(by Jonathan Sprout)

To me, a hero is a person (not a cartoon character) we look up to, who excites us, who shows us inspiring possibilities and who has good character.  Some people become heroes in an instant, by rescuing another, for example.  This is a beautiful thing.  The heroes I’ve recorded songs about were ongoing heroes because of their character traits.  I consider the qualities of courage, perseverance, good citizenship, compassion, fairness and honesty some of the best of qualities a person could hope to have.

Every country has its amazing heroes.  My focus is with American Heroes, not because America has the best of heroes, but simply because America is where I have always lived.  Perhaps someday I will learn more about and write about heroes from other lands.

Meanwhile, I have compiled here some of my research and notes about the twenty American Heroes featured on my two heroes CDs (American Heroes and More American Heroes).  This can be a starting place for your research.  The links I have included should help get you on your way to becoming a heroes expert.

When we learn about and look up to great people, we cannot help but become like them.  This is a fundamental law in the way the Universe works.  We attract into our lives the things we most think of, speak about and act upon.  I encourage you to dream about your heroes, to wonder how they would handle certain situations you are now facing, to fantasize that they are looking over your shoulder, offering you valuable advice.

As historian Daniel Boorstin writes:  “A hero is known for achievements, a celebrity for well-knownness.  The hero reveals the possibilities of human nature.  The celebrity reveals the possibilities of the press and media.  Celebrities are people who make news.  Heroes are people who make history.”

We have enough celebrities in this world.  Let’s get to know more about our heroes.