Patriotism is alive and well with Gary and Kim Racan and the Studio E Band

I had the honor and pleasure to be asked by Kim Racan to be the Master of Ceremonies for the Warriors Rock in Concert held at the Venice Performing Arts Center in Venice, Florida.

Gary and Kim Racan put on this amazing 2-hour concert and donated all of the proceeds from the ticket sales to the Sarasota County Veterans Commission and to have names engraved on the 9/11 and Fallen Heroes monument dedicated on September 11th, 2012 in Patriots Park located in Venice.

Gary and Kim are true American patriots.

Gary Racan formerly lead singer for The Vogues and producer of the Studio E Band.

Gary Racan is the leader and producer of Warriors Rock in Concert. Gary lead the internationally known recording group The Vogues for 16 years. The Vogues produced 14 songs that hit the charts. Gary’s wife Kim was a successful small business owner before becoming a partner in Studio Entertainment with dynamic event planner Bonnie Walker. Kim and Bonnie together manage Studio E Entertainment a nationally known boutique company.

Based on the success and growth of Gary and his Studio E Band, Gary and Kim decided to use their synergy to produce a concert called Warrior Rock, a musical tribute dedicated to our nations warrior veterans. The reason is that both Gary’s and Kim’s fathers were warrior veterans. As Gary said,

“My father was a Marine and growing up with him not only made you a very disciplined child but it made you appreciate the Military and what they did and continue to do for our freedoms!  Warriors Rock is a concert that Kim and I are very proud of using our music to pay tribute to Veterans in a unique production that audiences love.  We will continue these shows for years to come!”

Kim Racan from Studio E Entertainment.

What is unique about this concert is that it features local veterans who are video taped and asked about their military experiences and the song that most impacted them during their service. 

Every concert I have attended is usually about the band and their songs. With Gary, Kim and the Studio E Band the concert is all about honoring local veterans, their families and the veterans community.

The Warriors Rock concert is about the songs that touched the hearts of local warrior veterans and played by the Studio E Band with passion and love! Unique indeed! 

At the Venice concert eight warriors were interviewed and highlighted their service from WWII to the current Global War Against Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. The veterans and the songs that they chose, played so beautifully by the Studio E Band, were:

• WWII Veteran Jack Kurschner – IN THE MOOD, FLY ME TO THE MOON and FIVE O’CLOCK WORLD (a Vogues hit).
• Vietnam Veteran Ronald Babcock – WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE, MY GIRL and CRAZY.
• Retired U.S. Navy Veteran George Rothweiler – SOMEWHERE OUT THERE, AGAINST THE WIND and UNCHAINED MELODY.
• Iraq War Veteran Dr. Jeffrey Daughtry – DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA and SOUL AND INSPIRATION.
• Retired U.S. Army Veteran Rich Swier – LEAVIN ON A JET PLANE, PERFECT and BEST IS YET TO COME.
• Iraq War Veteran Lance Pastrana – AMERICAN SOLDIER, AT LAST and TWISTIN THE NIGHT AWAY
• Iraq War Veteran Jim Kyle – RUN THRU THE JUNGLE.
• Iraq War Veteran Barbara Vaughn – GOD BLESS THE USA.

The audience was enthralled by the meaningful songs picked by local warriors, the beautiful performance by Gary, Kim and the Studio E Band.

There was laughter, tears and a genuine show of America patriotism. Here’s an interview with Gary and Kim.

I can’t thank Gary and Kim enough for bringing their talent, love and patriotism to Florida. These are real people who care about our nation, its warriors and inspiring every American with the spirit of 1776.

A recent survey by the American Culture & Faith Institute found that 82% of Americans “feel proud to be an American.” I firmly believe that Kim and Gary are responsible for this love of America in great part.

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