I am very proud to announce that the music video for "This is War" won first place in the Music Video Category in the 2008 Dallas Songwriter's Association Song Contest http://www.dallassongwriters.org/songcontest/2008/2008winners.htm .  The $100.00 prize money has been donated to the Wounded Warrior Project--every little bit helps. 
Hope everyone is doing well, and please leave a comment if you have time.
Steven
  

I am a veteran, and I wrote "This is War" in an effort to honor our soldiers and to speed the process of getting them safely home.  The response has been overwhelming.  From being played on Sirius Radio to being featured on Neil Young's website, Living with War Today, the song continues to strike a chord with those who have been touched by war.  This song is dedicated to our soldiers and their families, and you can now download a copy of "This is War" at www.Songsinc.com.  All net proceeds from sales will go to The Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit, non-political organization devoted to helping our wounded warriors and their families.  Thank you very much for your support.  Steven P. Richards

This is War was reviewed in the September 2007 edition of Rock Rap Confidential (www.rockrap.com).  Here's what they said:

"War Song, Steven P. Richards (myspace.com/stevenprichards)--A North Carolina Gulf War vet's protest against the continued waste of lives—not just American lives—rings out with the spirit and some of the sound of late '60s rock (think "Sky Pilot" without the histrionics). Richards considers this a demo but it's one of the most effective pieces of music about the current conflict we've heard."

I am STOKED!  Now, if I can just get a band/artist to record it!

Thanks Rock & Rap Confidential! 

I am very excited.  Two of my songs were semi-finalist is the 2007 UK Songwriting Contest.

This is War was a semi-finalist in the Rock category.

The Best in Me was a semi-finalist in BOTH the Pop and Country category.

Thanks Judges!!!

I wrote this song because I feel that our exposure to the war in Iraq has been very sanitized, and has in turn kept us distanced from the daily horrors that our soldiers face.  I think that this is calculated to keep us from asking questions about why we are there and why aren't we working toward an exit strategy.  As an army veteran (of the Panamanian Invasion and Desert Storm), I know that the soldiers in Iraq and their families are enduring tremendous hardships.  And ultimately, I would love it if this song could, if even slightly, help speed the process of getting them safely home for good.