Willie Nelson

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John Gottlied sings his additional lyrics along with the original lyrics of “A Peaceful Solution.” The scrolling lyrics over symbols of Americana and patriotism seems to provide greater direction to a peaceful revolution.

John Gottlied does not seem to have any problem with combining American patriotism and a peaceful resolution. He uses his music to display the possibility that American patriotism can mean something besides militarism.

I believe many people also embrace the idea of a peaceful America. We just cannot always see them because it is too easy to sit down and blend in with what is perceived as the dominant opinion.

This is a shame because I also believe that if everyone who supports a peaceful revolution stood up we would be surprised to find out that we are in the majority.

Peace people have been shouted down by an aggressive minority for too long.

Discover your unity.

Discover your strength.

Do not allow a bully or two to silence the majority of peaceful people.

I am not asking for confrontation but rather vocalization.

Sing out.

Make a joyful noise.

In the silence between your breaths you will hear the voices of many others.

Take heart with this.

Take Back America.

* * * * * Artist’s Statement * * * * *

My name is John Gottlied. I’m forty years old. I am a father and songwriter. I also write essays and poetry. I have always considered myself an advocate of peace and a lover of the natural world.

I feel truly honored to be able to participate in the Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute’s “A Peaceful Solution” Project. I have always admired Mr. Nelson’s amazing talent and his dedication to making this world a better place.

This project should give us all hope that we are not alone trying to change the world, but instead we are a choir spreading a message and inspiring a dialogue towards actions.

I spent twenty-one years in the United States Military and am proud to have served my country. I respect and admire those who choose to serve in uniform. I also believe that war is sometimes necessary, but only as a last resort.

Too many lives are needlessly lost in armed conflicts that are unnecessary and ill conceived. I have lost friends that I served with and had other friends whose lives have been irreversibly changed by war.

There are no victors in war.

We all lose in one way or another and it blinds us to the true value of all life.

My three youngest children live with me and every time I look into their eyes I see the promise and potential that each one of us is born with. I look at the world around me and see that potential being wasted and the promise being ignored.

If one thing I write or sing causes someone to stop and think then I know that I am making a difference. When my children learn from the way I live and interact with the world around me then I know I am making a difference.

Surely we are all here to do more than just collect and consume.

If we are not trying to make this world a better place then why bother at all. Each one of us only has a finite number of years to live, and when we have left this world it won’t matter whether we were rich or poor.

Our legacy will be whether or not we left this world a richer place.

I am only one voice, and at times my voice may fail,
but if a choir is singing the same song, no one could ever tell.
I am only one man, and may sometimes stumble and fall,
but if I pick myself back up then I’ve not lost much at all.
But if we all refuse to sing or won’t rise up from the dirt,
then we’ll never make any progress and then what are we worth.

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