On Veterans Day, and every day, we honor and remember those who served our nation.
Country music has always had a special connection with veterans as many artists have written songs throughout their careers, tipping their caps to those who have laid down their lives for our freedom or to celebrate patriotism. From Toby Keith’s “American Soldier” to George Jones’ “50,000 Names,” there is a laundry list of songs that celebrate our nation’s freedom, thanking those enlisted for that or mourning the loss of a loved one who was serving.
Many of these songs are inspired and sung by men and women who have served themselves. With many of country music’s icons having spent some time in the military branch, it makes sense why the genre strongly connects with writing songs about our freedoms and not taking them for granted.
Check out this list of country artists who served in honor of Veterans Day.
Jamey Johnson
Jamey Johnson served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1994 to 2002, reaching the rank of corporal. Johnson has noted that his time in the Corps has inspired his music, especially his song “21 Guns,” a heartfelt tribute to those who have lost their lives.
“I wrote it because I have gone to too many funerals of Marines I served with that were just too young. When they die young, you always remember them that way, which is unfair. Guys that heroic that die that young deserve the right to grow old and they didn’t get to.
But it is also being at those funerals and seeing their parents who seem much too young to have a child die in that way and wondering what must be going through their minds. This song is the answer to that question.”
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson served briefly in the United States Air Force but was discharged after nine months due to ongoing back problems. After being discharged, Nelson picked up a few odd jobs in Texas before focusing on music full-time.
Despite his short time in the Air Force, Nelson has always been a massive advocate for veterans, supporting campaigns for accessible health care and supporting groups like Operation Firing for Effect.
George Jones
After his marriage to his first wife, Dorothy, collapsed after a year, the young 19-year-old George Jones thought he enlisted in the Marines. Although the United States was at war with Korea at his service, Jones never served overseas.
From 1951 to 1953, Jones was stationed in California and performed in bars throughout his service. As soon as he was discharged in 1953, he immediately performed again, focusing on music full-time.
John Prine
John Prine enlisted in the Army after his number came up in the draft in 1966. He served as an Army mechanic in Germany for the next two years. While he was in Germany, Prine wrote to his father, asking him to mail him an acoustic guitar. Once the guitar arrived, Prine began performing each night in the barracks.
At the time, Prine never thought he would become a singer or songwriter and liked to perform for fun. Little did he know that in 1971, he would be noticed, kick off his music career, and become one of the greatest songwriters to have lived.
Kris Kristofferson
Given that Kris Kristofferson is one of the most interesting men to have ever lived, it should be no surprise that serving is on his impressive resume. Kristofferson’s father was an Air Force pilot and hoped his son would follow in his footsteps one day enlisting. After Kristofferson graduated college, he enlisted. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Kristofferson completed one of the “physically challenging courses: Ranger School,” and was a trained helicopter pilot.
In the 1960s, he was stationed with the 8th Infantry Division in West Germany, where he formed a band and performed for those in his barracks. After returning from overseas, Kristofferson was offered an Army job teaching English literature at the U.S. Military Academy, but he declined the offer. Kristofferson left the military in 1965 to pursue his musical career, which caused a massive riff with his family.
Country music singer and actor, Kris Kristofferson. After completing his Rhodes Scholarship with a degree in English Lit, he joined the army where he earned his Ranger Tab and Pilot Wings (both visible here). He left the service in 1965 as a Captain. pic.twitter.com/sWKQ95KR1a
— Laocoon of Troy (@LaocoonofTroy) July 28, 2022
Sturgill Simpson
After “barely” graduating from Woodford County High School in Versailles, Kentucky, Sturgill Simpson enlisted in the Navy. For the first three years of his service, Simpson worked in the Combat Information Center of a frigate. In addition to those three years, he then went overseas, serving in Japan for some time before moving on to his next chapter, pursuing music. Some believe that Simpson was kicked out of the Navy, but the singer has not confirmed nor denied that.
On Simpson’s 2016 record, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, he details some of his Navy experiences in a song called “Sea Stories,” you can hear some of the cities he possibly visited during his time in Japan. That song is where he also alludes to getting kicked out of the Navy.
These are just a few of the many names in country music who have served our nation, and we are grateful to each of them that they served our nation so we could remain free.
Thank a veteran today, and turn up some songs from this collection of great artists.