I gotta letter yesterday from my brother from another. Combat creates a bond like no other and however ever awesome it may be its one we can do without the combat portion at least. Anyway he let me know that the war is far from over. We got some service men and women downrange in that sandbox yall call Afghanistan. Bunkerd down in the fight of their lives right now. In the last 4 days “Dark Horse” 3rd Battalion 5th Marine Regiment Lost 9 Marines. please pray for all the services men and women in harms way.
sidebar the pic of the 4 brothers posing L2R is Daniels, Wise, Mitchell & Myself R.I.P Jalani Daniels.
The other various pics are from the 3rd Battalion 5th Marine Regiment… Semper Fi
[portfolio_slideshow columns="5"]Last week Blackberry Smoke front man Charlie Starr reflected on his experience as the band caught up with some Soldiers and gave back if they supporting the troops we’re supporting them. Blackberry Smoke we Salute You…
Blackberry Smoke frontman Charlie Starr reveals all the wobbly, hell raisin’, belly floppin’ fun on board the Sailing Southern Ground Cruise with Zac Brown Band. After hobbling around on their sea legs for four days, the rockers reach dry land for a touching salute to the troops with Kid Rock.
If you are one of those people who think you’d be too cool to ever go on a cruise, I betcha you’d have a helluva time on one of the music cruises put together by Sixthman.
We are officially alumni after having gone on the Simple Man Cruise four times and the Rock Boat twice!
Friends, I really think someone should film all the goings-on aboard these things because it is fascinating, in a good way. Dry land rules cease to apply as soon as we hit the high seas, it seems.
What unfolds is a great big sun-kissed, happy, drunk, wobbly, hell raisin’, belly floppin’ four-day party full of high drama but with great music (and no fights).
The most ornery son-of-a-bitch in the world is your best buddy when you’re on a boat. This time it was the Sailing Southern Ground Cruise, hosted by our friends, the Zac Brown Band.
We had a freakin’ blast! Wow.
Of the four days out, we played three shows on two different stages there on the ship, which is like a floating convention center—with a water slide and half-naked people.
During our first show, Zac jumped up, unannounced, and sang with us. Thank you, Zac!
Then in the third show, our buddy Clay Cook got up and played guitar and sang. Thank you, Clay!
All in all, we came off the boat reeling from sunburn, seafood and probably a couple of hangovers. All the bands that played were fantastic, especially the Wood Bros., Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, and, of course, the ZBB.
After hobbling around on our sea legs for a couple of days, we headed to Fort Jackson, S.C. to play a show with Kid Rock for the troops. We arrived on the base early in the morning and were greeted by a cup of coffee and drill sergeants Ferguson and Crump.
Ladies and gentlemen, what followed was a day of repelling, shooting and hand to hand combat with the US Army. Blackberry Smoke is born again hard.
The show that night was one of the most amazing events I’ve ever been lucky enough to be a part of. Looking out from the stage, I saw about 15,000 soldiers to my left and 15,000 civilians to my right.
Friends, it was fucking POWERFUL! Anybody who wouldn’t be moved by such a thing can kiss our collective ass!
After the show, General Milano and Colonel Swedo presented us with a plaque to commemorate the event.
I gotta tell you, I didn’t see a dry eye among us. I don’t think I’ve ever felt like such an American.
Thank you US military. Give em hell!
