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AMERICAN SOLDIER (A Tribute to Toby Keith) BIO DeWayne Terry from Burleson, TX (Dallas area) has been playing music his whole life. Originally from the great state of Oklahoma not far from Toby Keith, DeWayne played all over the country from California to North Carolina. He even played some of the same bars in Texas and Oklahoma that Toby played when he was starting out with his band Easy Money. DeWayne moved to Nashville in the 90’s to pursue a full-time music career. After many years with some success in the “Music Business” DeWayne realized, it wasn’t easy to stand out in a sea of new artists that were getting signed in the 90’s. Even with the Texas radio airplay, staff writing job in Nashville, record deal offers, and multiple music executives promising the world. Promises don’t pay the bills. After three months of living in his truck and working as a welder fabricator, DeWayne decided to pack up his old guitar and close his song writing book for now. It was time to leave Nashville and head out West. He took a job with Boeing as an aircraft mechanic in Phoenix where he played the club circuit there for the next year or so. Oh yeah, DeWayne has an Associate’s Degree in aerospace structures and had even went to work for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft right out of high school. Not a bad Plan B. He now lives in Texas and is satisfied still working on fighter jets during the day, ranching of the evening and playing music at night. For years people told DeWayne you look just like Toby Keith. You should do a tribute to him. This is something he would have never considered. Feeling that if you have been a musician all of your life, It’s hard to imagine being anything other than yourself on stage. After turning down many offers over the years to perform as Toby, DeWayne got a call from an old friend that would make him reconsider. Frank Garrett from the band Left Of Centre (LOC). The house band at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill on the Las Vegas strip for 13 years, who also owns the Country Artists Tribute (CAT) show was looking for a new Toby Keith tribute artist. They have been backing 14 different Tribute artist and playing sold out shows coast to coast for over 10 years. CAT already had two Toby tributes and needed one more for the high demand for him after his passing. LOC has backed up the REAL TOBY KEITH many times and talked to him about doing their tribute to him. After turning down several offers Frank remembered how much his old buddy DeWayne naturally looked and sounded like Toby without trying. No smoke and mirrors. Toby Keith is a Legend in Country Music. He was loved by everyone and was always true to his music and himself. He was not a Democrat nor Republican. He was an Independent that loved his Country and performed for the soldiers here and overseas many times. He was very generous with his time and his money. Most people don’t realize the millions of dollars he donated because he didn’t talk about it. He just did it in true Toby fashion. We named our show American Soldier in Honor of his love for this country. God Bless the Big Dog Daddy himself Mr. Toby Keith! Your timeless music will live on forever! RIP TK
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