Podcasts about operation troop aid

Bill Cody with Mark Woods, founder & CEO of "Operation Troop Aid" and Martin Herr with Kia of Murfreesboro to preview this year's 2016 Operation Troop Aid "Big Christmas Pay Back". To find out more about this great organization check out:  www.operationtroopaid.org.

Ryan is a high energy, all-American, rockin' country music artist who proudly served as an active duty soldier, Chief Warrant Officer 3, in the United States Army. To understand Ryan Weaver and his passion for music, you need to hear his unique story: Ryan Weaver's life is an example of how an individual's dedication, discipline, focus and perseverance can help them to achieve greatness in the face of adversity.Ryan was adopted at 10 months of age, along with his older brother Aaron, by the Weaver family. Ryan grew up living all over the state of Florida, one of eight siblings, and the youngest of three Weaver boys. Older brothers Steve and Aaron joined the military and attended flight school. When his time came, Ryan followed in their shoes. Three Weaver boys. Three Army Warrant Officers. Three helicopter pilots.Ryan's brother Aaron died in 2004 when the Medivac Black Hawk helicopter he was a passenger in was shot down by enemy fire in Iraq. At that time Ryan was also deployed in Iraq as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. Ryan certainly understood mortality and the risks of combat, after all, Aaron had survived the bloody 1993 battle in Mogadishu, Somalia that became the basis for the movie, Black Hawk Down. When Aaron died, however, something changed for Ryan Weaver. He returned from combat and took a position training the next generation of Army aviators and officers at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and has not piloted a Black Hawk since that fateful day. Ten years after the last day Ryan saw Aaron alive in Iraq on January 4th, Ryan's brother-in-law Randy Billings was laid to rest one row back from Aaron. He was KIA in Afghanistan on December 17th 2013 when the Blackhawk helicopter he was piloting was shot down by an enemy ground detonated explosive device.Currently working with Charlie Daniels longtime manager David Corlew, Ryan has been steadily making his way on to the Nashville music scene with recent performances at the The Ryman Auditorium with Charlie Daniels, CMA Fest on the Samsung Galaxy Stage, the annual Tootsie's Birthday Bash, Operation Troop Aid's Rock the Block Concert on Broadway, as well as multiple local venue performances. Most notably, he performed at the Charlie Daniels 40th Anniversary Volunteer Jam at Bridgestone Arena and made his Grand Ole Opry debut on September 11th this year.Just out of the Army, Ryan spends his time writing and recording music, as well as performing all over the nation. With a long list of headlining national acts with which he has shared the stage as an opener, most notably George Jones, Charlie Daniels, Blake Shelton, Craig Morgan, Phil Vassar, Trace Adkins and Montgomery Gentry, Ryan's concerts are the truest indicator of his talent. Ryan has a unique ability to connect with the crowd in high-energy performances combined with close to heart musicality and charm with a story to tell that makes him as real as it gets. He attributes his discipline, passion and undaunted motivation to soar to higher heights to his military career and two brothers who sacrificed their lives so he may chase his dreams.Ryan's first single, “Crank It,” was the first song Ryan co-wrote in Nashville along with Kevin Ray (Hot Apple Pie) and Brian Eckert. The music video for “Crank It” spent eight weeks in the Rising Star slot on TNN/The Heartland Network, a network record for an independent artist. The video is also playing on ZUUS Country where Ryan hosted an hour-long episode as a VJ for “On The Rise.”Ryan's recently released second single, “New Set of Tires,” was co-written by Hall of Fame songwriters Jeffrey Steele and Bob Dipiero and is now available at all major digital distribution outlets. Ryan is currently writing and recording songs for his new EP scheduled for release in the spring of 2016.

Operation Troop Aid (OTA) is to provide care packages for our deployed U.S. Service members with the revenue generated through professional concert promotions and public financial generosity.

