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Artist News: Kip Winger Honored By United States Government And Military

Posted on Tuesday, February 17 @ 06:38:29 UTC by nightowl

Multi-platinum recording artist, producer, songwriter Kip Winger was recently presented with an honorary plaque and a historic United States of America flag by The Government of the United States. In a surprise presentation ceremony during the taping of Legends & Lyrics, General Harold Cross honored and praised Kip for his work on Winger lV.

The inscription on the plaque reads:

Department of Defense Seal

IN APPRECIATION OF RECORDING ARTIST
KIP WINGER
AND HIS MUSICAL COMPOSITION
"BLUE SUEDE SHOES"
HONORING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE
OF OUR UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES
AND THEIR FAMILIES.

OUR SINCERE THANKS,
GENERAL HAROLD CROSS
(FOUR STAR GENERAL)



The flag has historic significance as it was the last United States of America flag to fly over Forward Operating Base, Kalso, located in Iskandaria, Iraq, 20 miles south of Baghdad. Before it was turned over to the Iraqis, FOB Kalso was the U.S. Army soldier?s broadband internet services facility in Iraq as well as a base to stop enemy activity in the Sunni Triangle.

Winger IV's [Shrapnel Records] concept and emphasis was on our Military and what it was like to be solider, form a soldiers perspective, leaving politics at the door. Kip had a vision to support the American troops that are standing ground in Iraq and elsewhere. "I had been doing solo shows at Military bases and in speaking with many of the soldiers, their stories touched me," explains Kip. "It was amazing to hear how far reaching our music was and how many soldiers have been moved by it, I was truly humbled by the stories." Capturing the spirit, mood and reality from the perspective of the soldier. Songs like "Right Up Ahead," "M16" and "Blue Suede Shoes" were inspired songs seen though the eyes of a soldier at war.

The album artwork was handled by Ethan Van Sciver who wanted to put in his part for our Military ? Sciver is a renowned DC Comic book artist and penciler who has contributed (among others) to Cyberfrog, New X-Men, The Flash: Iron Heights and Impulse. The "Guardian Of Freedom" album art depicts our Militaries finest protecting with guardian angels that are representative of our prayers we send.

Currently Kip is promoting his latest solo CD From The Moon To The Sun on MVD Audio and the soon to be released Blackwood Creek record. He recently completed his first orchestral piece for ballet choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, Director of Morphoses Ballet Co. (www.morphoses.org that will be used for San Francisco Ballet. The Musical world premier of "Ghosts" will be with The Tucson Symphony November 14th and 15th 2009. Kip and Reb Beach have also just began writing for a new Winger release.

[Source: VQPR]

Posted in Band News (tours, comings/goings, etc)