Keni Thomas

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Keni Thomas

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Img_capt = Keni Thomas in 2006
Img_size = 200
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Born =
Origin = Columbus, Georgia, USA
Instrument = Vocals
Genre = Country
Occupation = singer-songwriter
Years_active = 1996-present
Label = Moraine
Associated_acts = BlackHawk Vince Gill Emmylou Harris

Keni Thomas is an American country music singer from Columbus, Georgia, United States. After graduating from college, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving the armed forces throughout the 1990s until leaving active duty. In addition to recording an independently-released album and charting two singles on the "Billboard" country music charts, he serves as a motivational speaker.

Military career

Thomas enlisted in the Army in 1991. Prior to joining the Army he attended the University of Florida. [ [http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060114/LOCAL/201140313/1078/news From Somalia to country star: UF grad's story | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, FL ] ] He served as a Ranger in the 75th Ranger Regiment, eventually attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Thomas was a member of Task Force Ranger as a part of Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. A main objective of the Task Force was to capture the elusive Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. One such mission occurred October 3, 1993, when Thomas and fellow Task Force members were involved in the Battle of Mogadishu that was later immortalized in the book and movie Black Hawk Down, for which he was a consultant. He also served as a consultant for the Mel Gibson film We Were Soldiers. After Somalia, Thomas went on to serve as an assistant team leader on Ranger recon teams. His military decorations and achievements include the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge, as well as successful completion of the Special Forces Combat Diver course and the Belgium Commando course.

Youth counselor and speaker

Upon leaving active duty service, Thomas worked as a youth counselor. He also became a speaker, giving presentations to various audiences across the United States.

Musical career

Thomas soon formed the band Cornbread and began his career in music by performing with the band in and around Columbus, Georgia. After several album releases, Thomas and Cornbread released the album "Flags of Our Fathers", with the artist listed as Keni Thomas. Thomas donates some of the proceeds to the Hero Fund, which directs those funds to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, an organization created to provide college scholarships and financial aid to the children of fallen Special Operations soldiers.

Discography

As Keni Thomas

*2003 - "Hero Fund".
*2004 - "Flags of Our Fathers: A Soldier's Story"
*2008 - "Gunslinger"

As Cornbread

*1996 - "Following Ceres".
*1998 - "Headspace and Timing".
*2000 - "No Place Like Home".

ingles

External links and sources

* [http://www.kenithomas.com Official Keni Thomas website]
* [http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060114/LOCAL/201140313/1078/news Somalia to country star: UF grad's story]
* [http://www.premierespeakers.com/2161/index.cfm Keni Thomas biography at Premiere Speakers Bureau]
* [http://www.sptimes.com/2003/05/17/Hillsborough/For_the_love_of_heroes.shtml St. Petersburg Times article on Keni Thomas]
* [http://www.playgroundsmag.com/122007playgroundsall.pdf December 2007 edition of Playgrounds Magazine, featuring an interview with Keni Thomas]
* [http://www.specialops.org Special Operations Warrior Foundation]

References