Doug Briney embodies all things country: His personality is warm and inviting, some would say down-to-earth, recalling the disposition of many a Southern Gentleman from yesteryear. With a 2013 Independent Country Music Association Award, eight months on the Roots Music Report charts, international airplay and live performances at CMA Fest, Rodeo Alaska, The Iditarod, The Grinder's Switch Hour, Alaska State Fair, and Dan McGuiness' on Music Row, among countless others, this God-fearing road warrior, with the warm baritone voice and love for all things southern, has released his aptly titled Super Country Cowboy. On this album, Doug has created a tasteful blend of yesterday's traditional country roots and today's radio-friendly contemporary sounds, to invoke all the best that is American: Love of God, Family and the US of A.With the release of his debut album, It's All Country, in early 2012, (and its re-release on CBM Records in 2013) Doug Briney showcased his signature sound, which he cultivated from years of touring camps, churches and conferences across the US. “We even played in an airport once, to impress a pretty girl for one of the band members,” he says with a laugh. Blending traditional influences from country music's past, like the Gatlin Brothers and Kenny Rogers, with modern contemporaries like Toby Keith and Trace Adkins, Doug created an original, honest and authentic sound all his own. The collection of well-known country hits and new covers peaked at #6 on the Roots Music Report True Country chart, where it remained for 8 straight months. The album also charted at #11 on the itunes Country New Release chart, with 3 singles receiving international airplay and chart action, leading to more than 300,000 Youtube views between them.In February 2013, Doug signed with Tate Music Group, home to country legends like Lee Greenwood and Neal McCoy. In November 2013, Tate released Super Country Cowboy, a brilliant and heartfelt collection of compositions from some of today's best country songwriters. From the Charlie Daniels-meets-Big & Rich-influenced title cut (Top 10 RMR,) to the inspiring, “I Get To” and the patriotic anthem, “Unknown Soldier,” Doug delivers nine emotion-filled, hook-laden tracks that are purely Doug Briney: heart-felt, passionate and proud. The album reached #58 on the itunes Inspirational chart and #8 on the Roots Music Report True Country chart, earning Doug a Nashville Universe Award nomination for Best Male Artist, a 2014 ICoMA Award nomination, and a 2014 Artists In Music Awards nomination.A 2013 move to Nashville, Tennessee has brought Doug to the epicenter of the country music industry. Grateful for being able to live his dream of performing and recording music, he has gladly given back to his community in a big way. Surrounded by a history of veterans and military service in his family, (his son currently serves in the Air Force) Doug has begun working with Bright Star International, who will help facilitate Doug's work with veterans' charities, and Heart Songs For Veterans. He is also donating 100% of his proceeds from the sale of the single, “Unknown Soldier” to Operation Troop Aid.An ordained pastor, Doug also served at the Cowboy Church of Anchorage, Alaska, prior to his family's relocation to Music City, USA. He is currently serving as a pastor with North Pointe Community Church in Old Hickory, TN. In fact, it's his unwavering faith and love of country music that has led Doug on his journey.“I have come to know and love the Cowboy Lifestyle through country music…And, it is who I am now, who I have been, and who I will always be.” --Doug Briney

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of The Band Perry.  Their smash hit "Better Dig Two" has now been certified platinum and has held the number one spot for several weeks.  Also in the news is Darius Rucker as his tour kicks off May ninth - look for Rodney Atkins, Justin Moore, and Jana Kramer to join him.  Craig Morgan is mentioned too as he is heading to Sweden to compete in a thrilling 200-mile dog sled excursion above th Arctic Circle.  The adventure will be captured on camera for his "All Access Outdoors" show which airs on the Outdoor Channel.  Up next is The Patriot Power Shot as it is the world's first "bugle in a bottle."  Proceeds will benefit Operation Troop Aid.  We also mention the 2013 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival as this years lineup is huge and will be capped off with Paul McCartney.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with Dale Dodson to here about a track called "She'll Be Back" which is out on Jamey Johnson's "Living For A Song: A Tribute To Hank Cochran."

Join us this week as  welcome county music singer songwriter, Mark Wills. Mark is a multi-platinum selling country music star with eight top 10 hits to his name including "19 Something", "Wish You Were Here", and "Don't Laugh At Me" all of which received nominations for Single, Song and Video of the Year by the Country Music Association. Wills won the Academy of Country Music 's award for Top New Male Vocalist in 1998. In 2002, his single "19 Something" spent six consecutive weeks at No. 1, was Billboard's top country hit of the year and was the second most-played song of the decade in 2009. Mark is a long time supporter of our troops and we will talk to him about the “Crazy Being Home” national awareness campaign surrounding the severity of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in which he has teamed up with USA Cares. Mark also recently received the Patriot award presented by Operation Troop Aid. We will also talk to Mark about his upcoming schedule, get a behind the scenes look into his music, feature his latest songs, and also ask him to share his efforts to support the troops. Please be sure to visit Mark Wills at http://www.markwills.com/ and spread the word. Fans are welcome to call in and chat live with Mark during the show. If you would like to participate in the live chat during the show, you must sign up on the show site first and then log in during the show. More great music for a really great cause! And as always we will give shout outs to our deployed military listeners. This is sure to be a terrific show so be sure to join us, September 25th 2011 at 4:00 PM EST! Our message to the troops....WE do what we do, because YOU do what you do.

Mark Wills has teamed up with Operation Troop Aid and Diamond Gusset jeans for his most recent music video shoot.  The song 'Looking For America' is an open letter to citizens aching to realize their American dream...a dream many feel has been lost in recent years.  Throughout the video shoot, volunteers from Operation Troop Aid were on hand to help the cast and crew put together 'care packages' for American Forces deployed overseas.