CARS OF COAL: A Tribute To Coal Miners - From A Coal Miner
NOTES REGARDING THIS VIDEO:
This isn’t a cheap grab for KZfaq views or an attempt to play off of the mystique and hardship associated with coal mining. That stuff is out there if you want to watch it. This is for those who have lived it - from someone who has lived it with you. I know about the coal that doesn’t wash off - the coal we take with us, the coal that is in us, the coal that becomes a part of us. It works into our bodies, gets in our blood, and sometimes it takes some of that body and blood back. There’s a price. It’s real life.
I wrote and recorded this song almost 15 years ago as a tribute to my father. I gave it to him on Father’s Day a few years after he retired. Until now, it has just been a song for family and a few friends. I performed all the music and sang the harmonies, but I need to thank my buddy, Brandon, for providing lead vocals on a song that is still hard for me to sing without my voice shaking. Brandon is a fellow coal miner. I still work with him today. He married my cousin, Samantha, and has been a good friend for many years.
We present this song now as a tribute to all my coal mining brothers and sisters across this nation. The fallen miners listed in this video are those whose deaths have impacted me throughout my career at the two different mines I have worked. To compile a list beyond that is more than what a coal miner’s hours will allow. Just know this tribute isn’t limited to those in the video. It’s for all of us, past and present. If you have a story or know someone you wish to recognize, please feel free to do so in the comments. That's what this is for. Recognition. Remembrance. And Respect!
There are more songs to come! Blessings!
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THANK YOU TO:
*My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
*My son, William, for the help with the video editing. We had a lot fun working on this together. He is a treasure and a blessing for this proud father.
*My wife, Monica, for her patience with a project that took away what little time I have away from the mine. She is the quintessential Christian lady and - other than the salvation of my soul - the best thing that ever happened to me. She also had some great suggestions!
*My son, Braxton, for being who he is and providing feedback. I am greatly blessed.
*My father for providing the original inspiration for this song.
*My mother for being the glue that held us together in the hard times.
*Brandon for providing lead vocals. Thanks, buddy!
*Pastor David and my brothers and sisters in Christ at CBC.
*Chris, Terry, Jason, and Brian - always
*Darrell, Charles, JJ, Randall, and Roger - for offering help and suggestions.
*Cody, for going above and beyond.✝️
*ALL who submitted pictures for this video (listed below). I couldn’t fit everything in, but I sincerely appreciate the response.
Brooks, a longtime coal mining friend who provided some key pictures that were used in the video.
Cody Justin and Beth
Dewayne “Radio” Frankie
Terry Chase
Travis “Spud” Eric
Kevin Bill
Brian and Collin
*ALL who supported, encouraged, and prayed for me during this project.
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THIS SONG IS AVAILABLE ON:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6bvZtE...
Apple Music: / cars-of-coal-single
Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/albums/B0CHJ...
Pandora, iHeartRadio, Tidal, and others.