East Baghdad base camp learns about 'Livin' Like a Lonestar'

Photo By Lt. Col. Sean Ryan | Granger Smith meets Spc. Justine-Tea Phelan, a medic from Plymouth, Mass., and Soldier with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Smith and his band from College Station, Texas, performed for the Soldiers of the 2nd BCT at Forward Operating Base Loyalty in eastern Baghdad, Sept. 27. The band was in Iraq for two weeks and played nine shows for the Soldiers throughout Iraq. Granger Smith recently dropped their third CD in which the songs were written, produced and engineered by Smith himself.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.01.2007

Story by Maj. Sean Ryan 

2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

By Maj. Sean Ryan
2nd BCT, 2nd Inf. Div. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq —The Soldiers at this eastern Baghdad base camp definitely believe Granger Smith saved the best for last. Performing the ninth and final concert on their 2007 Iraq tour, the band had Soldiers stomping their feet to a country mix with a little blues and rock thrown in.

Smith, the youthful 28-year old lead singer, has spent half his life in the music world and has recorded three albums to date, including his latest, "Livin' Like A Lonestar," for which he wrote, produced and engineered all the songs.

"I had total creative control which does not happen a lot and will probably not happen again in my future," said Smith.

The inspiration for playing music came early for the Texas A&M graduate and the "Aggie" looked up to George Strait and rock band legends such as the Eagles for inspiration. Smith often stood in long lines for Strait concerts.

"I was trying to get to wherever he was and would stand over eight hours in line to see his concerts."

Now, with his own band and CDs out, he's trying to land a big contract. Smith and his band wanted to come to Iraq and give something back.

"We always wanted to come to Iraq as I personally had buddies over here, but we wanted to wait for the right time," he said. "The goal was to play for the Soldiers at the more remote FOBs where they receive little entertainment. Overall, it has been awesome."

The troops enjoyed it, too.

"I thought they were really good and now I'm looking to get their CD. I hadn't really heard of them before but thought there sound was within today's music - not too country, more like rock-country," said Spc. Justine-Tea Phelan, a medic from Plymouth, Mass., and a member of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "I really appreciate them taking their time out to come here and play for us and it was nice to get away from work for an hour and forget about everything else."

"The band is soaking up this trip to Iraq and it has given us a different perspective," Smith said. "The shows here are so rewarding and it will be hard to gear up for when we go back and play."

• Date Taken: 10.01.2007
• Date Posted: 10.01.2007 09:15
• Story ID: 12628
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