Boredom brings Airman new found artistic freedom

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Stephen Bailey
  • 301st Fighter Wing
Fort Worth, TEXAS --  Travis Roman is physically not a very big man, but the musical sounds he produces from deep within make him the envy of everyone who has tried to lay down a beat. 

His self-taught 'beat box' skills have seen him win everything from military talent shows, to competing for a Tops in Blue spot, to his recent accolade of being selected to perform with the Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) group performing for combat troops in Kuwait, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. 

Staff Sergeant Roman, an Air Reserve Technician working with the 301st Fighter Wing aircrew flight equipment section, was handpicked by AFE after they liked the demo he sent of some of his group's songs. The Connection, a two-man group formed within the last six months, pins Roman's beat box creativity with Dallas native, Grant Braudrick's, singer and song writer abilities. 

"We met on 'Craigs list' after Grant posted that he was looking for someone who liked 'acoustic roots' brand of music. After meeting and talking for only a short time, the connection was quickly made and we instantly starting writing, producing, and performing our songs -- in fact we're on stage performing nearly every weekend in the Dallas-Fort Worth area." 

So how did a kid from Orlando, Fla., who had no formal music training, become so talented that he's performing on stage every weekend? For Roman, it started with being bored. 

"Well, not really, but my job with packing parachutes can be long and tedious -- so one day, I just started making a beat with my voice while I was working -- I slowly started getting good and the more I learned, the better I got. 

In 2003, while on active duty at Beale AFB, Calif., he won the base talent show, then won the Worldwide talent show, but did not go with Tops in Blue because they didn't have a spot in that year's show for his talent. He left active-duty shortly thereafter to pursue his college education and his work within the Reserve. 

Inspired by old school artists like James Brown and Stevie Wonder to Ben Harper, Roman and Grant like to write music which appeals to all ages. 

"And you can see that during our concerts, Grant said. "We've got everyone in the audience from college students to middle age moms -- it's great." 

Grant, who comes from a family who supported and helped spark his musical ability, boasts he can play pretty much any stringed instrument from the six- and twelve-string guitar, to the ukulele and weissenborn. He even plays the piano, harmonica, and is working with learning the violin. 

"Roman and I make a great team in writing and producing to performing our music --joining together has made our musical talents even stronger," he said. 

Getting the chance to travel overseas with AFE has also been the dream of a lifetime for The Connection. The two artists love to share their music with their fans and being able to encourage the troops allows them to both do that and to tell the troops how much they appreciate their sacrifice to this country. Roman, who has yet had to be deployed as a reservist said he didn't expect his first war zone experience to be as an entertainer, but at least he said he wouldn't have to spend time living there in a tent "although we have not been told of our living arrangements -- maybe we will," he said jokingly. 

According to the young performers, the AFE has often been mistaken for the USO which is known for showcasing big names like Bob Hope in World War II to more recently headlining Kid Rock and other big-time performers. The AFE focuses on new performers helping to give them an audience forum they might not have had on their own. 

Family and friends have also joined in The Connections recent fame with their encouragement and support. "Our families couldn't be happier with the opportunities we are receiving," Roman said. "They want us to be safe but have a good time as well." 

The two have also written a military song entitled, "The Land I Love" which, according to them, is a powerful message they will premier during their trip. 

"This is a chance of a lifetime - we're definitely going to give our best for the troops!"