To The Fallen Records

TTFR Artists Chad Van Rys, Cliff Hudson, and Keni Thomas to perform at the 2009 Salute to Our Troops Celebration, hosted at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, March 18th in Reliant Park.

On March 18, 2009 Salute to Our Troops Houston Texas, underwritten and organized by private donors, will honor and embrace our military community at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The event will begin with an Appreciation Ceremony of music, commemorative tributes by special guest speakers, the Marine Corps Color Guard, Show Pride’s rendition of the national anthem and U.S. Air Force Fly By.

Troops, military guests and military dependents will then make their way into Reliant Stadium to enjoy an evening of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's unparalleled show featuring the 2009 RODEOHOUSTON™ BP Super Series 101 and star performances by Gary Allan and To The Fallen Records artists Chad Van Rys, Cliff Hudson and Keni Thomas.

The family-centric experience is designed to express appreciation to our troops and their families who demonstrate selfless dedication and service to our country.

You can visit the official website here.

Chad Van Rys:


“When I was on Active Duty, I used to play the guitar with some of my buddies, but then it changed a little. Instead of playing with my buddies, somehow I ended up playing for my buddies, and they were making requests and asking me to learn their favorite songs. I don't know what they would say, but as for me, the music was such a blessing out in the desert. It could have been a miserable day, but once I started playing the guitar and some of them started singing along, it almost felt like I was back home at the lake with some friends, just relaxing by a campfire. It was therapeutic.”

Chad Van Rys is currently prominently featured in "Born Again American" video launched by Norman Lear and Declare Yourself. Declare Yourself is a non-profit dedicated to encouraging people to serve their country, including military service. Visit him on his MySpace.

Cliff Hudson



Cliff Hudson is a singer/songwriter from Chattanooga, TN. He's written songs and played for about seven years now, however, the last four were spent across Europe and Africa with a final stop in Ar Ramadi, Iraq as an Infantry Squad leader with 3/8.

He has now found himself in Arkansas with his beautiful wife Ashley and is now able to give music its proper attention. He wrote four of his songs in Ramadi, and the rest have come as sort of a therapy in the past year since he returned home. Hudson explains, "The situation I was in had the fortunate outcome of giving me one hell of a level of appreciation for life and music, and I think that shows itself in the songs I write. Mostly I want to simply try and convey the joy in feeling the air in your lungs--everything else is workable."

Hudson hopes these songs help you all as much to hear as they helped him to write. He says, "To all of mine still out there you know what to do. The final step is coming home."

Visit him on his MySpace.

Keni Thomas


Whether standing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry or entertaining the troops in Iraq, the southern country-rocker is indeed using his God-given gifts to deliver a message through his words and his music. His undeniable charisma and tremendous talent as a singer, songwriter and performer have firmly established him as one of country music's brightest new stars.

Keni's new album, Gunslinger, is a collection of insightful songs that live and breathe the stories of life. Gunslinger is the follow-up to Thomas's critically acclaimed debut album, "Flags of Our Fathers." The first single "Shreveport 2 LA," produced by Thomas and co-written by hit writers Billy Montana and Mike Plume, is an infectious rocker that spent 4 months in the Top 10 on GAC.

"This catchy single is a terrific introduction to his finely crafted sophomore album," commented Billboard Magazine. "Thomas is an engaging vocalist and insightful songwriter with tons of personality onstage and off."

A dynamic live performer, Keni and his band, Cornbread, tour steadily both nationally and abroad opening for top artists like Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Trace Atkins, Montgomery Gentry and Wynonna. They have traveled for years to the Middle East, volunteering their time as part of the USO's "Hope and Freedom" holiday show. Keni and Cornbread even made the jump to Hollywood as the featured band in the Disney/Touchstone blockbuster, "Sweet Home Alabama".

As a songwriter, Thomas is quickly gaining recognition nationwide for his talent. His southern fried scorcher, "Alabama Home" was chosen as the official theme song for Talladega Superspeedway and was used in all national TV spots for the 2007 season. And there's more in store. Like the haunting title track Keni wrote for the upcoming feature film "Circle on the Cross" premiering in 2009. Music Row will tell you that as a songwriter, "Thomas weaves a powerful spell with understated elegance".

Visit him on his website.

Vote now in our Top Tracks contest!


We have five more songs up for this week's contest. It's easy to vote. Click here and you'll be taken to this week's Top 5 Tracks where you can vote for your favorite. The winner has a great chance to be on our next CD and will be featured on all of our sites for the following week.

This week's songs:

1. In My Eyes - 10' Fold 2. House of Fools - Matt Eusner 3. Daybreak - Zach Johnson 4. Road Less Traveled - G.R.E. 5. Think Before You Speak - xHere I Remainx

Check out all the songs and vote for your favorite here!

US MARINE CHAD VAN RYS TO PERFORM AT DECLARE YOURSELF’S “A NEW BIRTH OF CITIZENSHIP” INAUGURATION KICK-OFF EVENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 16, 2009 – To The Fallen Records announced today that US Marine and musician Chad Van Rys will perform at Declare Yourself's inauguration kick-off event on January 18th at 8pm at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC. The star-studded event, to benefit the national nonpartisan, nonprofit youth voter initiative, will celebrate young voters' unprecedented role in the election, and provide inspiration for ongoing civic involvement in the challenging months and years ahead.

The evening will feature a live debut of Declare Yourself's "Born Again American" song and video. Chad Van Rys, who is prominently featured in the video, will be on hand for the special performance. "Born Again American" is a specially commissioned song to move all listeners to recommit themselves to American citizenship, and asks citizens to pledge themselves to being "their country's keeper" through higher levels of service and civic engagement. Chad Van Rys, no stranger to self-sacrifice, has done multiple tours in Iraq and describes his service as: "to try and provide a place for all mankind to live in peace; to try and make a change in this world, no matter how large or small; to be a part of something greater than ourselves."

The evening's entertainment will be hosted by Jessica Alba, and features special musical guests including Maroon 5, Nuttin' But Stringz, spoken word artists Steve Connell and Sekou (Tha Misfit), celebrity DJ Samantha Ronson, and additional surprise appearances.

Watch the video:





Chad Van Rys on MySpace: www.myspace.com/chadvanrys

Purchase the song on iTunes!