reprinted from the Courier Journal

June 30, 2004

Get Right or Get Left
By Jill Oliver for the Courier Journal

There is a new force in the music industry, a dynamic duo whose passion is writing and music; they are both from Florence and their time is now. Aaron Sain and Frank Highland are the Right Brothers and their first CD , "For My Country" has just been released for public consumption.

It is more than appropriate that these two writer/musicians call the Renaissance City home considering our city's richly diverse musical heritage. Aaron moved to Florence with his family in the fifth grade and remained here until he began college at Freed Hardeman University. Aaron still calls Florence home and visits his family here; his dad is the preacher at Wood Avenue Church of Christ.

In the early '90's Aaron moved to Nashville to pursue his dream of making it in the music business. About that time the music Aaron listened to was phasing out. "The big hair bands of the 80's whose music I enjoyed so much, such as Def Leppard, Poison and Bon Jovi, were suddenly just gone. And when the music scene went alternative, I turned to country."

That switch to country music set ablaze a passion for songwriting and a hunger for anything he could learn about producing music. Writing incessantly, Aaron was supporting his wife and new baby with graphics design and sales jobs. Though every spare moment was spent in his studio behind their home poring over music and lyrics, Aaron was experiencing no success with the songs he was writing. "In 1993 I decided I'd had enough; it was time to stop chasing a dream. I loaded up all of my equipment and decided to put it in consignment. I got halfway to the store and I just could not go through with it."

"I prayed about it and then turned it over to God,"Aaron explained. With the full support of his wife, he decided to give writing his all for one more year. Within six months of that decision, Aaron had landed a job as a staff writer with a big music company. Several years later, he had a pivotal run-in with an old acquaintance from home - Frank Highland.

Frank was born and raised in Florence and while he and Aaron knew each other casually, they were never close friends. However, like Aaron his obsession with music and writing began at an early age. Frank began playing guitar, and trying to write songs at fifteen. "When I had mastered three chords on the guitar, I began writing songs day and night," said Frank. "I was always writing, even if it was just copying the lyrics to songs on the radio to get a feel for the formula."

While at UNA studying commercial music, Frank wrote a song and sent it to Fame Studios. Though the song was never recorded, Frank was encouraged to learn the big music guys felt his songwriting had potential. And it later opened the door for another song to be recorded by the Mel Tillis Publishing Company.

Frank's degree in Recording Industry Management from Middle Tennessee State University and his passion for writing paid off in 1996 when he landed a job as a songwriter with McGraw Music, Tim McGraw's music company. He also later worked as a staff writer at Music Genesis. During that time Frank met up with Aaron on Music Row, altering the course of the future for both men.

Frank and Aaron booked a time to write together and soon began attending the same church. The terrorist attacks in 2001 affected even the music industry in Nashville. So, when the music company where Frank was working closed, he opened his own swimming pool maintenance business. "I was servicing pools and cutting grass to support my family. And in the evenings I was writing with Aaron at the studio," Frank explained.

The two became best friends whose love for writing and interest in politics began to meld. "We became pretty much addicted to Fox News," said Aaron laughingly. Frank added, "Aaron and I agreed that the standards and values of this country have just plummeted in the last fifteen years. Everything that is right has been called into question; decency is under attack."

Aaron and Frank began writing politically edged songs which express their beliefs and their love for this country.

Three months of late nights turning into early mornings birthed their first album together, The Right Brothers. Frank explained, "We are dedicated to waking up the silent majority, motivating them to make a stand for the conservative principles that were the original premise of this country." Aaron agreed, "We're just preaching to the choir; so many people feel as passionately about America as we do. We hope our music will stir those folks up."

One of the songs, entitled Hey, Hollywood! is their response to the America-bashing actors and actresses who criticize President Bush for taking the war to Iraq. The website, www.rightmarch.com, recently posted a link to the song, and in 72 hours, 15,000 people had downloaded it.

The two artists began to realize that the political landscape is changing. "One of the first songs we wrote for the album was From Here On Out. It is our battle cry," Frank stated. "Being conservative by nature, we both began to take more of an interest in politics during the mid-'90's. We live in the greatest country on earth and it will only stay that way if good people speak their minds, voice their opinions and cast their votes. As the famous saying goes, 'All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.' As for us, political apathy is no longer an option," Frank added.

Like many Americans, the Right Brothers felt inadequate in their ability to express their thanks to our troops. "In some small way we wanted to say what was in our hearts," Aaron said. Frank came to the table with most of the title song, For My Country, already finished. As it turned out I was able to help him finish it". The second verse says, turned on the news first thing this morning, saw where two more soldiers died so I could sleep in peace last night in my country. "That is exactly what happened to me," Aaron said. "I woke up - flipped on the TV and the first words I heard were, 'Two more American soldiers were killed today (last night) in Iraq.' This song seems to be touching people in a special way and we're just thankful to be a part of it."

Aaron and Frank also celebrated the release of their album by shipping a case of CD's to the troops in Afghanistan and the spouses at 101st Airborne in Ft. Campbell, KY.

The CD includes a total of 10 original songs and is being officially released on July 4, although copies may be purchased now from their website at www.therightbrothers.com. Copies may also be obtained by mailing a check or money order for $15 per CD to: The Right Brothers, 628 Brook Drive, Antioch, TN 37013 and they will get a copy right out to you.

For My Country is from the heart and soul of Aaron Sain and Frank Highland to yours. For more information about these two talented native sons, you may visit their website, www.therightbrothers.com