Miranda Lambert returns to Fort Sill for July 2 concert

By Mrs Monica Wood (TRADOC)June 23, 2011

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(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. - Country music star Miranda Lambert, eight-time Grammy nominee and platinum-selling recording artist and songwriter, is looking forward to coming to Fort Sill to celebrate the Independence Day Weekend, she said in an e-mail interview.

Lambert headlines the concert tour with special guests Merle Haggard and Stoney LaRue July 2 on the Fort Sill Polo Field.

“I feel honored to spend such a special time with the people who are fighting for our freedom,” said Lambert, in an exclusive interview with the Cannoneer.

“The crowd last time was amazing, and they certainly know how to have a good time. My show is all about leaving your problems at the door and just escaping for a few hours while having lots of fun, and I hope we can deliver just that for these heroes,” she said.

Lambert, who has performed at Fort Sill twice before and lives with her husband, Blake Shelton, near Tishomingo, Okla., said it’s always great to be able to perform near her new home.

“I’ve really come to love Oklahoma for the normal life I am able to live on my farm there. I have great respect for our women and men in uniform, and it’s humbling to see what they give to protect our freedoms,” she said. “Performing for our military is always such an amazing experience. They are a very enthusiastic audience, and that always helps to make my show better.”

Lambert’s first album, “Kerosene,” came out in 2005 and debuted at No. 1, joining an exclusive group of only seven artists in the history of SoundScan to come out at No. 1 on the Country Sales Chart. The album was named one of the year’s 10 best albums by the “New York Times,” “Rolling Stone” and CMT.com among others.

Her second album in 2007,“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,”also debuted at No. 1 on the charts. In 2010, Lambert won the Country Music Association female vocalist of the year, album of the year for “Revolution,” video of the year for “The House That Built Me,” the Country Music Television female video of the year for “White Liar,” and three Academy of Country Music awards.

To date, Lambert has 16 awards under her belt and has recorded three platinum albums in a row, making her one of only four artists in country music history whose first three albums landed a top position right out of the box.

Lambert said she is looking forward to the performances of her special guests at the concert. “As I’m sure everyone knows, Merle Haggard is my hero, so I’m excited about playing this show with him. I am also a fan of Stoney LaRue; I invited him to play my “Cause for the Paws” benefit in Tyler,Texas, earlier this year.”

The concert is open to the public and tickets are available at area Stripes convenience stores, Crutcher’s Western Wear, Mega Cleaners and online at www.sillmwr.com. On Fort Sill, tickets are available at the Welcome Center in 4700 Mow-Way Road, Twin Oaks Bowling Center, the Impact Zone and Little Java Café. Advanced tickets are $35 or $40 at the gate. People may begin parking on post as early as 2 p.m., however, gates to the concert area open at 6 p.m.The show starts at 6:20 p.m.