Timely Tribute to Our Afghanistan Vets and All Who Ever Served, Jim Waneka’s “A Different Man” Now Live
Song About Afghanistan Veteran Returning Home Was Given to Jim By His WWII Veteran Uncle in a Dream; Song and Video Linked Here
Honoring all our Veterans, Jim Waneka’s stirring and heartfelt tribute song, “A Different Man” https://ffm.to/adifferentman dropped today (August 27th) on all major music streaming outlets. It is the story of a soldier returning home from combat in Afghanistan, and his struggles leaving the battlefield behind to resume his life. The music video for this amazingly timely song is also out now https://youtu.be/xglX8cBus7c.
Both timeless and timely, “A Different Man” shares lasting truths that have once again become apparent as our troops are coming home from Afghanistan. That truth is reflected in the opening line, “He came back from serving his country a different man.”
As with some of Jim’s songs, “A Different Man” came to him in an early morning dream on July 19, 2020, in Los Angeles. A few days later, Jim and guitarist Kelvin Holly recorded the song demo in the living room of Jim’s rented LA house.
Jim said, “It was a very powerful dream with the melody and words all flowing through me in a matter of just a few minutes. Without even picking up my guitar I knew what the song sounded like and how it would be arranged. I believe it was brought to me through the spirit of my uncle, Claude Starkey, who served as a Marine paratrooper during World War II. He had been shot seven times prior to losing his hand while on patrol on the island of Bougainville. The song is also about my cousin Dick, who indeed came back from Vietnam a different man.”
Jim went on to say, “What was interesting is that the word Afghanistan came in the dream. At first, I was wondering why Afghanistan was mentioned, but I realized it absolutely needed to be, because the song is about all soldiers who have seen battles and horrors, and have been changed for the rest of their lives. As the song states, “he gave it all for his country with no complaints,” which I’ve found is a common thread among veterans.”
Perhaps the most important focus of “A Different Man” is the effort to raise awareness to our Veterans and their families by listing in the music video just some of the many support organizations that can quickly provide any needed help. This will also call attention to how we can all assist our Veterans through support organizations. While by no means a comprehensive list of the dozens of support organizations, it is designed to encourage thinking about available support and how we can all help.
Jim said, “It should humble us all that we have these patriots among us willing to sacrifice so much to keep us free and safe. Most veterans rejoin our society when they return from service, but it’s so sad to see those who cannot. Part of my message is that it’s okay to ask for help. Too many of our vets try to tough it out on their own when real help may only be a phone call away.”
With so much in the news now about the US. troops leaving Afghanistan, Jim makes it clear his only focus is on honoring our Veterans, raising awareness of the support available to them, and how we can all help. “It’s a very emotional song so some may try to read more into it, but the only statement I choose to make with ‘A Different Man’ is one of support for our Veterans. We owe them so much that can never be fully repaid.”
“A Different Man” follows on the heels of Jim’s first release, “I Ride Alone,” https://ffm.to/iridealone available on all major streaming channels. These are the first two of Jim’s many upcoming new songs, six of which will be featured on an EP to be released later this year.