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Area native heads to AFE tour
Brynn Marie (her stage name) left early Wednesday for her second Armed Forces Entertainment tour. In her first tour, she and her band were in the Middle East, and this tour will take them to Puerto Rico.
"I didn't even know we had troops there. We have them everywhere, we just don't know it," Brynn Marie said. "We just got our papers last night telling us we were going."
Guitarist Ford Thurston said it is as simple as packing your bags, putting new strings on the guitars, getting new drumsticks and then waiting for that call to go.
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"You really appreciate it when you are away from it. When you are there and working, it isn't the same. Six months later, it kicks in and you remember what it smells and sounds like in Kuwait," Thurston said. "When you look at the faces of soldiers over there, the look on their faces is different. It isn't the same look you see on the faces of soldiers here."
Coming back to her alma mater of Carmichaels to play for the students is something she said is really in line with her philosophy of what she wants to do with her music. It also fits right into making trips with AFE.
"I've been writing a lot of inspirational songs, wanting to reach out to people and touch them in a way that makes a difference," she said. "I want the kids here to know that even though they are from a small town, that they can do big things and anything can happen for them."
Brynn Marie has opened for some of country music's biggest legends, including Loretta Lynn, but she said that even though those moments are amazing to her, it is the work she is doing now that is closest to her heart.
"I really want to reach out to kids and those who are in need. The troops need to be lifted up, and that is why we are doing this, even if it is only for five days this time," she said. "The letters the kids wrote to them are just going to blow them away. It is so much more rewarding to be doing something like this."
The letters Brynn Marie will be carrying to the troops in Puerto Rico were written by Carmichaels Elementary School students.
One fifth-grader, whose father was in the Marine Corps said, "I am kind of sad that you guys don't get to see or talk to your families, but you do it for our country. I am thankful that you guys do that for us."
Another wrote, "Thank you for risking your lives for us. I think every one of you deserve a prize. Every time I think of you, I think of happiness and goodness and that is exactly what I wish for you - happiness and goodness all of your lives."
Brynn Marie asked for a show of hands in one classroom of how many students knew of or had a family member in the military.
"I couldn't believe the hands that went up. They were so proud to speak of it," she said. "I am so proud of the school and so amazed at how they pulled this all together for the troops."
Not one to disappoint her fans, Brynn Marie sang a few songs with the youngsters, posed for photos and signed autographs. She said that she was as excited as they were.
"To see those kids faces and know that they are going to go home all excited and talking about today means the world to me," she said.
Her mother, Anita Cirota, agreed that it is the outreach that Brynn Marie is doing through her music that is most special to her. She shared the banner signed by troops in the Middle East and said her daughter had been given the name tags of some of the soldiers who had lost their lives there.
"I don't know what Brynn Marie would do if she couldn't sing," her mother said. "She lives music. If she's not singing then she is doing something, else with music. It was so touching reading what the soldiers wrote for her. I still get choked up over it."
Brynn agreed music is food for her soul and being able to use that to uplift others is what makes it all worthwhile to her.
"When it all comes right down to it, the one common denominator that we all have is music," Brynn said.
Goes to show you.... : 10/15/2009
that the music business is looking at one thing. Looks! Show me an unattractive singer in the business today. The music industry would rather have less talented Good Looking performers. It just makes me shake my head in wonderment. I have heard this girl sing and she is nothing to write home about.
wait!! : 10/15/2009
Since there is a major outbreak of swine flu at caec, aren't they worried about taking the disease overseas?????? Think people.
