Lt. Col. Mike Corrado, U.S. Marine Corps, (ret.) a singer-songwriter who earned the Bronze Star while serving in Iraq, will perform during the Vetpalooza Military Tribute Concert at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on Friday, Sept. 14.
The show is part of Lt. Dan Weekend 3, which raises public awareness about the needs of severely wounded American veterans from recent wars. It also raises money to pay for equipment and services the Veterans Association and federal government do not fund for these veterans.
Corrado has opened for Bon Jovi, John Mayer, Train, and the Black Eyed Peas. He has been featured nationally on CNN, ABC, CBS, Rolling Stone Magazine, American Forces Radio & Television and on multiple cable Music-On-Demand channels. His release “On My Watch Tonight” features guest vocals by Edwin McCain. It is the story of a Marine’s journey from Parris Island boot camp to the front lines and became an unofficial anthem for many service men and women around the world. Corrado will perform with the popular Wilmington, N.C., band, Machine Gun.
Drummer Dale Beatty, who lost both legs in 2004 while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq, will also perform during the Vetpalooza. He will appear with his North Carolina band “Outlaw 21” named after Beatty’s former Army unit. The band’s lead guitarist and vocalist, Eric Hartness, is also a veteran. The group is known for blending the musical genres of bluegrass, outlaw country, Southern rock and blues into its own original style, which is reminiscent of the time-enduring sounds of traditional American musicians and songwriters.
Country star Rockie Lynne will headline the Vetpalooza concert. Lynne is a former U.S. Army paratrooper whose song, Lipstick, reached number 29 on the Billboard charts. Three other Lynne songs have also made the charts, including Do We Still, More, and I Can’t Believe it’s Me.
One-third of the proceeds of Lynne’s latest album, Songs For Soldiers, will benefit troop-related charities. The inspiration for the album was Lynne’s 21-day tour of Afghanistan, Southwest Asia and The Persian Gulf, where he and his band entertained U.S. troops.
Lynne is also co-founder of an annual charity motorcycle ride called Tribute to the Troops, where riders visit the homes of the families of fallen soldiers to recognize them for their sacrifice. The organization has raised more than $200,000 in aid to families of the fallen.
The “Vetpalooza” is a family friendly concert. Admission is $10 and free for active duty military and their dependents.
The finale of LDW3 will be the Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band concert on Saturday, Sept. 15, at Beaufort’s Waterfront Park with opening performances by the band Bounty Hunter, which has a large local following. Tickets are $25 at the door or $20 in advance at www.ldw3.com.
Sinise played the role of injured war veteran Lt. Dan in the film “Forrest Gump,” which was shot in Beaufort. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1994 for that performance and was also nominated for an Oscar in 1992 for “Of Mice and Men.” His Gary Sinise Foundation supports the needs of veterans, first responders and their families.
County star Barry Michael will open for the Lt. Dan Band Saturday night. After hearing Michael’s debut album, Ripped Blue Jeans and ATVs, a Houston-area group of WWII veterans approached him about helping them with an honor flight fundraiser. Michael wrote a song for them: “Heroes and Angels,” which gained national recognition. Today, Michael not only performs frequently at military bases, he has forged a partnership with the organization Health Net, Inc., which supports service members, veterans and their families through behavioral health services.
Today Michael is climbing the charts with his back roads anthem “Uncountrify Me,” which he considers an ode to all things country.
Fox News National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the Lt. Dan Band concert. Griffin is a 1992 graduate of Harvard University and has worked as a journalist for the Associated Press, National Public Radio and U.S. News and World Report. She is also a survivor of stage 3 breast cancer.
Organizers say people should show up hungry as there will be a variety of food for sale as well as wine and beer. The concessions will also help raise money for the cause.
Doors open at 7 p.m. for both the Vetpalooza and the Lt. Dan Band concerts. For tickets or more information, visit www.ldw3.com.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR LT DAN WEEKEND:
• Wednesday, Sept. 12: Silent Auction and Banquet at Holiday Inn, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 13: Fly Casting Clinic at Palm Key Nature Resort, 12 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 14: 3rd Annual Lt Dan Golf Classic (Scramble) at Cat Island, 9:30 a.m.
• Friday, Sept. 14: Vetpalooza Military Tribute Concert, at Waterfront Park, Beaufort, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 15: Independence Ride and 5K Run at MCAS, 8 a.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 15: Lt. Dan Band in Waterfront Park; Starting at 7 p.m. with opening performances by Bounty Hunter, a Beaufort band with a local following, and Nashville recording artist Berry Michael. Gary Sinise and his Lt Dan Band will begin at 8:30. Tickets are $25 at the door or $20 in advance at www.ldw3.com.
