for Your Grammy® Consideration
The Harry Belafonte
Best Song for Social Change Award
“Heart of This Town”
Best Country Song – “Heart of This Town”
Best American Roots Song – “Heart of This Town”
Best Americana Performance – “Heart of This Town”
Best American Roots Performance – “Heart of This Town”
Song for Social Change
“Heart of This Town” addresses a timely social issue: the mental health impact of repeated trauma on first responders and the stigma that can prevent them from seeking care. Its lyrics bring greater public attention to the emotional cost of service and the need for meaningful pathways to healing.
First responders serve all over the world. They are part of every community, and many face similar trauma, loss and emotional burdens.
Rooted in Chien Yu’s experience during the Eaton Fire, the song also speaks to families, neighbors and entire communities recovering from disaster, trauma and loss. Its themes of service, home and hope extend beyond the first responder experience, helping listeners recognize what people carry and how communities can heal together.
Across fire, law enforcement, EMS and emergency communications, these challenges cross rank, language and geography. The song promotes awareness, raises consciousness and builds empathy for a community whose mental health needs often remain unseen.
By opening a more honest conversation about trauma, healing and help-seeking, “Heart of This Town” has the power to change how first responders see care and how the public sees those who serve. Its message can strengthen first responders, support families and deepen the connection between those who serve and the communities that depend on them.
Song Credits
Written by: Jonathan Firey, Randy Spendlove and Chien Yu
Produced by: Jonathan Firey and Randy Spendlove
Engineered by: Joel Jacks
Mixed by: Ela Sierra at Larrabee Studios, Los Angeles, California
Acoustic and electric guitars, bass, piano, drum and synth programming: Jonathan Firey
Drums: Austin Beede
Lap steel: Greg Leisz
The Story Behind the Song
Chien protected his community for 36 hours. Then he came home to ashes.
Pasadena Fire Engineer Chien Yu evacuated his wife and two sons from their Altadena home before returning to duty during the Eaton Fire. After the fire destroyed his own home, Chien and his wife searched the ashes and recovered one deeply personal item: the wedding band she had given him.
“Having this song is what got me through this difficult week”
— Chien Yu, reflecting on the first anniversary of the Eaton Fire
At Larrabee Studios, Chien collaborated with Jonathan Firey, a singer-songwriter with more than two decades of experience, and Randy Spendlove, a multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning producer and music executive. Together, they transformed his experience of service, loss and hope into an original song.
Jonathan Firey brings more than two decades of songwriting and performing experience to 911 Project Harmony, with a catalog of more than 170 acoustic songs. His music has been featured in national campaigns for brands including Target, Walmart, Hobby Lobby and Lifeway. He has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and Bluebird Cafe and has shared the stage with artists including Junior Brown and Grammy Award-winning guitarist Phil Keaggy.
Randy Spendlove is a multiple Grammy Award-winning music executive, record producer and songwriter who served for more than 20 years as President of Worldwide Music and Publishing at Paramount Pictures. During his tenure, he oversaw music for more than 450 films, including Chicago, Dreamgirls, Top Gun: Maverick, Rocketman and Bob Marley: One Love. He has also worked with artists including Beyoncé, U2, Sting, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.
“So Much Heart in 911 Project Harmony”
on the RE-VAMPED with Juliet Landau podcast
In this episode of RE-VAMPED with Juliet Landau, Mike McGrew and Randy Spendlove discuss 911 Project Harmony, the story behind “Heart of This Town,” and how music can amplify the experiences of first responders. They also share more about the song’s connection to the Eaton Fire and its Grammy® consideration.
911 Project Harmony
911 Project Harmony offers first responders a meaningful way to express and process the effects of layered trauma while helping others understand the human experiences behind the uniform. Through music and creative collaboration, their stories can be not only heard, but felt.
“I was personally inspired by Chien’s story,” said Firey. “Our first responders are brave, hard-working people who need our support. Their stories deserve to be told, and writing songs about their lives and experiences is a great way to do that.”
Proceeds from the song will support 911AEI’s work to keep first responders strong so they can be at their best to serve their communities.
911 At Ease International
911 At Ease International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to keeping first responders strong so they can be at their best to serve their communities. 911AEI provides first responders and their immediate families with free, professional and confidential mental health support, including trauma-informed counseling, 911 Project Harmony and critical incident response.
911 At Ease International (911AEI) has released “Heart of This Town,” the debut single from 911 Project Harmony, an initiative pairing first responders with professional songwriters to transform their lived experiences into original music.
911 Project Harmony is more than a program. It is a movement to restore strength, resilience and connection to those on the front lines.
