Bobby Chitwood honors Veteran’s Day with A Soldier’s Ballad
By Alan Shipston for Country Music News International Magazine
Bobby Chitwood has a strong dedication to those who have served in the US Military and honors this year’s Veteran’s Day by releasing, A Soldier’s Ballad. Although it’s a simple acoustic guitar and vocal recording, Chitwood embraces the message of gratitude and sacrifice as he sings, “I’ve known lonely and I’ve known scared, I felt the pain of war and I left my brothers there,” He goes on to lament that although he serves in the Wyoming National Guard, he feels disconnected from those fighting on the front lines, wishing somehow he could join them. Chitwood repeats the theme with, “How can I say I’m lonely and who am I to say I’m scared, I left my brother on the front lines and I’m safe at home right here.”
Deep respect comes from a long line of family veterans who served as Army officers dating back to the American Civil War, World War 1, World War 2 and the Korean conflict. Bobby is currently a spokesperson for Wounded Warrior Homes and Hydrate Heroes having written a special anthem for the latter entitled Everyday Hero.
Born in Brownwood, Texas, Bobby was raised on the classic country of Merle Haggard, George Jones, George Strait and Alan Jackson. Even with these great names, Chitwood infused his style with a southern rock flavor to find his own voice. He started writing at an early age, influenced by his grandfather, Emmet Royce Larkin who was a respected Christian singer with Chapel Records in the 60’s. Bobby played in a cover band while attending college in Waco, Texas and soon took to the road opening for acts like John Michael Montgomery, Tracy Lawrence, Clay Walker, David Ball and many others.
Bobby collaborated with Jason Mraz on a recut of Jason’s song, I Won’t Give Up for Chitwood’s album, Gravity. In 2024, Cowboy Troy and Chitwood wrote, Twisted and released the song to radio, pushing into the top 100. With Veteran’s Day upon us, the release of A Soldier’s Ballad is perfect timing to continue the story of Bobby Chitwood.