Jonesboro guitarist brings music to the military

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - One musician turns his love for the guitar into a full-time career.

A Jonesboro native moved away from Region 8 to play in the U.S. Army Band.

Growing up with a love for music, 22-year-old Nathan Yauger began playing guitar when he was 13. He said becoming a full-time musician has been his dream since childhood.

“I grew up playing in jazz bands, but whenever I got to college I quit,” Yauger said.

When he was 17, Yauger said he joined the National Guard to pay for college. Little did he know that five years later, he’d get to live out his dreams as a full-time musician in the U.S. Army. Yauger said he spent years booking gigs in Jonesboro, Little Rock, and even on Beale Street in Memphis.

“I love booking shows, but having a steady income as a musician is nothing short of a blessing,” Yauger said.

He said the U.S. Army Band has about 40 guitarists. Yauger said they all play in different locations in bands specializing in classic rock, jazz, contemporary, and more.

But Yauger said he gets to play what he is used to in prosperity and hospitality tours.

“I’m going to be in more jazz bands, country, pop, things like that,” Yauger said.

Leaving Jonesboro made Yauger emotional. However, he said he is eager to start his new music journey.

“I’ll be sad that it ended, but I’m going to be happy it happened,” Yauger said.

Yauger said there is no guarantee where he will be stationed. He said it will be in one of the 20 regional U.S. Army Bands across the world.

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