Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree of it in which James Earl Jones played the role of the returning ex-con. According to L. Russell Brown, he read Hamill's story in the "Reader's Digest", and suggested to his songwriting partner Irwin Levine that they write a song based on it. Levine and Brown then registered for copyright the song which they called "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree". At the time, the writers said they heard the story while serving in the military. Pete Hamill was not convinced and filed suit for infringement. Hamill dropped his suit after folklorists working for Levine and Brown
Ribbon in the Sky Ribbon in the Sky "Ribbon in the Sky" is a hit 1982 R&B single released by Tamla/Motown star and American singer Stevie Wonder. The ballad was first featured on the greatest hits album, "Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I", and charted at #54 pop and #10 R&B when it was released. In February 1983, Wonder was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 25th Grammy Awards. Wonder performed a version of the song at Whitney Houston's funeral on February 18, 2012. It has been covered by Dennis Brown, Intro, Boyz II Men, 2 Men 4