A former Army sergeant discharged with PTSD after serving in Afghanistan has won Best Original Song at the coveted Primal Live song contest in Leeds. Michael Pipe aka ‘Mountain Man‘ blew the audience and judges away with Putting My Beret Away — a deeply personal song about his struggle after leaving the military.
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Originally from Leicester and now living in Catterick Garrison, the 38-year-old is rapidly becoming one of UK country music’s most exciting rising stars. His honest country music and powerful lyrics are attracting major attention, including interest from Nashville, and he recently came sixth out of 12,000 musicians after applying for Channel 4’s Your Song.
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On Sunday 12th April, Mountain Man won Best Original Song at Primal Live song contest in Leeds — a charity song contest that raised over £1,000 for homeless and addiction charity, St George’s Crypt. Putting My Beret Away is not only an emphatic country hit, it is also a profound account of the struggles he has faced.
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Michael’s love of country began as a child, when he’d spend hours watching Western movies with his grandfather. This love of country was rekindled after joining the army, when placements in Alberta, Canada, re-united him with the music — little did he know, this relationship with country music would go on to save his life.
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Michael explains: “I served for 15 years and was an anti-tank troop sergeant in Afghanistan, in charge of 16 personnel. I witnessed unimaginable things during my very active tour — things that scar for life. Things I cannot go into detail about. I was eventually discharged in 2023 after developing severe PTSD and went down a dark path.”
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After leaving the Army, Michael spent time in a psychiatric ward that he describes as being ‘more like an open prison’ and struggled with basic day-to-day tasks. He pushed his family and friends away and felt like there was no hope of coming out and living any kind of normal life again — constantly haunted by the things he had witnessed on the battlefield. Until something amazing happened.
He explains: “A therapist asked what I liked and I told her painting and country music. She encouraged me to write down my feelings and those words soon became country songs. I penned two songs, Putting My Beret Away and Country And Hugs, that have since become my first two releases. Writing and singing became a release and it has helped me feel better every time I performed.”
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His two released tracks, Putting My Beret Away and Country And Hugs, were recorded in his kitchen. He now has another 12 songs ready to release, including Ride Or Die, written about his wife, who has stood by him when he was at his lowest and continues to do so today. Now attracting attention from Nashville, Mountain Man is also set to support US country star Shelly Fairchild at a gig in Glasgow in August.
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Michael summarises: “It’s been a gruelling journey trying to bounce back from everything that happened in Afghanistan and the PTSD that has haunted me since. I never realised that the simple task of writing down my feelings would lead to country music and would ultimately be the thing that saved me. I still suffer but spend all my time working and performing, so it keeps my mind busy.”
He continued: “It’s been crazy appearing on Channel 4, winning Primal Live and now getting attention from Nashville, as well as a big support gig with Shelly Fairchild. I’m so grateful for my wife and family who have stuck by me through everything, even when I pushed them away, so everything I do is for them. I’m excited to see where the future leads but most importantly, country music is the reason for where I am now.”
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A former Army sergeant discharged with PTSD after serving in Afghanistan has won Best Original Song at the coveted Primal Live song contest in Leeds. Michael Pipe aka ‘Mountain Man‘ blew the audience and judges away with Putting My Beret Away — a deeply personal song about his struggle after leaving the military.
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For more info on Primal Live visit the WEBSITE
