I have always prized songs that cut through sentimentality and get to the marrow of what makes us human. Ken Holt’s “Proud,” released on Veterans Day, fits squarely into that lineage—not because it’s flashy or inventive in some radical musical sense, but because it speaks plainly, truthfully, and with the kind of emotional candor rock ’n’ roll has always been built on.
“Proud” is, at its core, a working-class love song. Not the romantic kind, but the harder, messier version: a father trying to tell his son the things most men in this country were never taught to say out loud. Holt doesn’t hide behind metaphor or bombast. His lyrics walk straight into the tender territory where vulnerability meets responsibility. The opening lines—“I wonder how it was for you, the battles that you fought”—feel like a handshake turning into a long overdue hug. They acknowledge the real labor of becoming yourself, especially under the shadow of expectation.
Musically, Holt leans into his Americana roots, blending country-folk warmth with the rugged edges of classic rock. There’s a lived-in quality to the arrangement—steady strumming, understated rhythm, melodies shaped by years of stages, sanctuaries, and back rooms. But don’t mistake simplicity for weakness. The track works because Holt knows how to let a song breathe. He trusts the listener to sit with his words, to feel the gravity without guiding them by the hand.
What I appreciate most is Holt’s honesty. This isn’t a father claiming perfection. It’s a father admitting mistakes, owning them, and offering love anyway. That’s where the song finds its power. When Holt sings “Proud to be your dad… the best son I could have,” it lands with the weight of truth earned, not declared. The nod to the Marine sergeant and the salute from heaven ties the personal to the generational—acknowledging service, lineage, and the complicated ways men learn courage from the ones who came before.
“Proud” isn’t slick, ironic, or coy. It’s a man looking at his son and saying: I see you. I’ve grown. I’m here. In an era where music often hides behind gloss and attitude, Holt delivers something far more radical: humility. And in doing so, he’s made a small, sturdy anthem for anyone trying—imperfectly but sincerely—to love someone better than they were taught.
–David Marshall
