THE STAND Author Speaks in Chicago This Weekend

[globalmedia]

AVIATION NEWS
For immediate release
Contact: Alice@sopwithmotorsports.com
July 7, 2009

“THE STAND” AUTHOR SPEAKS IN CHICAGO THIS WEEKEND
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE REQUESTS BOOK TOUR DATE
****
MUSIC VIDEO FROM LUKE DOCUMENTARY RELEASED TODAY
****
THE STAND Makes Cover of Over The Front Magazine
League President Dick Bennett Reviews THE STAND

The second stop on the national speaking tour for the new book, THE STAND: The Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr., is slated for this Saturday, July 11, at the Restaurant Klas Chicago at 5734 West Cermak Road in Cicero, a near west side suburb of Chicago. The day begins at noon with announcements and a meal, followed by a one-hour presentation by THE STAND author Stephen Skinner. The event is free and open to the public.

“I have to say I’m really looking forward to this particular event,” Skinner said. “These guys have been really enthusiastic and its great to go speak to people who are that excited about hearing you. And they’re so educated on the topic. They really know World War I aviation. We won’t spoil the whole book, but I’ll definitely talk about some of the new discoveries that have changed the history of Frank Luke.”

The members of Chicago’s Cross & Cockade chapter of WWI aviation enthusiasts and the OX-5 club are expected to combine for one of the biggest audiences of the year. Skinner will speak on his experiences while researching in France, and the unexpected discoveries that forever altered the story of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr. Following his speech, a book signing will be held. Copies of THE STAND, THE QUEST, the new DVD documentary, and prints of Russell Smith’s cover art will all be available on site.

The book tour for THE STAND is sponsored by the League of World War I Aviation Historians (World War I Aviation Magazine - Over the Front) and Welcome to The Aerodrome - Aces and Aircraft of World War I.

Luke Air Force Base recently requested a date on THE STAND’s tour as well. Details are now being finalized, but Luke AFB has suggested an early September date. The US Air Force Academy is also working to schedule a date. Other events already on schedule include Dayton, Austin, San Antonio and Phoenix. For complete details on the book tour, visit www.THESTANDfrankluke.com.

Music Video Released Today

The long-awaited theme song from the new documentary on Frank Luke (“The Search for THE STAND”) is scheduled for release today, July 8, at 3 pm EDT. The theme song “Back In Time,” as well as an exclusive interview with artist Olivia Kay, will be available on the front page at www.THESTANDfrankluke.com. The behind-the-scenes interview with Olivia in the studio is posted first, the music video is second. Simply click on the first video and both will play in succession.

“To have an original musical score and a full video production on a World War I aviation project is unprecedented,” author Stephen Skinner said. “You just don’t see that kind of effort and investment made in a World War I book or documentary. Most of the time we’re lucky to get a publisher to print a book at all. But we really wanted to raise the bar for THE STAND and go first class. We didn’t just want a documentary – we wanted it shot on location in France. We didn’t just want it shot on location – we wanted it to have its own original theme song composed by an original artist with a full music video. I hope people can appreciate how extraordinarily rare it is to have this sort of effort go into a World War I book and documentary. Everyone put in an unbelievable effort.”

Olivia Kay is a 16-year-old singer/songwriter (www.OliviaKay.org) whose skills were recently on display during her first live tour throughout the Midwest. Her “Back In Time” video was filmed on location in Murvaux and Dun-sur-Meuse, France, as well Webb Studios in central Indiana. The music video is also included on the bonus disc that comes with the new Luke documentary, The Search for THE STAND. The “Back In Time” video will also be released on Welcome to The Aerodrome - Aces and Aircraft of World War I and World War I Aviation Magazine - Over the Front.

THE STAND Makes Cover of Over The Front Magazine

The new issue of Over The Front has been released this week (Volume 24, Number 2, Summer 2009) and the latest brilliant artwork from Russell Smith graces the cover. Smith’s painting, also titled “THE STAND,” was originally created exclusively for the cover of the new book of the same name.

The current issue of Over The Front includes a 5-page article by Smith on the evolution of his painting and the research that supported it. Smith’s new painting is the most accurate rendition of Luke’s last flight ever put on canvas, even including historically correct representations of tracer fire from nearby machine guns (from the correct direction) and the serial number of Luke’s SPAD XIII fighter plane.

Smith said, “In the case of THE STAND, the facts surrounding the incident were more dramatic than any imaginary scenario I could have created, but thanks in large part to Stephen (Skinner’s) meticulous research, this project came together quite smoothly.”

A full color version of THE STAND may be seen at www.THESTANDfrankluke.com. Both paper and canvas prints of the original painting are also available for order on the web site.

Dick Bennett, president of the League of World War I Aviation Historians, wrote the most recent review of THE STAND in the current issue of Over The Front. Bennett said, “Combing through sources as diverse as newspaper clippings and cartridge casings, Skinner has reconstructed Luke’s life from birth to death, and in the process resolved many of the conflicting interpretations of his story… The result is a reconstruction of Luke’s story that will probably never be outdone.”

To obtain a copy of the current issue of Over The Front or to join its parent organization, the League of World War I Aviation Historians, visit World War I Aviation Magazine - Over the Front.

[globalmedia]

The national book tour for THE STAND: The Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr. continues on Saturday, August 1st, when author Stephen Skinner speaks to the League of WWI Aviation Historians local chapter in Dayton, Ohio.

The event begins at 1pm at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center near the Wright Patterson Air Force Base.