FORT SILL, Okla.-- Country music singer, songwriter Brad Paisley will perform live on the Fort Sill Polo Field in his Virtual Reality Concert Tour Aug. 15 for a free concert to honor military service men and women and their families.
"Brad Paisley has offered to do a free concert to show the service men and women appreciation for all they do to protect and defend our freedom and we are very excited to be able to offer the Fort Sill community a free concert of this caliber," said Brenda Spencer-Ragland, director of Family and MWR.
About Paisley
Paisley's passion for music began at age 8, when his grandfather gave him his first guitar. By the age of 12, the young musician was singing in church and at civic meetings and playing in his first band, for which he wrote his own material. Paisley eventually secured a regular spot on Jamboree USA, a popular country music radio show. Paisley was so popular with listeners that he was invited to join the program as a full-time musician, opening for musicians such as The Judds and Roy Clark.
Paisley made his debut as a solo artist after signing to Arista records. He released his first album, Who Needs Pictures, in 1999. The record produced the No. 1 hit "He Didn't Have to Be," followed by the chart-topping single, "We Danced."
The album sold more than one million copies, and catapulted Paisley to fame. The next year, the Academy of Country Music named Paisley the year's Best New Male Vocalist, and the Country Music Association (CMA) granted him the prestigious Horizon Award. In February of 2001, Paisley was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry's Hall of Fame. Several months later, he received his first Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist. He also released his second album, Part II, which featured his cheeky and unforgettable No. 1 single "I'm Gonna Miss Her."
Paisley and Carrie Underwood teamed up to record the duet, "Oh Love," on his release, 5th Gear. Reaching the top spot on the country album charts, the album featured several No. 1 hit singles, including "Online" and "I'm Still a Guy." Paisley has won 14 CMA awards including the current title, Entertainer of the Year.
Concert attendees
The concert will be open to all ID card holders, active duty, reserve, national guard, family and friends. No ticket will be issued, just come on out and enjoy the show," said Spencer-Ragland. "It will be a safe, fun and family-oriented concert for the military community."
Getting to the show
For all general admission concert-goers, parking will be on Conklin Field, located south of the Polo Field. Drivers should enter post through Gate 2, off Rogers Lane, to access general admission parking. Gate 2 will open at 2 p.m. on Aug. 15.
According to Lt. Chris Alverson, Fort Sill Police Department, Key Gate, off of I-44 will close at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 15.
"There will be no entry or exit from the east or west Key Gate after that time. For preferred parking and handicapped parking drivers can enter post from Scott Gate (Fort Sill Boulevard), Apache Gate or Bentley Gate on Sheridan Road. All traffic exiting the concert will go through Gate 2 or Scott Gate," he said. "We will have a parking detail to direct traffic to the parking areas."
Alverson said all bags, backpacks, folding chairs and like items will be checked at event entry points.There will be two holding areas at both the north and south gate entry points with a live radio remote at the south holding area, and food and beverage. Concert-goers can start entering post and parking for the show after 2 p.m. Items attendees might want to bring are sunscreen and a blanket or folding chair to sit on.
No camera and/or recording equipment, pets, glass or weapons, including small knives and Leatherman-type tools, will be allowed in the venue.Coolers and similar containers are not allowed but refreshments will be available at a variety of concessions. Public consumption of alcoholic beverages is restricted to the concert area only. Beer will be served only to patrons displaying an alcohol wristband.
For more information, go to www.sillmwr.com.