Operation Encore: Soldiers, Stories, and Songs

Episode #40: Airborne Veteran Chuck Briseno: “From West Point to West Hollywood”

In this episode of Soldiers, Songs & Stories Guy Jaquier and Adam Rossi talk with Chuck Briseno about his journey from growing up in a small south Texas town, reared on a mix of Tejano, country and Red Dirt music, enlisting in the Army and later graduating from West Point. Chuck served from 2005-2018 in the 173rd Airborne with deployments to Afghanistan, fighting in the Konar and Korengal Valleys, made famous by the National Geographic documentary “Restreppo”.  He separated from the Army as an O3 and now fronts his non-stop touring band that plays some 200 gigs a year. Chuck is the epitome of the term “hard working musician”. In this episode, you will hear Chuck’s songs: “Live Oak Country” “Folded Flag” “She’s My Home” If you would like to follow Chuck and his tour schedule, you can check him out at Chuck Briseno.com [http://ChuckBriseno.com] And if you would like to support Operation Encore and this show, you can learn more and donate at: https://operationencore.org  [https://operationencore.org ] https://operationencore.org/donate [https://operationencore.org/donate] Support the show [http://www.operationencore.org]

Episode #39: Operation Encore Executive Director and Board Member Guy Jaquier

In this episode of Soldiers, Stories and Songs, Adam Rossi and Rachel Hill flip the script on one of our usual podcast co-hosts and sit down with Operation Encore (OE) Executive Director and Board Member Guy Jaquier.  They discuss OE’s founding by a group of USAF Colonels, how OE works with its artists to help further their professional music careers and some of its initiatives in the works. During this episode, they also explore three of Guy’s songs, including: “Elko” “Ghost Town”, and “Bad Day For Dogs And Men” If you would like to support Operation Encore and this show, you can learn more and donate at: https://operationencore.org [https://operationencore.org/] (https://operationencore.org/ [https://operationencore.org/]) (https://operationencore.org/ [https://operationencore.org/]) (https://operationencore.org/donate [https://operationencore.org/donate]) Support the show [http://www.operationencore.org]

Episode #38: Air National Guard Firefighter and Recruiter Jovon Newman

In this episode of Soldiers, Stories & Songs, Guy Jaquier and Adam Rossi spend time with Air National Guard Firefighter and Recruiter Jovon Newman.  Jovon was born in Philadelphia, PA and has served for 9 years (and counting) in the Delaware Air National Guard, currently as an E6 Tech Sargent stationed with the 166 Airlift Wing. Jovon’s musical style is a wonderful blend of country, pop, R&B, with a touch of North East Coast that has been bringing him recognition, awards and radio play. In 2022, Jovon’s debut single, "Certified," was awarded Best Country Americana Song of the Year at the Delaware Public Media Awards. His latest single, "Lovin You Back," has resonated with audiences from Pennsylvania to Delaware and beyond and was nominated for Best Country Song of the Year for 2023. In this episode, we will hear Jovon’s songs: “Certified” “Lovin’ You Back”, and “Never Felt This Way Before” If you enjoy listening to Jovon, you can follow him at: https://www.facebook.com/Jovon.Newman.Music/ [https://www.facebook.com/Jovon.Newman.Music/] And if you would like to support Operation Encore and this show, you can learn more and donate at: https://operationencore.org [https://operationencore.org/] (https://operationencore.org/ [https://operationencore.org/]) (https://operationencore.org/donate [https://operationencore.org/donate]) Support the show [http://www.operationencore.org]

Episode #37: Army Veteran Sean Russell

In this episode of “Soldiers, Stories & Songs”, Guy (Jaquier) and Adam (Rossi) spend time with OE artist Sean Russell.  Sean was born in Los Angeles and served four years in the US Army as an infantryman.  He deployed to Kuwait in late 1994 as part of Operation Vigilant Warrior after the Iraqi Republican Guard started making moves on the country.  This massive 72 hour airlift and prepositioning of US forces is credited with deterring Saddam Hussein from trying to repeat the 1990 invasion of Kuwait. During the podcast, Sean talks about growing up in “Reagan’s America”, writing his first recorded song while stationed along the DMZ in Korea, almost crashing his car when he heard his first song on the radio and starting his alt-rock Fort Worth band called the “Cut Throat Finches”. In this episode you will hear three of Sean’s original songs; “Moon Beast” “Come Undone” “New Age” If you enjoy listening to Sean, you can follow him at: https://www.facebook.com/cutthroatfinches/ [https://www.facebook.com/cutthroatfinches/]  And if you would like to support Operation Encore and this show, you can learn more and donate at: https://operationencore.org [https://operationencore.org/] (https://operationencore.org/donate [https://operationencore.org/donate]) Support the show (http://www.operationencore.org/ [http://www.operationencore.org/]) Support the show [http://www.operationencore.org]

Episode #36: Airborne Veteran Marc Ridge

In this episode of “Soldiers, Stories & Songs”, Guy (Jaquier) and Adam (Rossi) spend time with OE artist and Army veteran Marc Ridge. Marc enlisted at age 18 and served four years in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, including a 12 month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.   During the podcast, Marc shares his incredible journey. After being born in Lafayette, Indiana to a mother who was then 15 years old, Marc started playing guitar at age 12 and was writing songs and playing open mic events at age 14. By age 16, Marc was playing solo shows in bars and living on his own. Over the next few years, he met his wife and then an Army recruiter, and his life changed forever. In this episode you will three of Marc’s original songs; “Teenage Momma” “Airborne Man” “Ain’t a Rich Man” If you enjoy listening to an authentic troubadour, with a voice like Chris Stapleton and a passion for representing the common working man, you are going to love Marc’s music. You can learn more about him at: https://www.marcridge.com [https://www.marcridge.com/] (https://www.marcridge.com [https://www.marcridge.com/]) And if you would like to support Operation Encore and this show, you can learn more and donate at: https://operationencore.org [https://operationencore.org/donate] (https://operationencore.org/donate [https://operationencore.org/donate]) Support the show [http://www.operationencore.org]