Artist description In early January, 2003, teacher James Lippitt heard rumblings in his classroom that a number of his students' military parents were being deployed overseas. Realizing this was a hot topic prompted him to assign an essay on military deployment and what it meant to them. James was so amazed by the touching responses that the assignment became the emotional trigger for him to ask, "How can I possibly help these kids?" One day while driving to work, he heard the old John Denver song, 'Leaving On a Jet Plane,' and had the proverbial 'light bulb' go off in his head. "The song seemed to have the elements needed to express the emotions of my students," says Lippitt, so he re-wrote the words to reflect the experience of a child sending a parent off to war. Lippitt then turned his passionate pleas to the publisher of this classic ballad. In an unheard of amount of time, he had secured the rights from the publisher and the blessings of Denverís family. James soon related this experience during a casual conversation to fellow teacher, Melody Mayer, and through their conviction & dedication to a common cause evolved Base Force Foundation, a Las Vegas, NV based non-profit organization. Melody, a military wife for 20 years and a choral music major, immediately saw the possibilities of James' lyrics. Melody recruited & directed a group of military children from a local church to lend their voices as the Base Force Foundation Kids' Choir. Featured on the song are four young men, ages 16-24, who came together on a musical journey to record under the name of Base Force. All four the vocalists on the new rendition, 'Leaving on a Jet Plane, 2003,' (three are brothers) who know first-hand the reality of deployment through their own military father's experience and that of many friends who face the fear of having a parent leave for war. Echoing those sentiments, they translated these emotions into the song. Through a lot of hard work--and with many hours donated by other talented people such as music producers, videographers and webmasters who were inspired by the passion and determination of those involved in the project--James Lippittís 'light bulb' soon became a beacon. 'Leaving On a Jet Plane, 2003' has become an incredibly moving musical composition, expressing the yearning of a child hoping for their military parentís safe return. Whether you are pro-war or anti-war, "Leaving On a Jet Plane, 2003" echoes the viewpoints of most true Americans who believe in supporting our military men, women & families. Through the sale of the CD, contributions, and merchandise available at http://www.baseforce.org , Base Force Foundation will supplement deployed military families with basic needs, family activities, and trips to ease the anxiety of family separation. In addition, the Base Force Foundation Scholarship Fund is set up to subsidize educational costs for dependent children who have lost a military parent in service to our country. Lastly, Base Force Foundation intends to create a permanent memorial in tribute to our fallen military heroes. 'Leaving On a Jet Plane, 2003' has received airplay on many different radio formats from rhythm to adult contemporary--even country-- because of its patriotic tone and musical diversity. The dream of Base Force Foundation will soon become reality through the generous support of patriotic Americans giving back to those soldiers and their families who have sacrificed so much.

Music Style Cover Song

Musical Influences John Denver, Backstreet Boys

Similar Artists Backstreet Boys, N Sync, Stevie Wonder

Location Las Vegas, NV - USA

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