News

Musician pens Packers tune

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

	Song available online To support the free download and mental health services of Catholic Charities, send checks payable to: Catholic Charities, "Big Game," Box 23825, Green Bay, WI 54305.

GREEN BAY -- Now that the season is over, Packers fans seeking a keepsake to commemorate the 2007 season can support people in need in the process.

Proceeds from Randy Stary's rockabilly Packers tune "Rock to the Big Game" benefit mental health services of Catholic Charities.

A DVD featuring the song and photos of Packer fans, including some in character, by Chris Vanderheyden is available at Green Bay locations including Bona Hall on the diocesan campus, Bosse's, The Exclusive Company, Titletown Brewing, and Robert W. Baird & Co. The cost is $5. The song may also be downloaded at randystary.fuzz.com.

Stary, senior vice president of investments at Robert W. Baird, never intended to write a Packers song.

"I'm a church band guitarist," he said. "I play with a group at 10:30 (a.m. Mass) at St. Bernard's (Green Bay). I was practicing for Christmas Eve Mass and I found a chord pattern that I liked. I put some lyrics to it and made it a Packers song."

Stary's 17-year-old son, Daniel, plays in a band and has an interest in the technical side of music. They were able to lay down a track of the song using a Firebox music recording system.

"It really began as an educational project for my son," said Stary. "I have a friend in Appleton who has a recording studio, so I thought it would also be fun to make a recording of the song there."

Following the session, Steve Dirtzu, owner of the recording studio, enhanced the guitar track.

"The guitar work was so neat," said Stary. "I played it for a few friends and they encouraged me to do something with it. I decided to see what I could do for a charitable cause."

Stary, who serves as a member of the Catholic Charities Board of Trustees, said his choice for any proceeds was an easy one.

"My family has a long history working for the diocese," he said, and I recognize the good work of the mental health arm of Catholic Charities and the needs to provide those services."

At fuzz.com, information is provided on Stary's artist profile as well as details for donations to Catholic Charities.

"The response has been nice," he said. "I've heard from friends and clients who have asked me, 'Where do I send the check?' People are asked to donate to support free downloads for Packers fans. I know we will make a minimum of $3,500 to $5,000."

Stary performed the song live on Fox 11 during the Packers' playoff run. "Rock to the Big Game" could also be heard on local radio.

"It's been a lot of fun," he said. "I am by no means a professional musician or songwriter."

Stary credits A New Genesis Sr. Carol Haanen and Franciscan Sr. Ann Rehrauer for teaching him how to play the guitar as a seventh grader at St. Matthew School in Allouez. He played at the Saturday afternoon Mass until he left for college at Marquette in Milwaukee.

"I was involved in chorus and musicals during high school at Abbott Pennings," he said. "We also had our little bands. We would play the occasional convocation at St. Joseph Academy (Green Bay). We would break out some Bachman-Turner Overdrive."

"Rock to the Big Game" was the number one free download on fuzz.com during the week prior to the NFC Championship game, and Stary's artist ranking climbed from number 176 to 19.

"I'm in the top 20," he joked. "I'm happy for any notoriety for the song that raises awareness and interest in the services of Catholic Charities."