They Gave All - Official Music Video
Denver Brass is honored to share its latest music video, They Gave All, in poignant remembrance of the heroes who left the mountains of Colorado to answer their nation’s call to duty. The piece was commissioned in 2010 by Rick Crandall and the Colorado Freedom Memorial Foundation, and was played for the dedication of the Colorado Freedom Memorial in 2013. Composed by Denver Brass’ own Andrew Wolfe, the work has become the official anthem of the Colorado Freedom Memorial.
The music is a tribute to the 6,000+ fallen men and women whose names are etched on the glass panels of the memorial; the newly released video broadens the tribute to honor the one-of-a-kind Colorado Freedom Memorial.
“We wanted to showcase the beauty of the memorial,” says Becky Wilkins, Denver Brass’ Executive Director, “but as we started getting deeper into planning the video, we knew we had to do something more. It’s so easy to forget that there’s a face and a family associated with every name on the glass. The ripple effect of that is humbling.” This led Denver Brass to reach out and work with some of the Gold Star families who are close to the Colorado Freedom Memorial. The music video also features photos of the men and women, all from Colorado or have a strong Colorado connection, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country; many of the heroes in the photos are from the War on Terror, but other conflicts (Desert Storm, Korea, Vietnam, World War II) are also represented.
Located in Aurora, Colorado, the Colorado Freedom Memorial was the first memorial in America to honor the men and women from Colorado killed in all wars and in all branches of service, who served in the Spanish-American War through conflicts today. The memorial is a tribute to their sacrifice and a place of remembrance for those left behind. The concept for the Colorado Freedom Memorial came to Rick Crandall back in 2000. At the time, Crandall—morning host of 1430AM radio, long-time friend of the Denver Brass, and founder of the Colorado Freedom Memorial Foundation—was hosting a live four-hour Memorial Day broadcast from an American military graveyard in Normandy, France. He was overcome by nagging questions, of just how many Coloradans were buried abroad, and how many Colorado veterans had been lost in service. As he said to anyone that would listen after that broadcast: “The thought that there are young men and women, largely teenagers, laying so far from home and most have never had a visit from home, just bothers me.” That thought grew into a vision of a place where all Coloradans could come reflect, remember, and give thanks to those who paid the ultimate price for our country.
This is the fifth music video produced by The Bande for the Denver Brass, as part of their ongoing Next Generation Project. The project is a multi-year endeavor, leading the organization into a new frontier of musical and artistic creation. The music videos are a key component. “We are embarking on an artistic visual journey, creating music videos to reach new fans and help tell the stories behind our music,” says Kathy Brantigan, Founder and Artistic Director of the Denver Brass. “This story,” she adds, “may be one of the most important we have shared during this project.”