Big Kenny plays for troops in Haiti

After suffering a personal loss, country star plays for troops in Haiti
By Seth Robson Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Sunday, March 7, 2010

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – When Big Kenny, half of the colorful country music duo Big & Rich, heard a friend was trapped beneath the rubble after last month’s earthquake in Haiti, he didn’t hesitate.

The man who co-wrote “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” flew to Port-au-Prince to search for his friend, renewable energy specialist Walt Rattman, in the ruins on the Hotel Montana. Sadly, Kenny’s friend didn’t make it, although his body was recovered from the rubble.

But rather than dwell on his loss Kenny, whose real name is William Alphin, set out to help the Haitian people and spent five days in the devastated capital distributing aid. When he traveled into a slum called Cité Soleil to buy food for hungry, elderly Haitians, he met soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division.

The country star was so moved by the U.S. military efforts to bring relief to the struggling nation that he decided to return to Haiti last Thursday and play a series of concerts for personnel that culminated in a performance for the 82nd on the waterfront at Port-au-Prince.

“I was blown away,” Kenny said of the soldiers’ relief work. “I’m so proud and my heart is just completely moved by the outpouring of hope and compassion. It’s been an amazing showing of the heart of the American armed forces.”
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