The Tennessee National Guard's Darby Ledbetter is headed back to Iraq for the fourth time, but this time, his deployment will be interrupting one of his dreams: making a mark on Country Music.
“When you get the call, you know, you just do what you have to do and roll with it,” Ledbetter said in an interview with Nashville's News Channel 5.
Before his deployment, the singer/soldier’s friends and family congregated at BMI in Nashville last Friday to celebrate his new album, Soldier Up. With his new fame, Ledbetter is ready for both roles as a Country singer and a soldier.
“Running these two lives parallel is a juggling act, but to bring them together is nothing short of a dream come true,” he said.
Recently, an Army National Guard promotion campaign featured Ledbetter’s song, “I Won’t Let My Guard Down.” The ad played in eight southeast states’ movie theaters last summer.
Once he is back in Iraq, Ledbetter plans on performing for fellow soldiers.
“Whenever I get a chance, I’m going to play them some songs, hopefully entertain some troops, take them away for a minute or two,” he said.
Ledbetter’s album is ready for release, but the date is yet to be announced.
