A new album by Navy veteran and award-winning musician Greg Lato features songs co-written and co-sung by real-life military children.
The title track of “Dandelion: Songs Inspired by Military Kids and Families” features a military kids choir from CAMMO (Center for American Military Music Opportunities) in Virginia.
“I have always wanted to highlight and amplify the voices of military kids and families,” he explained. “I was genuinely interested in their stories and what the families go through, whether it is moving from place to place, meeting new friends, constantly being the new kid, dealing with a spouse and parent who is away and the wonderful support system they encounter wherever they go.”
Lato called the album “Dandelion” because it is the official flower of the military child.
“It represents the resilience and adaptability of military children,” he said. “I have listened to these wonderful military families to make their voices heard through song.”
Lato said he wanted to hear from families directly about their specific experiences in order to challenge himself to write songs based on those experiences.
“I am letting people who are not in that world know what they go through and endure to serve this country and allow us to enjoy the freedoms we all have,” he said. “I also believe the project has helped all the families that I met with tremendously to share their stories and make them feel like they are not alone in their experiences.”
Lato, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, grew up surrounded by an “encouraging Italian family” that included his father, legendary jazz sax player Vinny Lato, who played for such artists as Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole and The Righteous Brothers.
“Growing up in that environment and diving into his record collection gave me the bug for music,” he said. “I started writing my own melodies to songs from the age of 7 and never looked back.”
Lato served as an aircraft fighter on the flight deck of the USS Constellation for four years.
“I originally wanted to become a firefighter, which is why I joined,” he said. “I have so many great memories of friendships made and traveling to different countries.”
Lato has also written several children’s books.
“My first children’s book, 'Try,’ is about not being afraid to take chances and my second children’s book, 'Everybody Needs Someone,' is an inclusive ode to friendship, family, togetherness and belonging. Both books have a song of the same name that goes with them.”
Lato’s last album, ‘Adults These Days,’ reached the top 10 on the iTunes Children’s Music Chart. Check out his “Dandelion” album page here and his website here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.