What happens when you combine the artistry of a Purple Heart recipient, a Country music hitmaker, and a living legend?
Magic, in the form of a haunting ballad honoring fallen veterans while a "prayer for peace" emerges.
Artist, songwriter and Purple Heart recipient Scotty Hasting enlisted the help of country music hitmaker Lee Brice and the iconic Dolly Parton on the deeply personal and thought-provoking "Til The Last Shot’s Fired."
The song, initially recorded by Trace Adkins with the West Point Choir, was written by Doug Johnson and Rob Crosby and affected Hasting while he was recovering from being wounded in action.
"The first time I heard 'Til The Last Shot's Fired,' I was at Walter Reed," said Hasting, who spent six months at the National Military Medical Center in recovery after being shot ten times while serving in Afghanistan in a statement. "It was like something inside of me flipped. I started sobbing, and I couldn't stop. At that moment, I knew that I had to live life to the fullest for my friends who would never have the opportunity to. I wasn't going to let my injuries dictate how I lived my life or for their sacrifice to be in vain."
A chance encounter in Nashville in 2023 led Hasting to Doug Johnson, one of the song's writers and the VP of A&R at Black River Entertainment. That meeting quite literally changed the course of Hasting's life and led to his recording and publishing deals.
Hasting's release of his own version of "Til The Last Shot's Fired," produced by Doug Johnson, is an emotional, full-circle moment. Having Lee Brice and Dolly Parton on the track takes it to an unbelievable new level.
"This collaboration means the world to me," said Hasting. "I'm honored that Lee and Ms. Dolly want to be a part of not only this song but also my story and my journey. My hope for 'Til The Last Shot's Fired,' is that it brings peace to fellow veterans, and their families, who are struggling."
The solemn track opens with Hasting painting a lyrical scene just outside of Nashville in 1864 during the Civil War before leading into the chorus begging for a prayer for peace. Brice picks up the grave story in 1944, where the soldier "waded through the blood of Omaha Shore."
"This song shook me to the core the first time I heard it," shared Brice. "I am a huge supporter of our military community, and every word of 'Til The Last Shot's Fired' makes me think of the surreal circumstances our brave service members endure to keep us safe. It was an honor to record this song with Scotty, who is a huge talent, and of course, the one and only Dolly being a part of this made it even more special."
As the chilling story continues to unfold through the fields of Vietnam and the mountains of Afghanistan, the heartbroken and exhausted soldiers are met with an unexpected respite.
Parton breaks the desperation with hope and a prayer for peace for every daughter and every son, even adlibbing a final "Pray for Peace" in a whisper as the song closes.
"I am proud to be a part of this wonderful song," said Parton. "May we all lift up a prayer for peace."
Listen here.
On Nov. 10, Hasting is slated to celebrate with fellow Veterans at a performance during the Second Annual Veterans Parade in Washington D.C., where he is set to act as Grand Marshal.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.