Local band AVM writes song for troops in Iraq, families left behind

Robert Mackey isn't trying to make a political statement.

For him, the subject matter comes from his heart. His niece's husband is serving in Iraq. Mackey, of Roselle, knows the hardship that a family faces when one of their own is fighting in a war.

He knows about the loneliness of separation.

He knows about fearing bad news every time the phone rings.

More Coverage Video Video for 'So Hard' by AVM

He realizes the family of a soldier who leaves to fight in a war pays a price too.

Being an artist, Mackey wrote a song about the life of those people that soldiers leave behind - through the eyes of his niece and nephew.

"It's not about pro-war or anti-war," he said. "It's about the hardship of separation."

The song, titled "So Hard," was recently recorded by AVM, a Chicago-area band. Mackey is its lead singer.

They even recorded a video for the song.

It has been posted on more than 30 Internet Web sites since its release in October. They include MySpace, You Tube and Virb. On the band's MySpace page, the song has roughly 22,700 plays to date.

"A lot of people in the military have responded to our video," Mackey said.

The song - which will be featured on the band's upcoming album, "A Matter of Time" - also has been posted on musicfortroops.com. The Web site is a member of the Department of Defense "America Supports You" program that offers free music to troops. U.S. military personnel and veterans can download music for free after registering with the site.

The video and song both honor those who serve in the military and their families.

At the end of the video, a soldier comes home alive. But he wears a scar on his cheek.

"We thought it was important to have a scar on the cheek because it was symbolic," Mackey said. "They come back and they've changed. It changes them forever."

In addition to Mackey, the band consists of Scott Carlin of Roselle, Steve Birkett of Lisle, Gerry Runge of Homer Glen, and Martin Steen of Lake Zurich.

Mackey is a full-time singer/songwriter and music producer. He owns Soundwerks commercial recording studio in Addison.

Mackey and the band regularly participate in a variety of fundraising events. They've played at the Taste of Roselle for more than a decade. Every year, they participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. It's another issue close to Mackey's heart. His mother died after a battle with cancer.

AVM will perform Saturday in Des Plaines to benefit a battered women's shelter. The show will take place at Casa Royale Banquets, 783 Lee St.