiciansoncall.org/nash10th.
About “The Long Road Home”
No soldier fights alone. Based on the New York Times best-selling book by internationally acclaimed journalist Martha Raddatz, The Long Road Home tells the story of “Black Sunday,” when a small platoon of soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division was ferociously ambushed in Sadr City, Baghdad, in April 2004. Eight Americans would make the ultimate sacrifice that day, and more than 65 would be seriously wounded.
The global miniseries event premiering Tuesday, Nov. 7, on National Geographic offers viewers a gripping and intimate look at the toll war takes on soldiers and their families. The adrenaline-fueled and deeply emotional journey follows the action on two fronts: the chaotic and terror-filled streets of Sadr City and the homefront at Fort Hood, where family members desperately await news of their loved ones. The Long Road Home ensemble cast includes Michael Kelly, Jason Ritter, Kate Bosworth, Sarah Wayne Callies, Noel Fisher and Jeremy Sisto.