Navy members, families ready for Tim McGraw concert

MAYPORT, Fla. – Tim McGraw is set to perform a special concert at Naval Station Mayport on Sunday to help military members and their families celebrate Veterans Day.

Naval Station Mayport is one of three Navy bases in the Jacksonville area and home to nearly 5,000 uniformed service members, their families and 2,000 Department of Defense civilian employees.

Many of them are excited to see the country star in concert on their base.

"I think it's a great thing. It's a great thing for the sailors here on base. It's also great for the families," said Machinery Repairman Second Class Charles Ward.

"It means these people take time out of their schedules, too, and they aren't getting paid," Navy wife Brenda Friedlander said. "It means a lot to come say thank you."

Over his career, McGraw has sold more than 40 million albums, won three Grammys, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, 12 Country Music Association Awards and 10 American Music Awards, while simultaneously maintaining a parallel career as a successful actor.

"He's an American. It doesn't matter what type of money he makes or what he does for a living," Ward said. "He's an American just like me."

But it's more than just a free show. McGraw and partners are also giving a big gift to a military family: a home.

Since McGraw partnered with Chase and Operation Homefront more than a year ago for their HomeFront program. They have awarded more than 70 mortgage-free homes to wounded warriors and military members in need and will give another to a deserving family on Sunday.

With 1 million service members projected to transition out of the military by 2016, the HomeFront program helps returning veterans successfully transition back to civilian life and build a solid foundation for the future.

"Any famous person out there, whether it be a movie star or an entertainer to make time for the USS going overseas or here locally to recognize our sailors, Marines, airmen, it's wonderful," Command Master Chief Lee Friedlander said.

The concert "Chase Presents Live From The HomeFront: Tim McGraw" will broadcast live online on News4Jax.com.

Channel 4 will also broadcast a one-hour Veterans Day special previewing the concert from Naval Station Mayport from 6:30-7:30 that night.  You can watch Tim McGraw perform at 8:45 p.m. through a special link that will be posted on News4Jax.com.

For more information about the concert, click here.

Preps, behind the scenes at Mayport concert