Marine musician salutes families of the fallen
7/28/2010
By
Lance Cpl. Jacob D. Osborne
,
Headquarters Marine Corps
MITCHELLVILLE, Md.
A Marine musician left concert goers in awe after performing a five-song country-rock set at the American Heroes Festival July 24.
Lt. Col. Mike Corrado took the stage at Six Flags as the show’s opening act; a performance dedicated to families who have lost loved ones in wars fought for America’s freedom.
Corrado, an operations officer with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, said he enjoys playing music to help other people get through their pain and heal the soul.
“To be a part of this event is amazing,” Corrado said.
Before taking up the guitar, Corrado loved to play the drums. Although while attending the Citadel, a military college in South Carolina, his passion for drumming became an issue with his neighbors. This is around the time when Corrado picked up a guitar and taught himself how to play.
Today, Corrado has produced eight albums and opened for big names like The Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi and John Myer. Before returning to active duty in 2001, he performed between 200 and 250 shows a year.
“After 9/11, I got a call saying they could really use me,” Corrado said.
Tommy Brothers, a guitar player in the Mike Corrado Band, said having a Marine in the group made things a little more difficult because of the distance. However, he understands that being a Marine is very important to Corrado.
“He has been an inspiration for me and I am very honored he does what he does for me,” said Brothers, a Wilmington, N.C., native.
Steve Thorne, a Virginia Beach, Va., native and saxophone player in Mike Corrado Band, said it’s an honor to play with a Marine, and to play in front of the families of the fallen.
“To play some music to help heal the soul is humbling and an amazing opportunity,” Corrado said.
|
 
MITCHELLVILE, Md.-Lt. Col. Mike Corrado, a country-rock musician serving with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, tunes his guitar during a warm-up session at Six Flags America, Mitchellville, Md., July 24, 2010. Corrado learned to play the guitar as an alternative to the drums when he was living in the barracks at The Citadel, Charleston, S.C., Lance Cpl. Benjamin Harris, 7/24/2010 12:22 PM
MITCHELLVILE, Md.-Gold Star family members show their appreciation during a concert held in their honor July 24, 2010, at Six Flags America in Mitchellville, Md. The concert was part of Families United Weekend of Remembrance, a weekend dedicated to bringing Gold Star families together and recognize the sacrifices of their family members., Lance Cpl. Benjamin Harris, 7/24/2010 4:17 PM
MITCHELLVILLE, Md.-Lt. Col. Mike Corrado, an operations officer with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, plays the guitar and sings to the best of his ability for the families of the fallen at the American Heroes Festival July 24, 2010. Corrado currently serves his country inside and outside of the military., Lance Cpl. Jacob D. Osborne, 7/24/2010 1:58 PM
MITCHELLVILLE, Md.-Lt. Col. Mike Corrado, an operations officer with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, takes the stage for a sound check before his opening show at Six Flags America July 24, 2010. Corrado has been the opening act for big names in music like John Myer, Bon Jovi and the Black Eyed Peas., Lance Cpl. Jacob D. Osborne, 7/24/2010 11:27 AM
|