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Country music’s ‘Blue Eyed Bad Boy’ finds ‘real truths’ from troops on the ground

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. Tony Spain
  • 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Country music artist Brian Stace has performed several concerts for members of the U.S. Armed Forces in Kosovo, Iraq and now Afghanistan. He wrapped up a three week tour with a performance here July 7. 

Stace entertained the crowd with music off his new "Blue Eyed Bad Boy" album and a single he just released to radio "Daddy's Coming Home," a song that has become popular amongst the military deployed. 

After the show numerous U.S. Soldiers, Airman, Sailors, and Marines, as well as civilians and NATO troops, lined up for a chance to meet Stace and his band. The performers stayed for hours to make sure everyone who wanted an autograph, to take a picture with them or just shake hands and talk got the opportunity to do so.
 
One fan waiting in line was Air Force Staff Sgt., Joseph G. Packard, 451st Air Expeditionary Group, who sported a black cowboy hat with an Afghan flag for Stace to autograph.
 
"I love the music and would like to thank performers like Brian Stace for coming to play for us," Packard said. "It means a lot to me, and it shows they're giving to us and showing their support for us." 

Stace says they are thanked often, but they are not doing it for the praise. "We are honored to be able to get over here and be able to play," he said. 

Stace traveled to several locations during his tour in Afghanistan, and as the new "Blue Eyed Bad Boy" of Nashville brought country music to U.S. forces, Stace and his band learned about the military and the situation on the ground from those with first-hand knowledge. 

"A lot of us didn't know much about the military until we did our first tour and now we realize all the little things; where you eat, where you sleep, the temperatures you have to endure, the equipment you have to carry around, you always have a gun in your hand," Stace said. "All the simple things that we take for granted everyday. We don't realize all the things you guys are dealing with everyday and doing without everyday." 

Stace also made the point after seeing the situation for himself, there seems to be a disconnect between the situation on the ground and what Americans read and see in the news. 

"All we here about in the news in the States is things that maybe make everything look bad. We don't get to hear about all the good things that are happening," he said. "We have been able to fly around and see that schools are being built and all the good things that are happening." 

Stace, who has talked to a lot of Servicemembers in Iraq and now Afghanistan, says there is a common theme from the fighting men and women. 

"You get the real truths from the Soldiers about what happened out in combat. The thing I here from every Soldier is nobody here wants to kill any innocent woman or child or by-standing civilians, but it happens when they are harboring the Taliban and the people are shooting at them," said Stace.
 
"So it is a whole different story when you actually talk to the people who are carrying the guns as opposed to the people who are carrying the news cameras and microphones," he said.
 
Stace is taking this message to the American people while on tour in the states by talking about his experiences and what he has seen during his time spent with the troops. "We are letting them know about the sacrifices you all make, and the job you are doing over here," he said. 

Stace said he can't express enough what an honor it is to play for the troops and how humbled he is by the appreciation he receives from them. 

"I don't know we would ever get that at a regular show. Soldiers come up and look you in the eye and from the bottom of their hearts thank you for coming over here," he said. "We appreciate the thanks, but we are here to thank you." 

"I respect everybody just for picking up the pen and signing the acceptance to join the military whenever they did it," Stace said. "I think it takes a lot of guts...you're actually signing over somewhat of your freedom and putting it in the hands of the U.S. Government hoping that you're going to help other people in the world. So I respect that and appreciate it."