Soldier featured on country music magazine Web site

10.08.2007

Courtesy Story

28th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Beatrice Florescu
Multi-National Corps-Iraq
Public Affairs Office

You may have heard him sing at the opening of the Toby Keith concert on Camp Victory or at the Sept. 11 ceremony in the Al Faw Palace. You may have even seen him being pulled on stage by Chely Wright.

Friends call him Travis and he said he loves country music.

Army Spc. David "Travis" Bishop, a multi-channel transmission system operator and maintainer of 3rd Signal Brigade, plays guitar and sings with every chance he gets. The Louisville, Ky., native has been serving his country for almost four years and is on his first tour in Iraq.

During his spare time on Camp Victory, Bishop plays guitar and performs karaoke Friday evenings at the Stables.

"(My) best friends would probably say I am a funny guy, and yet the only thing I can talk about is my aspiring musical career," he said.

His passion for performing started after a talent show in April where he interpreted a Garth Brooks song for a 300-people audience, he said.

"I was afraid, but everyone was clapping and cheering me on," he said. "I realized I was the only one on stage. That is addictive."

He started singing when he was younger after his parents had gotten a divorce, he said. While Bishop and his mother were driving away, there was a Garth Brooks song on the radio that made his mother cry.

"I wanted to be a country singer because I want to write songs and get an emotional response from the public," Bishop said. "I play the guitar for the girls. Everyone can be a good country singer, but playing the guitar is a little bit more difficult."

While he may listen to many genres of music, no other style inspires him to want to sing or write, he said.

"Country music speaks to me in a way that no other music does," he added. "Other types of music may make you want to shake your body, while with others you may just want to lie down in your room."

He found support from his parents who bought him a guitar and encouraged him to pursue his dream, he said. In the Army, he found even a bigger supporting family. From the beginning, even his drill sergeants knew he wanted to be a singer, Bishop said.

"The September 11 remembrance event was the first time I was asked to sing a specific song," Bishop said. "Otherwise the unit volunteered me for every picnic."

Bishop was recently featured on the New Country Star Web site and was interviewed and featured as an uprising talented performer. He has a CD out while singing and playing guitar, with non-original tracks. His music is also available on the Internet at www.myspace.com/travisbishopmusic.

Although he is dreaming of his aspiring musical career every day, Travis is still determined to serve his country. Travis recently re-enlisted and dedicated another four years to the Army.

His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

• Date Taken: 10.08.2007
• Date Posted: 10.08.2007 06:51
• Story ID: 12741