by Amanda E.H. Pritchard

Laura Bryna has been surrounded by heroes and amazing experiences the past year and a half. In January of 2008 Bryna’s year started off with a proverbial bang as she was approached by Master Sergeant Bob Hall and retired Lieutenant Colonel Randy Johnson to represent the Air National Guard in an upcoming advertising campaign. Honored by this opportunity it was easy for Laura to show her excitement. Says Bryna, “That was such a compliment. I have such an appreciation for the military. To be an outsider looking in, they really allowed me to become a part of their family.”

After shooting the commercial for the Air National Guard, Laura took inspiration from the men and women she met during the filming and crafted her latest single, Hometown Heroes. “Doing the Hometown Heroes video was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! Real life heroes from every war surrounded me. It was absolutely incredible; I kept thinking ‘Hi, I’m little Laura’,” Bryna says with her charismatic laugh.

She may be little (Laura stands just 5’1”) but some of the most dynamic things come in small packages. Inspired and equipped with a new nickname, Little Thunder, Laura brought a new meaning to the term “Rocket Man” or in this case “Rocket Woman.” “I was literally sitting on a rocket (during the shooting of the Hometown Heroes video). We had a vertical takeoff. At 180 degrees you’re seeing the sky. It was stunning.”

Enamored by the Air National Guard experience Laura goes on to say, “I am so appreciative and honored to have had that opportunity. It was so wonderful to see them in action. This is truly what they love to do.” The Air National Guard is not an exclusive men’s club either as the women of the Air National Guard can attest to. “These women are amazing heroes who still love to put on their lip gloss and be women. They are on call 24/7. It was such a great experience for me to witness that.”

 Laura has used this opportunity to spread the news all over the United States. Representing the Air National Guard campaign Laura has made appearances at Air Force Bases across the country; she’s performed at the 2009 CMA Music Festival and has even kicked off a game for the 2009 Superbowl winners, the Pittsburgh Steelers, by serenading their own Hometown Heroes.

Now on a new mission, Bryna is taking a cue from, The King, Elvis Presley, by doing things her way. Bryna proudly states, “I’d rather fail at being myself than someone else. Before each performance I think about the audience “where we’re playing along with what the show is about and what we’re doing it for.” Bryna goes on to say, “Considering these things, I jot down notes on how I feel about a certain song, how it caters to the event. To me, this is how it becomes personal because each song is special and tells its own story.”

Right before a show Bryna likes her quiet time. “I like to be present in the moment. That’s where I get a lot of my best song ideas. As the curtains part and the lights hit the platform I yearn to get on that stage,” she says with a smile.

Not only does Bryna share such a close knit tie to her fans she also has some beloved creatures that truly warm her heart…her babies, three birds. “Tyler, Snuggles and Harmony are the cutest things,” says the proud momma. “Tyler will be ten next week! Snuggles celebrated a birthday in May and Harmony’s is in January. We finally found out Snuggles was a girl because she laid an egg this year.” It seems the birds have true affection for one another too, “Last week Harmony sneezed and Tyler said bless you.”  Tyler is an African Grey Parrot, “Snuggles” a Cockatoo and “Harmony” is a Senegal Parrot. “My fans are so fantastic, they always ask about them. It’s really neat how the fans respond to such a big part of my life.” When Bryna’s schedule is jam-packed and she’s on the road “Wonderful Helen” looks after Laura’s babies. “Helen is like a mom to them when I’m away. She’s just fantastic!”

Building momentum with little time for rest Bryna’s already in the process of working on her second album. “The sophomore album will be a bit more edgy. We’ve got lots of options but it’s about having fun and being a chick. I’m looking for whatever moves me…what I want to say… and also asking myself if the fans relate to this. It’s going to be a whole bunch of fun,” says Bryna who goes on to say, “I’m spending a lot of time out in Los Angeles. I recently signed with Innovative Artists because I love all forms of entertainment. Singing, acting, performing…I want to be involved in it all!”

Charmed with a fabulous life Bryna does not take for granted all the good things that have come her way. “I’m living the dream because of my fantastic fans. For me, it’s really about living life to the fullest. Being healthy and happy and always trying to being creative and live in the moment. I am so lucky and blessed to have people that support me.”

Not only does Bryna have her own support system in place, but she also provides an excellent source of support through her music. “We went to the Walter Reid Army Medical Center earlier this year. All these amazing heroes were thanking me for the song they loved. It makes you cry. I had a few different people tell me that they can’t wait to get back to their unit to tell the guys.

The Air National Guard and other arms of the military really protect our right to be free.” Bryna goes on to say with deep respect, “I can’t wait to go over to the Middle East to bring a piece of home to the men and women there. We all need to know what they do. They are remarkable human beings.”

Recently Bryna has accepted the honor of becoming the National Spokesperson for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. The program, put in place in 1993, is dedicated to focusing on education and practical lifestyle skills and geared to helping former students chart a better life path for themselves. Bryna says, “This program gives high school drop outs a second chance at life which includes learning the military lifestyle.

The program has an unbelievable success rate and you really see that it works. The program allows teens ages 16 to 18 to excel by taking advantage of all the benefits it has to offer like winning scholarships or specializing in professions such as culinary or cosmetology. It really gives them a chance. With programs in 28 states, this year alone we’ll see 50,000 students graduate.”

Another project close to Bryna’s heart is getting a second chance to make a first impression with Laura’s first album (in stores now) Trying To Be Me. Set for European distribution later this year Laura is thrilled to bring her music and patriotism to all of her fans. By taking her music and message global Bryna says with great joy, “I’m SO excited to meet all my fans over there. It’s so neat to bring the music to them!”

Whether she’s devoting time to the “Make-A-Wish” Foundation, pursuing hosting opportunities in Los Angeles or spending time with her babies in the comforts of her own home, Laura Bryna revels in the opportunities heading her way. But true to her own heart, Bryna continues to sing praises to the guys and gals who love her and her music. “I just have to give thanks to all of my fantastic fans who allow me to live the dream every day.”

However you know her, Laura Bryna, Little Laura or Little Thunder, you can believe that she’s having the best time of her life right now. Summing it all up quite perfectly with the words in one of Laura’s hit songs “everything feels like it should, life is good!”