By: U.S. Army Pfc. Christopher Holton
KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan- If you ask his battle buddies what they think about Zac Charles they might ask, “You mean Short?” On the other hand, if you were to ask his music fans what they think about Zach Short they would probably reply, “Who is that?”
This is the contradiction in the life of 22-year-old U.S. Army Pfc. Zachary William Charles Short, a combat medic from Bend, Ore., currently deployed to Afghanistan with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 6th Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke.
Many soldiers have diverse talents and hobbies outside their military occupations. However, few have recorded music and even less have had their music played on the radio.
Short, who records his music under the name Zac Charles, became one of these few, when his single "Until I Get Home" became the third most requested song on country music radio stations in the Elizabethtown, Ky., area.
This is quite an accomplishment in its own right for any aspiring musician, but judging by the number of fans he has amassed, it may only be the beginning of his musical journey.
Short began writing music at the age of 12. He grew up listening to country music artists such as Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley and Jeremy Camp.
He said his attraction to their music is due to the fact he feels as though he can relate to what they sing about, adding that he also writes about his life experiences.
“I write about things I see and feel around me. I think music turns out better that way,” he said.
Short put his musical career aspirations on hold at the age of 19 to join the Army in order to support his family. He is a husband and a father who does not hesitate to mention that his wife and son are the most important aspects of his life. “My wife has been a big inspiration for a lot of my songs,” he added.
Currently, he puts his mission as a combat medic first.
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunities the Army has offered me as a soldier, a husband, and a father,” he said. “It has been interesting to see my military career form, and I have learned so much.”
Being able to continue his passion for writing and playing music while deployed has helped Short combat his combat stress. He is quick to attribute music for lifting both his and other soldier’s spirits.
“My morale has improved greatly being able to do music out here,” he said. “I have also had the opportunity to improve the morale of the soldiers around me. On many occasions a bunch of us have sat around at night after missions and sang a few songs.”
His music serves as a constant reminder to his family of how much he loves and misses them.
“I wrote [“Until I Get Home”] when I was away from my wife, and it reflects on the feeling I had then,” he said.
While in Afghanistan, Short acquired another supporter: U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua Bova, a Houston native and soldier in Batttery A. After hearing his music, Bova said he became an instant fan.
“He could be an instant star in the world of country music,” said Bova. “He just needs to be heard.”
Bova has even collaborated with Short in writing a song called “Blush.”
Upon returning from deployment Bova plans to be part of Short’s public relations team. Already, there has been interest expressed by “Good Morning America” to have Short appear on the show.
Bova said he hopes that after Short records a few more songs they can “get him a record deal somewhere, so people who haven’t heard him can, and so his fans can hear him more often.”
He plans to record some tracks in Nashville shortly after returning to the U.S.
“I’ve got a good studio lined up and I’ll be excited to start recording,” he said.
It appears as though many more people may find out who Zach Short is, even if they discover him under the name Zac Charles. He probably won’t mind which name they call him by, as long as they are listening to his music.