SCOTTY HASTING JOINS COUNTRY HITMAKER LEE BRICE AND ICON DOLLY PARTON ON "Til The Last Shot's Fired," Out Now
Nashville, Tenn., October 18: 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 our 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," available now (10/18).
The song, initially recorded by Trace Adkins (with the West Point Choir), was written by Doug Johnson and Rob Crosby and deeply affected Scotty Hasting while recovering from being wounded in action.
"The first time I heard 'Til The Last Shot's Fired,' I was at Walter Reed," shared Hasting, who spent six months at the National Military Medical Center in recovery after being shot ten times while serving in Afghanistan. "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."
Fast-forward ten years to 2023, and a chance encounter in Nashville 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," confessed 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.
Like a ray of light straight out of Heaven, Dolly 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 to "Til The Last Shot's Fired" with Lee Brice and Dolly Parton via Black River HERE.
On November 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, as his Top 50 single "Whiskey In The Bottle" continues to climb at Country Radio.
ABOUT SCOTTY HASTING
"For me, the demons of PTSD knock the loudest when it's quiet. When I have a guitar in my hands, I find peace," says songwriter, artist, and Army Veteran Scotty Hasting. In April of 2011, the former Army Infantryman with the 1st Infantry Division 4th Squadron 4th Cavalry was left fighting for his life, flying out of Afghanistan on a medivac after being shot ten times. Narrowly escaping death, Hasting is now on a mission to help anyone struggling with loss or mental health find solace through his music. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky native's latest release, a special version of the deeply personal "Til The Last Shot's Fired" with Lee Brice and Dolly Parton, is out now (10/18). "The first time I heard this song (recorded by Trace Adkins), I was at Walter Reed," shared Hasting, who spent six months at the National Military Medical Center in recovery. "It was like something inside of me flipped. I started sobbing, and I couldn't stop. In that moment, I knew that I had to live life to the fullest for my friends that would never have the opportunity to." Hasting bares his heart to listeners in his debut EP, I'm America (5/3). After hearing the project's title track, "I'm America" (2/9), written by Wade Kirby and Phil O'Donnell, Hasting knew he had to record it. "Every single line of this song is why I decided to enlist in the Army," says Hasting. Hasting's debut single on Black River, "How Do You Choose" (11/3), strikes a chord with anyone who has been left to pick up the pieces from a life-changing moment that's left them asking God that age-old question. The "promising, impactful debut" (Billboard) details Hasting's first visit to best friend Adam Hamilton's tombstone following his death. Having found his escape from PTSD through archery and music, the "'I’m America' hitmaker" (People Magazine) devotes his time and talents to several organizations, including Pen Fed Foundation, CreatiVets, Guitars 4 Vets, and Operation Encore, to offer other veterans the same tranquility. Despite only first picking up a guitar in 2020, Hasting has already opened for incredible artists, including Dave Grohl, Tanya Tucker, Jelly Roll, Lee Brice, Chris Janson, and more. Hasting recently partnered with Operation Democracy and represented the U.S. with multiple performances in Normandy, France, during a week-long celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day (exclusive People photo diary HERE). Hasting then stepped into the coveted Circle for his Grand Ole Opry debut (7/28) during the Opry's celebration of 30 years of "Forrest Gump" and is slated to celebrate fellow Veterans at the second annual National Veteran's Parade in Washington, DC (11/10) this Veteran's Day as Grand Marshal and with a special Opening Ceremony Performance.
For more information and tour dates, please visit scottyhasting.com and follow Scotty Hasting on socials.
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