So, I was going to write up the story of Markus Fox, but when I read this again I thought I can’t do any better.
Instead, I’ll be talking with Markus soon on “Mid Tenn Listens” and we’ll also be catching up on all the details of this great story over the next few weeks.
PRESS RELEASE
February 20, 2013
OUTDOOR MUSIC PARTNERS WITH “AMERICAN HERO EXPERIENCE” ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK
Original Song and Story Featured in Upcoming Episode
(Nashville, Tennessee…) – Franklin, Tennessee-based entertainment companyOutdoor Music is partnering with the “American Hero Experience”television show and the NBC Sports Network to help make a dream come true for aspiring singer/songwriter and former active duty Marine, Markus Fox. The network brought Fox to Nashville to record his song, “Sacrifices,” which will be used periodically on the new show.
Gibson
Henry Juskiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar Corp (l.) presents singer/songwriter Markus Fox (r.) with a new Gibson Les Paul Guitar.
“American Hero Experience”introduces modern day American heroes who share inspirational stories, as they discover the unique therapy that outdoor recreation provides while on ultimate experiences with pro athletes and celebrities in world class destinations.
Producers of the show were overwhelmed with emails about Fox and “Sacrifices” during their search for a new theme song. They invited Markus and his father to St. Petersburg, Florida to discuss using his song for the show. When the two arrived at the Guy Harvey Outpost, the producers surprised Markus with the news that they had arranged a three-day dream-come-true fishing trip with “Hit and Run” fishing charters.
Fox, who served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, had his father ship his guitar to a combat zone, and his music not only became therapy for his time away from his Alabama home, it also lifted the spirits of his fellow Marines. During his time on the water taping the episode, Markus discussed PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and the tragic story of a friend who committed suicide just two days prior to returning home from his tour of duty.
His “Experience” didn’t stop there. On the final day of the shoot, Outdoor Music Group General Manager Richard Prather, who had been posing as a production assistant for the show, was introduced to Markus and revealed the second part of his “American Hero Experience.”
The show sent Markus to Nashville, Tennessee on February 2, 2013, where he performed at the famed Puckett’s downtown. He shared the stage with hit songwriters Wynn Varble, Don Poythress, Karen Staley, and Brad Cotter. At the show, Markus was presented with a new Gibson Guitar by company President & CEO Henry Juszkiewicz.
“(my wife) Jan and I won’t soon forget the look on Markus’ face as he mouthed the words to every song Wynn sang,” said Puckett’s owner Andy Marshall. “You could see the surreal look in his eyes.”
The next day, Markus, his father, the Outdoor Music and “American Hero Experience” crews watched the Super Bowl at the Historic Franklin Theatre, and on February 4th, he recorded “Sacrifices” with producer Eric Heatherly courtesy of Buzz Cason at Creative Workshop in Berry Hill and Dalia Entertainment/ Outdoor Music Group.
“Richard and I went down this road, hoping we’d be a blessing to Markus by helping him fulfill a dream of professionally recording his song ‘Sacrifices’ in a legendary Nashville studio,” said Outdoor Music’s Craig Brinks. “But in the end, we were the ones who were blessed…blessed by his spirit, his talent and his sacrifice. This has been an incredible experience for us too. An honor.”
The episode will air on “American Hero Experience” on Monday, February 25, 2013 at 1:30 pm EST and repeat at 1:00 pm EST on Thursday, February 28, 2013 on the NBC Sports Network. The “Sacrifices” single is available now at CD Baby, by clicking here, and it will be available on iTunes February 25, 2013.
“American Hero Experience” kicked off January 10, 2013 on the NBC Sports Network. The show is co-hosted by disabled Gulf War Vet Sgt. Joe Kowalski (USMC, Ret.) and Keith Alan, who also serves as Executive Producer of the show. When Kowalski realized how fishing was helping him deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), he figured it could help other veterans, so he started a fishing outreach program. His service to our country as a Marine, and his dedication to his fellow veterans and returning service members made him a natural fit for a television series dedicated to recognizing heroes, creating awareness for their needs and illustrating the therapeutic value fishing provides.AmericanHeroExperience.com.
ABOUT OUTDOOR MUSIC:
Outdoor Music, is owned by Franklin, TN based Dalia Entertainment Group. The indie music label’s catalog includes exclusive baseball, hunting, and fishing master recordings, like the classic Andy Griffith Show theme song, “The Fishin’ Hole,” featuring Darryl Worley and Wynn Varble. http://www.outdoormusic.com
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For additional information about Outdoor Music, booking and interview opportunities with Markus Fox, contact info@outdoormusic.com.
