Six-String Soldiers Sing on Winslow’s Corner

POST UPDATE November 14, 2019:

Remember these guys? The video they shot on Winslow’s famous corner last May is now live! Check it out.

Keep scrolling to read the original post on the Six-String Soldiers’ visit to Winslow.

May 11, 2019

You know the song, Take it Easy–the classic American tune that helped put Winslow Arizona back on the map. The song is also part of the Six-String Soldiers repertoire–a nationally acclaimed ensemble from the Army Field Band. Armed with guitars, a mandolin, bass guitar, and fiddle, the group travels the United States playing Bluegrass and Country favorites to their fellow Americans in an attempt to bring the average citizen closer to their military.

A Visit to Winslow Arizona

After playing a concert in St. George Utah, the ensemble loaded up and hit the road for Winslow Arizona to shoot a music video standing on the corner made famous by the Eagles. Around eight a.m. on May 9th, the group set up diagonal from the Standin’ on the Corner Park and belted out those lyrics we know so well…

Singer and guitarist Sergeant First Class John Brandon Boron–who has been with the group since 2013–said he has sung the words to Take it Easy a hundred times, but it was surreal to sing them while actually Standin’ on a Corner in Winslow Arizona.

The cameraman wanted a variety of angles, so the group did several takes, and the longer they sang, the more the crowd of spectators grew. Using music as a vehicle to meet people, Sgt. Boron said, is a privilege and an honor. He’s found that everyone can relate to music, even if they can’t relate to the uniform.

The Primary Objective

Relating is exactly the point of this group: to make a connection between the American people and their military through music—a goal they seem to be achieving. The Six-String Soldiers are the most followed military group in the world and have over 75-million views to date on their video “Country Roads.”

More than Music

The members were chosen not only for their musical talent–which is vast, including a couple of Berklee Music School grads–but also for their personalities. The members need to be outgoing and comfortable talking to the public. They are not only musicians but ambassadors. Judging by the way they engaged with the Winslow tourists and locals alike, the U.S. Army chose these members well.

True Soldiers

The Washington D.C. based group travels about 100 days a year. They are active duty and have all been deployed.

From the Army Field Band Website:

Before coming together in our nation’s capital, these active duty Soldiers served overseas in Iraq, Korea, Germany, and Belgium. They’ve performed in concert with legends John Fogerty, Darryl Worley, and Harry Connick Jr., and have received national attention on CONAN, Morning Express with Robin Meade, and Home & Family.

We thank them for their service, and for putting smiles on the faces of those lucky enough to watch them play on a famous little corner in Winslow Arizona.

Jamming with Tommy Dukes

We got a little bonus performance after the Six-String Soldiers finished shooting their music video. Local Bluesman Tommy Dukes had set up to play for the day, and the soldiers joined him for a little impromptu jam session–again, all part of making those human connections.

A possible return!

During their time here, theater owner Tommy Martinez gave the soldiers a tour of the historic Winslow Theater. The group enjoyed the tour so much they mentioned the idea of coming back. In an email from the Captain who manages the group, he said:

We would love to come back and perform at the Winslow Theater.  

Captain Joel A. DuBois

Well… Winslow Arizona would love that too.

For now, I’ll leave you with a little more of the video I shot to hold you over until the real music video comes out on their You Tube Channel.

Keeping up with the Six-String Soldiers.

• Watch them in action on their You Tube Page!
• Keep up with their travels on their Facebook Page
• Look out for their new album! “Six-String Soldiers’ new album was recorded in Muscle Shoals and Nashville in 2018 and is expected to be released in 2019. The album is a reflection of their sense of duty and country, with a focus on service from military members and their families, police officers, firefighters and all those who wear a uniform.”

Many thanks to Linda Card for tipping me off that they were in town. If you hear about something fun heading to the corner, drop me a line!

Until next time…

Take it Easy

Oh, and in case you didn’t see it, here’s a little post they did to Facebook while they were in Winslow. Enjoy…

UPCOMING CORNER STORIES:

• A couple driving their 1948 Plymouth from Chicago to Santa Monica stop at the corner
• A chat with two men driving a newly purchased 1965 Dodge car-hauler carrying a 1965 Barracuda from California to Missouri. What a rig!

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