GI Bill (Successful Stories

Homeland Chats with Country Artist and Former Secretary of State and Senator of Montana, Corey Stapleton.

Homeland: Describe your time in the Navy - how long did you serve and where were you deployed?

Corey Stapleton: I spent 11 years in the Navy.. initially enlisted into the Nuclear Power program, then served as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS Hue City (CG66), where I deployed mostly to the Mediterranean Sea.

Homeland: You’ve had quite a diverse career from attending the Academy, serving in the Navy, to Secretary of State and Senator of Montana, and now releasing music as a country artist, with your debut album Sea Change out March 1. Talk us through those transitions, what advice would you give to someone who is transitioning to civilian life?

Corey Stapleton: Actually, serving in elected office and serving in military uniform have a lot of similarities. Both are service to our country, under oath, and have an element of duty-before-self. I like the freedom of being able to lead in elective office better than the leadership meritocracy of the military--so that was an enjoyable transition for me.

Much of being a successful political officeholder is communicating. Especially if you’re trying to accomplish something new or difficult, it’s vital to be able to articulate your ideas to a broad array of entities--sometimes hostile entities. So you become good at simplifying your words, repeating your message, and smiling. Kind of like a songwriter!

My advice for someone transitioning out of the military back to civilian life is to use your discipline to your advantage (i.e. knowing how to work, showing up early, looking sharp, and assuming responsibility in any workplace you find yourself). Just have faith that the rest of society isn’t even close to where you are professionally. Get yourself a foothold financially, show your stuff, and then be prepared to seek promotion (inside or outside your organization) within 9-18 months. Take the risk! You’ll know what to do.

Homeland: Tell us about your path to Nashville. Why music? Have you always wanted to write songs? My advice for someone transitioning out of the military back to civilian life is to use your discipline to your advantage (i.e. knowing how to work, showing up early, looking sharp, and assuming responsibility in any workplace you find yourself). Just have faith that the rest of society isn’t even close to where you are professionally.

Corey Stapleton: Being an 80’s guy, it was easy to love music! I never had (or took) the opportunity to make music or have a band, as I was the main breadwinner of my family of four kids. It just didn’t seem to be an option. But early in the pandemic, I began to write music and flew to Nashville out of frustration---as I wasn’t having much success with being my own sound engineer on my laptop back home in Billings, Montana. The $400 plane ticket to Nashville was worth every penny, because it allowed me to record at a professional studio without me having to hassle with the editing. And that is when my songs became unleashed. They’ve always been in me, just never had the chance to come out before.

Homeland: How has your experience as a veteran influenced your music career and what you write about?

Corey Stapleton: Military veterans have a worldview and understand that the United States’ history and strength carries enormous pride and responsibilities. It’s hard, as a veteran, to unsee the things I’ve experienced. My songwriting tends to be truthtelling, passionate.

Homeland: Is writing therapeutic for you?

Corey Stapleton:

Very therapeutic. Writing/making music is part of my morning routine. Coffee, exercise, make a little music each day before I ‘start’ my day around 9:00am! Some days I write, some days I sing, some days I play (guitar) and some days I produce (edit) the music.

Homeland: “Kabul’s Fallen” is a hard-hitting take on Afghanistan, and an emotional topic for many veterans. Why did you feel the need to write this song?

Corey Stapleton: I was mortified at the way the United States handled Afghanistan, both the initial surrender to the Taliban in Aug 2020 and the airfield debacle the following year. We betrayed an entire generation of young Afghans who were raised in freedom, signed the death warrants of interpreters and allies that were left behind, and lost American lives in haste because of the incompetence of civilian leadership.

Homeland: What are you hoping that people take away from your debut album as a country artist?

Corey Stapleton: I hope my music evokes emotion, and people enjoy the talented musicians and beautiful melodies of my full-length album. My songs tend to be deep, with lots of layers, so hopefully discerning fans will listen over and over again and share my music with their friends and family!

Homeland: What is next for Corey Stapleton?

Corey Stapleton: I left office as Montana Secretary of State a little over a year ago, and deactivated my social media while I was writing my album Sea Change. Now that the album is completed, I’m feeling that familiar call of duty again, ringing in my ear! Stand by, over.

Follow along with Corey:

Instagram: @coreysongs Facebook: www.facebook.com/coreysongs Twitter: @Stapleton_MT Website: www.coreystapleton.com