At a time when most artists are coming in off the road to trim the tree with their families, singer/songwriter Keni Thomas is on the other side of the world entertaining troops. Thomas is overseas on the 2008 Hope and Freedom USO Tour, spreading joy and sharing music from his new CD, 'Gunslinger.'

Thomas himself is a former Army Ranger who fought in the battle in Mogadishu that inspired the film 'Black Hawk Down.' This is the fourth year he's spent the holidays entertaining troops.

"It's the best tour you'll ever do as an artist, whether you are prior military or not, because you'll never find an audience who are more grateful and more appreciative," he tells The Boot. "They get so excited that somebody came and reminded them that America still cares, because they've been over there for seven years now ... It's good for them and it's good for us because it's the one place you feel absolutely purposeful as a musician."

Since leaving Army life behind, Thomas has toured extensively with his band Cornbread, and released two albums -- 2005's critically acclaimed 'Flags of Our Fathers' and 'Gunslinger,' released last month via Thomas' own label, RBM Records.

Thomas doesn't regret leaving military life behind to pursue his musical dreams. He feels he's right where he's supposed to be, and he's enjoying every minute of it. Besides, he can still catch up with old friends on the USO tour.

"They'll come over and shake my hand and thank me for my service," Thomas says of troops in the audience. "They're very proud of me, but it's weird because they'll look at you like someone who got out and did something great. All my friends that are still in [the military] tell me, 'We're so proud of you because it would have been easy for you to stay in. Nobody gets out and starts a band.'"

This year's Hope and Freedom tour will visit three countries in nine days and also includes Craig Morgan and Mark Wills, among others.

Thomas is also serving up a little gift to fans stateside with a free download of a poignant new Christmas song, 'The Bugler,' available on his website: www.KeniThomas.com.

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