Patriot Performers
‘Americans Idol’ heartthrobs charm troops overseas.
By Joshua Hudson

What is more American than apple pie? In the 21st century, it is the wildly popular TV show “American Idol.” For seven years the program has been our country’s number one show, and many of the contestants have become household names.

The show parades a chorus of melodious hopefuls and tin-eared contestants in front of the country. It shows us the true voice of America through its contestants and us, the voters. Even the judges play the shoulder angels and demons we all have.

British ex-patriot Simon Cowell echoes our own painfully truthful critiques. Paula Abdul whispers those determined little encouragements to follow our dreams. Randy Jackson reminds us that even the best voice can be a little “pitchy” at the best of times. This season Kara DioGuardi joins the judges’ panel.

While the show combines the opportunity for all Americans to follow their dream, it seems that the voices that rise above the glee club of mediocrity are the voices that represent not just talented individuals, but artists who represent our American ideals.

So it’s not surprising that within the small clique of Americans privileged to call themselves American Idols, many are singing about, visiting, or serving in the military. G.I. Jobs has interviewed two of these former Idols and USO Tour performers: Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood.

Kellie Pickler became an instant household name in the fifth season of the show. Her small town North Carolina charm was as enchanting as her vocals. Now a chart topping country music star, she recently returned from her second performance with the USO tour in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Seeing the faces of over 20,000 military men and women, that is forever imprinted in my mind,” she wrote in her MySpace blog. “Once again, the most incredible thing I have ever done in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the men and women serving our country. I will never take what you do for granted.”

Q: Growing up in North Carolina with large bases like Fort Bragg, did you have much exposure to the military?

Pickler: I had friends down in Fayetteville, and so sure I have gone down there before. I have always admired our military. My grandfather (who I lived with off and on my whole life) was a Marine and I was always very proud about that.

Q: But knowing about the military through friends and your family, did you feel you really understood our military?

Pickler: I went to Iraq in December 2007. I have a totally different respect for the USO and the military after doing the tour. Going to Iraq, I have a better respect for life and those serving our country. We take so much for granted, and when you see what they see every day it makes me grateful and proud to be an American.

Q: What made you grateful?

Pickler: I was overwhelmed by Iraq. The media tends to focus on all the bad things that happen there, but there are so many positive things that we are doing. We are cleaning up the roads; building schools and helping the Iraqis make things better. It is dangerous, but it is amazing that we have the resources to help. I think that if the media would show all the wonderful things we are doing there, our country would be more supportive of our military there.

Q: So if you think that people should be more supportive, why aren’t there more celebrities visiting the troops and bringing back that message?

Pickler: There are a lot of different wrestlers, comedians and musicians that go to Iraq. More [celebrities] don’t go because they are either scared or they don’t support the war. No one wants to go to war, but our troops are there regardless. It is not about supporting the war; it is about supporting the military. Some of them are there 18 months and need a piece of home, even if it is just for 10 minutes.

Q: Do you think you brought that piece of home to them?

Pickler: I wrote a song called “Small Town Girl” about my home town. After I finished that song, I met some troops and one man said, “Kelly, when you were singing that song, I felt like I was back home.” That is huge and means a lot to me. I love the fact that I can write a song and have 100,000 people come up to me and say “that is my life story.”

Q: Are you going to go back to Iraq again?

Pickler: I can’t wait to go back!

Underwood: I got the opportunity to visit places that I had never been to before. I honestly didn’t know what to expect. The time we went was just before Christmas when everyone would much rather be at home with their families, so I was surprised to see how good-spirited everyone was. They were excited to have us there and to know that people cared enough to come visit. They kept thanking all of us, and it felt so silly to be thanked knowing that I got to go home the next week. The Soldiers showed me pictures of the work they were doing in the local schools. All of the pictures were much different than the ones that I saw on the news every night. They were doing so much good around them.

Q: What has been your favorite moment or experience working with the USO or the military?

Underwood: It’s hard to pick one favorite moment. Going overseas was so amazing and everyone was so helpful and nice. I would love to do that again someday!

Q: In your video for “Just a Dream” you play a military wife. Was that a difficult transformation?

Underwood: It just required a little bit of acting. I don’t pretend to know what it is really like to be a military wife. It was, however, difficult to cry on command!

Q: How do you overcome emotion to perform on stage?

Underwood: The more I sing on stage, the easier things get. And the more emotions I feel during the songs, it only make things better. People want to feel something when they’re in the audience. If they see me getting into the song, hopefully they will as well.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say to the thousands of military spouses who have a husband or wife serving in the war?

Underwood: I’m not sure there is anything I could possibly say to make any military spouse feel better. But just know that there are so many people that think about and pray for you every single day. You are appreciated!