About the Organization
Since 2019, Songs of Survivors has been dedicated to helping veterans who have experienced physical and mental traumas recover through the healing power of music. In workshops designed to encourage communication and creativity and facilitated by a professional songwriter, veterans can share their stories and then participate in writing a song that reflects their challenges and triumphs. That song is subsequently produced using state-of-the-art equipment and expert engineers, giving veterans a song about their lives that they can call their own.
SOS is led by a small staff and a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of community partners from areas that highlight the mission of Songs of Survivors: Accounting, Government Relations, Legal, Marketing, Mental Health, and Music Publishing.
Healing through the power of sharing experiences, songwriting, and music creation.
To help those in need of healing through the power of music.
In 2019, David St. Romain, a music artist turned community advocate, created Songs of Survivors to help military veterans heal through songwriting workshops. Within a year of conducting its first workshop, Songs of Survivors became a nonprofit with funding from individual donors, Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, and Olin Corporation. David established partnerships with various veteran-serving organizations throughout Louisiana, including The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and The Veterans Administration. Veterans can now participate in workshops throughout the year in different cities across the state.
David St Romain is the founder and executive director of Songs of Survivors, a nonprofit organization located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that is dedicated to helping veterans heal through the power of music. David served eight years in the Louisiana Army National Guard and has spent more than 30 years in the music industry. In 2007, he placed third on USA Network’s Nashville Star out of thousands of contestants and spent the next several years touring the United States. David has more than 10,000 performances under his belt and has released more than 100 recordings. He has written songs with the best songwriters in the music industry, including Randy Owen of Alabama and Dan Tyler, a Nashville songwriter and producer who has numerous number one hits in his catalog.
David began to experience the most fulfilling period of his life when he decided to combine his love of the military with his love of music. Through his philanthropic work with veterans, David has been able to bring the healing aspect of music to those who have experienced PTSD and other traumas as a result of their service. He also works with numerous organizations to connect those in need with those who can help. David is a featured inspirational speaker at conferences and events and on radio and television shows.
David was recently honored with the Roddy Richard Life Achievement Award from Louisiana Youth Seminar. He is also a graduate of Leadership Louisiana’s class of 2022.
Susan Mustafa is a New York Times and San Francisco Chronicle bestselling author, as well as an award-winning investigative journalist. Her books have been translated and published in nine languages. She had been prominently featured in several docuseries and numerous television programs that have aired on FX, A&E, Hulu, Discovery, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, Oxygen, and National Geographic. Susan is also an experienced public speaker.
Susan earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communication and journalism from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she won numerous awards for writing, including the Public Service in Journalism award.
Susan has always been dedicated to helping others, and she has a long history of writing about nonprofit organizations in an effort to bring attention to the good work they do. The Songs of Survivors mission to help veterans through the power of music is especially meaningful to her because her father and brother are retired veterans.
Board Chairman
I remember the day in 2018 when David and I had lunch and he told me about his idea for Songs of Survivors. He spoke with such passion and joy as he explained his vision and calling to help those who have suffered the same pain as he has. I knew from that moment that I wanted to do whatever I could to help that vision become a reality. To know the difference David is making in peoples lives through the power of music is amazing, and I’m very proud and honored to serve on this board.
Vice Chairman
Songs of survivors has a mission and purpose very near and dear to my heart. In addition to the ample research showing the therapeutic effects of song writing as a mode of healing emotional trauma, I can personally attest to the cathartic effect that music has had for me in my life. Songwriting is a deep meditation. It is also a process. In the end we're left with a song, which is a story, a thing of beauty distilled from this life experience we are all sharing. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of an organization doing this work. And there is much work to be done.
One of the greatest gifts mankind has given themselves is music. It is such a powerful tool. Everyone likes music in some way. We don't all have the opportunity to learn how it is made, so to just sit down and listen to professional walk you through the process of how a song is developed really makes the songs on the radio sound different. So I would encourage any of my battle buddies to come and check it out; they are going to find something very fulfilling in these workshops.
I am honored to be involved in Songs for Survivors. I have the utmost respect for David St Romain and his passion for this organization. David is more than just a face, he is a zealous advocate. The positive impact of the programs will touch so many that need healing and confidence. I hope that my contributions can further advance the important work of this great alliance.
Growing up around family members that were in the Armed Services gave me an insight into the demanding and often unforgiving lifestyles that veterans of our armed forces are faced with. Throughout my fourth, fifth, and sixth grade years of elementary school I lived in Honolulu, Hawaii (Schofield Barracks) and Fayetteville, North Carolina (Fort Bragg) with my mother and then stepfather who served in the Army. As I reflect on my time there and seeing the mission that Songs of Survivors stands for, I feel not only a sense of obligation, but also a sense of responsibility to serve on this board and help maximize its' mission's outcome.
I am joining the Board because I want to offer mental health services to those actively serving and Veterans as well. I have an eclectic approach to counseling and offer a variety of modalities. In addition to my Psychology background, I have a background in Marriage & Family Therapy as well.
We would love to hear from you!
Louisiana Office of Cultural Development & the Office of Lt Governor Billy Nungesser
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Huey & Angelina Wilson Foundation
Louisiana National Guard
Longbranch Recovery Center
Hero Program
Olin Corporation
Acadian Automation
Hargrove Foundation
Bengal Transportation
Bayou Apparel
Cajun Controls
Global Power & Controls
PreSonus
Modern Woodmen Of America
PHONE:
(225) 443-9330
ADDRESS:
7809 Jefferson Hwy. Suite E3,
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
EIN: 84-3289456
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