Adam Warner loves our country and loves country music. This singer-songwriter is a former Marine and a graduate of MTSU. He was part of the songwriting team behind the 2018 Tennessee Titans anthem "Welcome to the South" — played at every home game at Nissan Stadium. He did his duet, "Semper Fi," featuring Trace Adkins: paying homage to active and former military. He has shared the stage with A-list musicians as Jamey Johnson, Neil McCoy, Rhonda Vincent and Darrell Singletary.
Newsmax is honored to be presenting the exclusive premier of "Reason To Redneck."
I recently spoke to Adam by telephone.
I asked him about his time in the Marines, what was his MOS and where he served. "I joined the Marine Corps in 2004 on an 'open contract': I’m color-blind and have asthma.
"The Marines have a lot of things in red and green, there were no corrective lenses then. I was stationed for two years in D.C., doing ceremonial stuff, drill platoon, the Iwo Jima memorial.
"Then, I was in CENTCOM — Bahrain for two years, doing Intel and personal security for General Mattis."
Knowing that Middle Tennessee State University attracts musicians who want to be near Nashville, I asked if he was lured into the music world at MTSU or before.
"It was after MTSU. I started my first band in the eighth grade. (At school) I met some like-minded songwriters. I pray about it a lot. My wife told me to pray about it and I did. I wanted to be an entertainer."
I joked with him about writing "Welcome to the South," but being from a small town in Illinois. "Southeastern!" He laughingly fired back.
"Close enough. I was with my friends. My manager told me the Titans were looking for a new pump-up song. I grew up playing sports all my life: football, baseball, wrestling. All of my coaches talked about 'Protect this house!'"
We were talking about his wildest or most memorable gigs: "Playing the Grand Ole’ Opry might be the most! Right before COVID, during CMA week, I played there. I met an Army Special Forces songwriter. We wrote songs. My pastor talked about 'You’re always someone God can use.' Mark had been writing about a homeless vet. Two weeks later, we sang it at the Grand Ole’ Opry House!
"My manager had sent it to (the country star) Brenda Lee. She went to bat for me."
He noted that as a kid, he took piano lessons and that both his grandmas played the piano. He took some guitar lessons, but mostly plays by ear.
I wondered if there was anything about the Marine Corps lifestyle that has stuck with him.
"Absolutely. When I first wake up, I make my bed, do PT. I loved the Marines. I didn’t re-enlist (after spending) 2 years overseas. I made the best friends. The mental toughness, respecting people around you.
"The Marines aren’t for everybody, but I wish every person over 18 would go through military boot camp."
Thank you, Adam Warner, for speaking with Newsmax, just as your career is taking off!
To delver further into: "Reason to Redneck," access and play this audio clip. You can also watch a lyric video here. And you can view some film-related artwork here.
Additonal information for: "Reason to Redneck":
Release Date: May 18, 2022
Audio Producer: Daniel Dennis.
Songwriters: John Caldwell, Mark Addison Chandler, Davis Corley, Dawson Edwards.
Record Label: Sunday Supper Records via The Orchard.
Tamar Alexia Fleishman was the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's youngest female solo violinist. A world-traveler, Fleishman provides readers with international flavor and culture. She's debated Bill Maher, Greta Van Susteren and Dr. Phil. Fleishman practices law in Maryland with a J.D. from the University of Baltimore, a B.A. in Political Science from Goucher College. Read Tamar Alexia Fleishman's Reports — More Here.
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