The U.S. Army Band Country Roads performs “Travelin' Soldier” (4K)

Enjoy toe-tapping country music, rock, and bluegrass songs performed by The U.S. Army Band Country Roads.

Master Sgt. Dean Woods, lead vocal/guitar
Master Sgt. Marlisa Woods, fiddle/back-up vocals
Master Sgt. Jon Voth, pedal steel
Sgt. 1st Class Tracy LeBrecque, female lead vocalist
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Kramer, banjo/dobro
Sgt. 1st Class Eric Seay, bass
Master Sgt. Larry Ferguson, drums
Staff Sgt. Jan Knutson, mandolin

0:33 "Travelin' Soldier"
by Bruce Robison
Made famous by the Dixie Chicks in 2002, “Travelin’ Soldier” is a tale about a shy American soldier who strikes up a conversation and later a correspondence with a high school girl during the Vietnam War. Despite the distance, the two form a relationship with their letters that eventually leads to heartbreak.

As we social distance, our relationships change and letter writing can be a great way to keep in touch.

6:25 "Rocket Man"
by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
“Rocket man” by Elton John, was inspired by the short story of the same name from the book “The Illustrated Man” by Ray Bradbury. The song describes a Mars-bound astronaut’s mixed feelings at leaving his family in order to do his job.

In these times, we see Soldiers and other essential workers staying at a distance from their families to keep everyone safe.

10:40 "More than a Name on a Wall"
by Jimmy Fortune
Written by Jimmy Fortune and John Rimel and recorded by The Statler Brothers, “More Than a Name on a Wall” was released in April 1989. The song, about a mother visiting the Vietnam Wall to see her son’s name, came to Jimmy Fortune after he visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. With so many names on the wall, he looked for the stories behind them; they were mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons... and so much more than just names.

There are many beautiful memorials in Washington D.C. The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” often performs at many of them! What is your favorite national memorial?

15:09 "Country Roads"
by John Denver, Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert
#DYK One of John Denver’s most popular and beloved songs was actually written before John Devner and co-writers had ever even visited West Virginia? Inspiration came to song writers Danoff and Novert while they were driving through windy roads of Gaithersburg, Maryland. They considered singing about Massachusetts, but decided West Virginia had a better ring to it and the song “Country Roads” soon became a hit.

18:09 "Thank God I’m a Country Boy"
by John Martin Sommers
Songwriter John Martin Sommers wrote “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” in 1973. Sommers recalls at the time, he was feeling peaceful, happy, and content with his lot in life. As he began scribbling notes about his blissful state, he found his inspiration for the song, which was made famous by John Denver in 1975.

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