Former Army Ranger releases country album

[SR-25]

Keni Thomas was an Army Ranger who survived the deadly 1993 firefight in Somalia that inspired the book and movie "Black Hawk Down."

Now, he's a songwriter who draws on his military background in a country music album coming out Tuesday.

Thomas -- a 39-year-old Columbus, Georgia native -- struggled for years to make it big with his country-rock band Cornbread. The band was featured in the movie, "Sweet Home Alabama," but stardom never came.

In fact, Thomas was close to trading his cowboy boots for his old combat boots and heading to Iraq as a security guard for a private company.

But a phone call from an Army buddy changed his mind. Jeff Struecker -- who also fought in Somalia and is now an Army chaplain -- told Thomas that his songs inspire soldiers and that he can do more good with a microphone than with a rifle.

In addition to singing, Thomas has served as an analyst for networks including C-N-N and has lectured on Somalia and other military matters.

On his album -- titled "Flags of Our Fathers" -- Thomas's songs include "Not Me," the first single which is starting to receive some airplay on country radio.

The single was listed at Number 47 on last week's Radio and Records country airplay chart.

The most autobiographical song is one called "Fight I Couldn't Win." In it Thomas sings the words: (quote) "I ran over to help my friend/I tried to keep the life inside of him/That's a fight I couldn't win."


http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp...8&nav=8fapVVif

This is a damned good CD. I ordered one a couple weeks ago. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which is a very worthwhile cause.

RLTW
EP