Album Notes

“HIGHWAY OF HEROES” SONG HONOURS FALLEN TROOPS AND SUPPORTERS “UP HERE ON THE BRIDGES”

CD Single Features Guitar Legend Rik Emmett – Share of Proceeds Supports Wounded Warriors Fund

The uniquely Canadian phenomenon that is the Highway of Heroes is the focus of a powerful new single, which pays tribute both to the brave men and women of the Canadian Forces serving in Afghanistan, as well as to the thousands of ordinary Canadians who line the sides and bridges of Highway 401 from Trenton to Toronto every time one of our fallen soldiers comes home for the last time.

“Anytime another falls, we will gather here … in any kind of weather, any time of year …”

Toronto songwriter Bob Reid composed “Highway of Heroes” in the fall of last year, struck by the tremendously patriotic show of support that takes place along the highway.

“Watching for the headlights down the 401 … respect and dedication for our bravest ones …hearts fill with sorrow and with pride … as the fallen pass below, on the final ride … ”

When a rough demo recording was played on a Toronto radio station last October, the switchboard and email were flooded with emotional feedback from listeners touched by the sentiment of the song.

“Along the Highway of Heroes we stand … in a show of gratitude from right across the land … standing on the bridges faithfully … because you keep our true north strong and free.”

Reid knew that he had to bring the moving tribute song to completion. Enlisting the support of veteran songwriter/performer/producer Blair Packham, and backed by a top-notch team of musicians including former Triumph guitar master Rik Emmett, the end result – “Highway of Heroes” – was released on November 3rd, 2009.

A share of proceeds will go to support the Wounded Warriors fund, (www.woundedwarriors.ca) which provides important help to Canadian Forces personnel hurt in the line of duty and their families.

"Wounded Warriors.ca funds a wide variety of programs that tend to needs of injured soldiers," says Wayne Johnston, the founder and president of the fund.

"These include providing mobility devices for amputees, a vehicle for an street outreach project to get homeless veterans assistance and financially assisting the hospital in Germany where our most seriously wounded are sent for critical care."

ABOUT WOUNDED WARRIORS
Wounded Warriors.ca is an independent not-for-profit charity that supports Canadian soldiers wounded overseas. It is primarily a fundraising mechanism that supports existing programs that tend to injured soldiers. In three years, Wounded Warriors.ca has raised more than $400,000 and as a largely volunteer organization is able to keep its administration costs well below 5%. The health of this fund is a credit to the benevolence of Canadian corporations and citizens alike. Wounded Warriors.ca recognizes the priority to treat visible and non-visible injuries, like that of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.