MUSIC WITH A MISSION
Major H.G. Duncan of the United States Marine Corps once defined a grunt as, "a term of affection used to denote that filthy, sweaty, dirt-encrusted, footsore, camouflage-painted, tired, sleepy, beautiful little son of a b*tch who has kept the wolf away from the door for over two hundred years.” A term commonly used in refereeing to the infantry.
As a Marine Infantry Officer, Mike Corrado knows what it’s like to put in the work. So as a Marine and musician, the name Grunt Tunes only made sense. "At first, I created the company to release my own material. With over 20 years of recording in numerous studios big and small, I wanted to share that experience in helping fellow service members and singer-songwriters write, record and release their music with uncompromising quality to be able to tell their stories" Corrado says. He believes in working hard, investing the time and rolling up his sleeves to to accomplish the mission and deliver for his clients and teammates.
Service, Music, Passion. Mike understands service, sacrifice and crafting songs with a purpose. As a singer-songwriter and active duty U.S. Marine he started out performing as a solo artist when he was first stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Living on the beaches in Eastern, NC, Mike began playing beach bars up and down the coast. After five years in the Marines, Mike left to pursue music full time but not the last he’d see of the Corps.
Mike soon had a band and was traveling the Eastern seaboard playing dive bars, menu-venues and opening up for national acts such as Edwin McCain, Train, Hootie & the Blowfish, Derek Trucks Band and more. Releasing two EPs, a studio album and a live album, Mike was on the verge of his fifth release when the attacks of September 11th occurred. The events of that day changed touring plans and soon after, Mike returned to active duty. Mike continued to write, record and perform when able to include during a year long deployment to Fallujah Iraq in 2005.
Upon return, Mike signed his first publishing deal and soon after, was featured in Rolling Stone in February 2008. That same year, Mike released his album “Start Saving Me” filled with songs he started writing in Iraq. In 2009, while stationed in, Hawaii, he was asked to open up for the Black Eyed Peas. A few months later, Corrado recorded a four song EP titled “Stand.” He shot the video for the single “Stand” at Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii which later aired on CMT and other video outlets. Interviews on CNN and other print/TV and radio followed as well as an opening spot for Bon Jovi in Hawaii for the kick off to the “The Circle” world tour.
From Hawaii, Mike was transferred to Quantico, VA where he served as the Executive Officer for the Marine Corps’ Wounded Warrior Regiment. It was there Mike got the inspiration to write “Still in the Fight” an anthem for recovering service members and the struggles they face in recovery. The music video was shot in and around Greenville, South Carolina at a studio owned by friend and multi-platinum artist Edwin McCain. The video featured several Marine wounded warriors Mike served with including Cpl William Kyle Carpenter who later received the Medal of Honor, MSgt William “Spanky” Gibson and Cpl Aaron Mankin who served with Mike in Iraq and took the photo used in the Rolling Stone feature. The video was aired on Great American Country and Armed Forces TV.
In 2013, Mike headed to Nashville to record his EP “What You Work For.” Shortly after he was chosen by the Marine Corps, Department of Defense and Dick Clark Productions to represent the Marine Corps at the Academy of Country Music: All Star Salute to the Troops where he performed on National TV along side Toby Keith for his song “Call A Marine.” Later that summer Mike Joined Toby during his tour for a repeat performance at an amphitheater in St Louis.
In 2014, Mike was featured in Taylor Guitar’s national advertisement campaign “Step Forward: Music is Waiting” for his songwriting and music therapy work with wounded warriors.
Mike Corrado retired from active duty and dedicates his time with Grunt Tunes, a music production studio to help out other service members write, record and release music. Grunt Tunes is networked with other studios in MD, Nashville, NC and Los Angeles and a host of musicians to help his clients find the sound they are looking for. For more, please visit Grunt Tunes.
For more on Mike’s story, music videos and events please visit https://www.mikecorrado.com