Josh Gracin returns from Persian Gulf tour
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 – Former Marine Josh Gracin returned from his tour of the Persian Gulf where he played concerts in support of U.S. troops overseas. Gracin spent time with the troops in Kuwait and Iraq where he performed five shows, signed autographs, visited with soldiers in the hospital and played basketball in 128 degree heat with Marines.
The overseas tour took Gracin to Camp Arifjan in Kuwait and several locations in Iraq, including Kirkuk, Camp Speicher, Q West and Ballad Airbase. At the show at Camp Arifjan in Iraq, Gracin performed for more than 2,000 troops, setting the record for the second highest attendance at the base.
"This was something I just had to do," said Gracin. "It was important for me to give back to our men and women in uniform and bring a little piece of home to our folks serving overseas. This is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life."
Gracin's self-titled debut CD is certified gold by the RIAA and has sold more than 680,000 copies. The first single from the project, "I Want To Live," was also his first hit - hitting number four. His second single, "Nothin' To Lose," was his first number one record. His third single "Stay With Me (Brass Bed)" was a top five hit.
Gracin's second album has been oft-delayed, ostensibly due to the lack of radio play on several released singles.
More news for Josh Gracin
CD reviews for Josh Gracin
We Weren't Crazy
You'd think with the surprise success of Josh Gracin's 2004 self-titled debut that his record label would immediately follow its 3 top 10 singles with another helping of "American Idol"-fueled pop-country hits. But no. It took four years for the release of Gracin's sophomore album. Originally titled "All for Y'all," Gracin's second record was due in mid-2006, but Lyric Street delayed its release after the debut single fell flat on radio, pissing off »»»
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Josh Gracin
It's no surprise that Josh Gracin didn't come out of the gates on his self-titled debut album with guns a blazin'. Leaning heavily on Garth Brooks-like phrasing and songs that don't venture much beyond livin', lovin' and havin' a good time, remember that country music is still Gracin's second full-time job.
For those who missed it, Gracin is the U.S. Marine who made it to the final four of Fox's 2003 installment of American Idol. He's committed to the Corps until September and must juggle duty to »»»
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Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: Size doesn't matter to Winslow-King –
Luke Winslow-King may have a fine new CD out ("The Coming Tide") on a long respected indie country/roots label (Bloodshot), but that didn't mean the throngs were going to fill the club. In fact, in a second night of shows in the Boston area, Winslow-King drew a handful of people. Well, make that literally two handfuls of people.
As in 10 people.... »»»
Concert Review: McGraw has plenty of fight left –
Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
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Love Is Everything
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