U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Jared R. LoStracco
By Lt. Lesley Lykins
USS Nassau Strike Group Public Affairs
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va., Oct. 31, 2005 — A junior officer attached to USS Austin has been selected to receive the award for “Country Single of the Year” for his song “Angel” Nov. 9 at the Los Angeles Music Awards.
Lt. j.g. Jared R. LoStracco, 25, from Nacogdoches, Texas, performed for servicemembers in May prior to a USO concert while his ship was moored at the U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay to support Operation New Horizon.
“The head of MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) for the base, Craig Basal, heard me play, thought it was good, and while we were there set up a night at the Officer's Club so I could play,” said LoStracco.
Al Bowman, the executive producer for the Los Angeles Music Awards, was at the ‘Gitmo' Officer's Club that night and heard LoStracco play. “He heard me play and asked me for a CD of my original work,” said LoStracco. Later that evening Bowman invited LoStracco to Hollywood to be presented with an award at the Los Angeles Music Awards.
The Los Angeles Music Awards were founded in 1991 by Bowman after nearly 10 years of successfully operating a small limousine and entertainment company that catered mostly to music industry professionals. Now in its 14th year, the organization is the longest running major awards show for independent artists in the country.
“I just booked my plane ticket and hotel stay at the Biltmore in Los Angeles where the awards show and after party will take place,” said LoStracco.
He plans to bring his best friend from high school as well as his booking agent to accompany him down the red carpet.
“I thought it (the show in ‘Gitmo') would go over really corny when my executive officer first asked me if I would play to kill time before the USO show,” said LoStracco, who knew the crowd was there to see country music singer Toby Keith.
LoStracco is still amazed that the approximately 450 servicemembers appreciated his music.
“It was really cool having that many people out there and they were all really supportive,” he said.
The captain and crew of Austin are excited about the success of their administration officer.
“We're very pleased with Jared's professional performance in the last seven months. He's a recently qualified surface warfare officer and a good officer of the deck who demonstrates a natural flair for shiphandling,” said Cmdr. Kevin Flanagan, Austin commanding officer.
The crew of Austin appreciates LoStracco's music, as well as his personality.
“Whether he's playing a guitar at wardroom functions, or hitting the beach for some liberty with other wardroom members, he's a good shipmate,” said Flanagan.
"Jared LoStracco represents the best of what independent music has to offer,” said Bowman. “Not only did he record an album while being an active-duty service member, he was also the fourth highest vote getter on the Mercora Radio Network's Performance Contest. Jared received over 200,000 votes from a worldwide listening audience. With hundreds of artists competing for those same votes, Jared proved that true talent always shines through.”
Because of that achievement, LoStracco will receive an additional honor at the 15th Annual LA Music Awards from executives at Mercora.
“I love to play. Music is just inside of me,” said LoStracco, who is eagerly awaiting his trip to Hollywood .
After the awards ceremony LoStracco will report to his next command, the USS Harry S. Truman.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/oct2005/pr103105a.html
USS Nassau Strike Group Public Affairs
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va., Oct. 31, 2005 — A junior officer attached to USS Austin has been selected to receive the award for “Country Single of the Year” for his song “Angel” Nov. 9 at the Los Angeles Music Awards.
Lt. j.g. Jared R. LoStracco, 25, from Nacogdoches, Texas, performed for servicemembers in May prior to a USO concert while his ship was moored at the U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay to support Operation New Horizon.
“The head of MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) for the base, Craig Basal, heard me play, thought it was good, and while we were there set up a night at the Officer's Club so I could play,” said LoStracco.
Al Bowman, the executive producer for the Los Angeles Music Awards, was at the ‘Gitmo' Officer's Club that night and heard LoStracco play. “He heard me play and asked me for a CD of my original work,” said LoStracco. Later that evening Bowman invited LoStracco to Hollywood to be presented with an award at the Los Angeles Music Awards.
The Los Angeles Music Awards were founded in 1991 by Bowman after nearly 10 years of successfully operating a small limousine and entertainment company that catered mostly to music industry professionals. Now in its 14th year, the organization is the longest running major awards show for independent artists in the country.
“I just booked my plane ticket and hotel stay at the Biltmore in Los Angeles where the awards show and after party will take place,” said LoStracco.
He plans to bring his best friend from high school as well as his booking agent to accompany him down the red carpet.
“I thought it (the show in ‘Gitmo') would go over really corny when my executive officer first asked me if I would play to kill time before the USO show,” said LoStracco, who knew the crowd was there to see country music singer Toby Keith.
LoStracco is still amazed that the approximately 450 servicemembers appreciated his music.
“It was really cool having that many people out there and they were all really supportive,” he said.
The captain and crew of Austin are excited about the success of their administration officer.
“We're very pleased with Jared's professional performance in the last seven months. He's a recently qualified surface warfare officer and a good officer of the deck who demonstrates a natural flair for shiphandling,” said Cmdr. Kevin Flanagan, Austin commanding officer.
The crew of Austin appreciates LoStracco's music, as well as his personality.
“Whether he's playing a guitar at wardroom functions, or hitting the beach for some liberty with other wardroom members, he's a good shipmate,” said Flanagan.
"Jared LoStracco represents the best of what independent music has to offer,” said Bowman. “Not only did he record an album while being an active-duty service member, he was also the fourth highest vote getter on the Mercora Radio Network's Performance Contest. Jared received over 200,000 votes from a worldwide listening audience. With hundreds of artists competing for those same votes, Jared proved that true talent always shines through.”
Because of that achievement, LoStracco will receive an additional honor at the 15th Annual LA Music Awards from executives at Mercora.
“I love to play. Music is just inside of me,” said LoStracco, who is eagerly awaiting his trip to Hollywood .
After the awards ceremony LoStracco will report to his next command, the USS Harry S. Truman.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/oct2005/pr103105a.html
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