RI Musician Greg Lato Is Giving Military Families a Voice - And Topping the Charts

RI Musician Greg Lato Is Giving Military Families a Voice - And Topping the Charts

A Rhode Island veteran and musician who is giving military families a voice on his latest album is now seeing his efforts rise to the top of the charts.

Narragansett resident Greg Lato’s recently released “Dandelion: Songs Inspired by Military Kids and Families” has topped the iTunes children’s music rankings, and for Lato, it has been a deeply personal endeavor to share what being a “military family” is through song.

Lato, who served in the United States Navy, embarked on the musical project to feature the stories of kids in military families, and says he did not expect the response it has received. 

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“So I exclusively do music for the children and families. And for this album, I wanted to do something a little different. I am a Navy veteran, so I wanted to kind of like incorporate my service into the project,” said Lato. 

 

From Musical Family to Military - and Back to His Roots 

“My dad was a jazz musician who played for Tony Bennett; he played with the Righteous Brothers,” said Lato. “So I grew up in that environment of my dad being a musician.”

Lato, who was “writing melodies” from eight years old, said he caught the “musical bug” in earnest while at North Providence High School. 

His path took him to CCRI and RIC, and then out to Los Angeles where he said he “did some acting and singing” before he heeded the call of the military. 

“I was in the Navy for four years; I was an aircraft firefighter on the flight deck of a carrier,” said Lato, who was stationed in San Diego - and also traveled extensively internationally. 

“It was amazing,” said Lato of his experience. 

But the music bug was always there, and when Lato returned to Rhode Island, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service.

“Basically to fund my musical endeavors,” laughed Lato. 

 

 

Wider Reach

With two children’s albums under his belt, Lato had the idea of tapping into military families in the area, to give a voice to kids of service members. 

“So I came up with the concept that I would meet with the families, and based on those meetings and conversations, it would inspire all the songs on the album,” said Lato. “So I had a videographer come with me and set up meetings, found the families, and then sat down with them and asked them questions and just had a conversation with them.”

“And based on whatever was said, it could spark a song idea,” said Lato, of the kids, who ranged in ages - and experiences. 

“There definitely was a common theme that’s central to the military family experience, which is moving place to place, and being the new kid at school,” said Lato. “Some of the kids like it and some kids don’t; so then I would ask, because they move around a lot, what does ‘home’ mean to you?”

Aptly enough, songs on Lato’s album include such titles as “Old School New School,” “Home is Not a Place,” and, from a military parent’s perspective, “Before I Had Kids.” 

And now, Lato’s latest album has risen to the top of the iTunes charts for children’s songs worldwide. 

Lato says he credits the military families - and “network” - for his success. 

“It’s been really positive in the military organizations that got on board early in the process, they are really loving it, too,” said Lato.

You can find his music and upcoming shows here.