Six-String Soldiers Explained

Unit Name:Six-String Soldiers
Dates:2014–present
Country:United States
Type:Military band
Role:Morale, Welfare and Recreation
Command Structure:United States Army Field Band
Garrison:Fort George G. Meade
Colours:-->
Colours Label:-->
Equipment:Guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, acoustic bass guitar
Equipment Label:Instrumentation
Website:official page
Commander1:CWO Daniel Wood[1]
Commander1 Label:Officer in Charge
Commander2:MSG Peter Krasulski
Commander2 Label:Element Leader

The Six-String Soldiers is a component unit of the United States Army Field Band responsible for performing contemporary American folk music genres, principally including bluegrass and country, as well as acoustic covers of popular songs. Posted to Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, it consists of five performing personnel plus support staff.

History

Activated in May 2014, the ensemble first achieved widespread attention during Boston's February 2015 snowstorm when weather forced it to cancel a planned appearance in that city.[2] [3] [4] The quartet, instead, filmed a video outside their hotel performing George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" which quickly accumulated nearly nine million views on Facebook.[2] [4]

Six-String Soldiers has performed with Darryl Worley, Harry Connick Jr., The Irish Rovers, the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band, and has opened for Creedence Clearwater Revival's John Fogerty.[2] [5] [6] On November 10, 2017, it performed on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange prior to the closing bell and its broadcast appearances have included HLN's Morning Express with Robin Meade, KTLA-TV and WPIX-TV, among others.[4] [7] In 2016, Sports Illustrateds Andy Gray called Six-String Soldiers his "new favorite band" for its acoustic cover of "Strawberry Fields Forever".[8]

In 2016 Six-String Soldiers released its first album, which was composed of seven original songs and four covers. The album, I've Been There, was produced by Bill Kirchen and engineered by Todd Whitelock.[9] It plans a second album release in 2019.[1]

Organization

Posted to Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, the group tours within the United States and internationally to support recruitment efforts by the United States Army and to entertain both deployed Army personnel and patients at United States Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.[10] [11] It has alternated between four and five members.[1] [12] As of 2018, instrumentation includes guitar, mandolin, banjo, acoustic bass guitar, and fiddle.[1]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Six-String Soldiers – personnel . . . June 29, 2018.
  2. News: Casey . Ashley . Lamirande's last hurrah: B'ville musician's Army career comes to a close . June 29, 2018 . Eagle News . January 11, 2017.
  3. News: Annear . Steve . Army band brings snow relief in the form of music . June 29, 2018 . . February 17, 2015.
  4. Web site: Kirby . Lynn . 4 soldiers, 6 strings, 1 purpose . army.mil . . June 29, 2018.
  5. Web site: UMass Drumline performs with Six String Soldiers . umassband.com . February 12, 2015 . . June 29, 2018.
  6. News: Katsilometes . John . Wayne Newton blitzes protesting NFL players . June 29, 2018 . . September 12, 2016.
  7. News: 'God Bless America,' performed by the Six-String Soldiers . June 29, 2018 . . November 10, 2017.
  8. Gray . Andy . Monday's P.M. Hot Clicks: Elena Kosmina; College Superfans of the Week . June 29, 2018 . . September 12, 2016.
  9. Web site: Six-String Soldiers: Making the Album – "I've Been There" . . . June 29, 2018.
  10. News: Six-String Soldiers serenade Robin Meade in studio . June 29, 2018 . . May 20, 2016.
  11. News: The Six String Soldiers play Atlanta VA Medical Center . June 29, 2018 . . June 30, 2016.
  12. News: Cruz . Nancy . Six String Soldiers United States Army Field Band . June 29, 2018 . . November 12, 2015.