Scotty Hasting to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France

Nashville, Tenn., May 22: Black River recording artist, songwriter, and Army Veteran Scotty Hasting builds on a career-high spring with the announcement that he is slated to honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. In the company of WWII Veterans, Generals, actors, and more, Hasting is booked for numerous performances during the once-in-a-lifetime commemoration. Representing the United States as an artist following the 5/3 release of his debut EP, I'm America, is a fitting way for Hasting to celebrate with fellow Veterans.

On June 6, the combat-wounded former Army Infantryman is set to represent the United States with multiple performances in Normandy, France during a week-long celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. 

While in France, Hasting will spend time with six surviving WWII veterans, countless Generals and members of the military, and several actors from Band of Brothers, the popular HBO series created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, which was filmed in Sainte-Mère-Église, France. Additionally, Hasting will have performances with the band, Band of Brothers.

News of this upcoming honor follows major appearances for Hasting, including Good Morning America with Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and Robin Roberts (3/7), FOX' America's Newsroom with Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer (3/29), and a halftime performance during the AFL's Nashville Kats' Armed Forces game (5/18).

“The story of how Hasting went from the battlefield to performing for [Garth] Brooks and thousands of others is one of resilience, determination and hope." - Audacy’s Connecting Vets

Since the release of I'm America, the EP's focus track, "Whiskey in the Bottle" and title track "I'm America" have received spots on top playlists including Apple Music's New in Country and Country USA; Spotify's New Music Friday Country; Amazon Music's Breakthrough Country; and VEVO's DSCVR Country and Incoming Country, in addition to securing the covers of Pandora's Country House Party and Patriotic Country stations.

Now Top 40 and climbing, "I'm America," which earned praise from Billboard, Country Now, and more has surpassed a million streams since its February 9 release, setting the stage for the entirety of I'm America.

“Every song on I’m America is my heart and soul being thrown out there for everyone to hear. It shows listeners who I am, and where my heart is," reveals Hasting, who suffered injuries after being shot 10 times while serving in Afghanistan. "It's a little scary but it’s mostly exciting because I want this music and what I'm doing to truly help somebody. To give them hope to try tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. Then five or ten years down the road, for them to look back and see all the good things they’ve gained since they made the decision to just try tomorrow. At the end of the day, that's all that matters."

True to his mission, Hasting hopes I'm America will help those struggling with loss or mental health while also appreciating this great land we call home. Each track on I'm America touches on those sentiments, sharing with listeners that there is hope in the darkness and a light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm America Track Listing

1. "Whiskey In The Bottle" - Written by Matt Alderman, Lee Brice, Adam Wood

2. "I'm America" - Written by Wade Kirby, Phil O’Donnell *

3. "Runnin'" - Written by Doug Johnson, Scotty Hasting, Shannon Book

4. "How Do You Choose" - Written by Scotty Hasting, Jesse Wayne Taylor in association with CreatiVets

5. "Stories That They Tell (Acoustic)" - Written by Scotty Hasting, Doug Johnson

6. "Good Ol' Dogs and God" - Written by Elvie Shane, Adam Wood, Doug Johnson, Trent Fisher

All songs are produced by Doug Johnson.

*"I'm America" is produced by Doug Johnson, Wade Kirby and Phil O'Donnell

For more information and tour dates, please visit scottyhasting.com and follow Scotty Hasting on socials.

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 Calvary was left fighting for his life flying out of Afghanistan on a medivac after being shot ten times. Narrowly escaping death, Hasting was left with severe nerve damage to his right hand and a loss of purpose as he was unable to continue his journey in the army. In 2020, when COVID-19 hit and shut down most of the world, the Purple Heart recipient picked up the unused guitar that sat in the corner of his room, opened YouTube, and set out to teach himself how to master the instrument in hopes of fighting the isolation and silence. Hasting was immediately overtaken by this new passion and began to write his own original music, attending his first open mic night in Cookeville, TN — a night that changed his life forever as he found that he was able to escape his PTSD while on stage performing. In classic Nashville fashion, a chance encounter with the son of Black River Entertainment's President and CEO, Gordon Kerr, brought him into the sights of renowned hit songwriter, producer, and Black River's Vice President of A&R Doug Johnson, which led to the signing of Hasting's record deal with Black River late in 2023. Now on a mission to help anyone struggling with loss or their mental health find solace through his music, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky native 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, Hasting devotes his time and talents to several organizations, including CreatiVets, Guitars 4 Vets, 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, Chris Janson, and more, and is slated to represent the U.S. with multiple performances in Normandy, France during a week-long celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day this June 6th.