Russ Murphy wrote “Welcome Home Soldier” for
Captain Chad Gross, one of his friends returning from his
servicein Iraq.  Russ thought that Chad and a few of his
friends would be the only ones to ever hear the song. 
Russ had no idea that, Mike Hammock, 2004 Inspirational
Country Music Male Vocalist of the Year, would also hear the song and re-record it in Nashville, Tennessee.  With award winning producer, Robert Jason, at the helm and some of Nashville’s finest studio musicians, the song was recorded and released on the HMG compilation disk to over 1,300 radio stations across the nation. 

In just a matter of months the song went to #1 on the national Inspirational charts and was nominated for 2006 ICM Song of the Year.  Since then Russ has performed the song to thousands in churches and for military events across the country, including events in Washington, D.C. and the West Point Military Academy in New York.