thedrifter
10-20-05, 04:57 AM
Marine finds inspiration in blue grass roots while serving in Iraq
2nd Force Service Support Group
Story by Lance Cpl. Wayne Edmiston
CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (Oct. 20, 2005) -- Venture to the deep southern parts of the United States and you will hear the sounds of the famed genre of blue grass music.
In western parts of Iraq, you can hear the bluegrass imported all the way from the United States by Lance Cpl. Bradford E. Laws, a nuclear, biological and chemical specialist with Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group (Forward).
This Marine’s six years of playing the banjo in the United States was not put on hold for his deployment here.
“I love playing the banjo,” Laws said. “It helps me to pass the time, and entertain myself and others.”
For Laws it also provides a taste of Hampton, Tenn. his home where his banjo playing roots extend.
His entire family brought him up around music and the banjo was something that he picked up from his father.
“Playing the banjo reminds me of what it’s like to be home,” said Laws. “I grew up around the banjo and my father always played, and my family has always been associated with music.”
Laws especially enjoys the banjo because it is very unique compared to other instruments.
“The banjo has a distinct sound and not a lot of people play it,” Laws said. “It is a lot harder than it looks.”
Every night Laws plays with a group of Marine musicians who gather to play music for entertainment.
“I play with multiple Marines here,” said Laws. “We play all our instruments to together and it’s very enjoyable.”
One thing that Laws does love to especially play is traditional southern blue grass.
“Blue grass is great music and especially popular where I am from,” Laws said. “I will play any kind of music, but bluegrass is my favorite.”
Lance Cpl. Jeremiah K. Barr, a financial budget technician with Headquarters Co., Headquarters and Service Bn., 2nd FSSG (Fwd.) and a guitarist with the group.
Barr, seeing Laws play, knows the extent of his talent as a banjo player.
“I’ve seen a lot of people play the banjo and guitar; he is quite good,” said Barr. “I love playing music with him.”
Laws’ flexibility as a musician is what makes him an asset to the music group’s unique songs.
“He will play along with heavy metal, classic rock and any type of music that he can play along with,” Barr said. “The funny thing is no one can play along with him, when he plays his music; he is just to fast.”
For Laws, playing the banjo is just a way he can help cope with the stresses of being deployed to a combat environment.
“I love to go off and just play music,” said Laws. “It just takes my mind of everything for the brief moments I am playing.”
Ellie
2nd Force Service Support Group
Story by Lance Cpl. Wayne Edmiston
CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (Oct. 20, 2005) -- Venture to the deep southern parts of the United States and you will hear the sounds of the famed genre of blue grass music.
In western parts of Iraq, you can hear the bluegrass imported all the way from the United States by Lance Cpl. Bradford E. Laws, a nuclear, biological and chemical specialist with Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group (Forward).
This Marine’s six years of playing the banjo in the United States was not put on hold for his deployment here.
“I love playing the banjo,” Laws said. “It helps me to pass the time, and entertain myself and others.”
For Laws it also provides a taste of Hampton, Tenn. his home where his banjo playing roots extend.
His entire family brought him up around music and the banjo was something that he picked up from his father.
“Playing the banjo reminds me of what it’s like to be home,” said Laws. “I grew up around the banjo and my father always played, and my family has always been associated with music.”
Laws especially enjoys the banjo because it is very unique compared to other instruments.
“The banjo has a distinct sound and not a lot of people play it,” Laws said. “It is a lot harder than it looks.”
Every night Laws plays with a group of Marine musicians who gather to play music for entertainment.
“I play with multiple Marines here,” said Laws. “We play all our instruments to together and it’s very enjoyable.”
One thing that Laws does love to especially play is traditional southern blue grass.
“Blue grass is great music and especially popular where I am from,” Laws said. “I will play any kind of music, but bluegrass is my favorite.”
Lance Cpl. Jeremiah K. Barr, a financial budget technician with Headquarters Co., Headquarters and Service Bn., 2nd FSSG (Fwd.) and a guitarist with the group.
Barr, seeing Laws play, knows the extent of his talent as a banjo player.
“I’ve seen a lot of people play the banjo and guitar; he is quite good,” said Barr. “I love playing music with him.”
Laws’ flexibility as a musician is what makes him an asset to the music group’s unique songs.
“He will play along with heavy metal, classic rock and any type of music that he can play along with,” Barr said. “The funny thing is no one can play along with him, when he plays his music; he is just to fast.”
For Laws, playing the banjo is just a way he can help cope with the stresses of being deployed to a combat environment.
“I love to go off and just play music,” said Laws. “It just takes my mind of everything for the brief moments I am playing.”
Ellie