Twitter
Facebook
***image1***It’s a bit of a strange marriage – creative, innovative musicians meet
the rules and order of the military. But for more than 50 years, the
U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band – a 60 member unit – has made this union
work.
Somehow, they’ve taken the individualistic heart of a musician and
merged it with the ceremony of the military, said Maj. Scott Guidry,
USAFE Band music director, “and it’s an interesting combination.”
Within the USAFE Band there are two rock bands, one Dixieland band, two
woodwind quintets, and the Check Six jazz band. All together, they form
a concert band.
This summer, the band has cleared a few weekend days for a summer
series of concerts in Donnelly Park. The next concert is July 21
featuring Touch ‘N Go and promises, “a rockin’ good time,” said Master
Sgt. Jon Levy, on base guitar.
***image2***Touch ‘N Go is a little bit country, a little bit blues and and a
little bit rock and roll. They rehearse about four times a week in the
Glenn Miller Hall at Sembach.
During a recent Touch ‘N Go rehearsal, the six member band played a few
of the tunes they’ll perform next weekend. “Lets start with something
pretty,” drummer Tech. Sgt. Tom Shriver said then they belted out
Gretchen Wilson’s
“All Jacked Up” to set the mood.
“Everybody in the band generates ideas based on ability, audience and
what the band wants to play,” Sergeant Levy said about the band’s
75-song play list.
True, the making of the band is less organic than garage bands that
form out of friendship and fondness for the same sounds. These USAFE
Band members come from all musical backgrounds – some trained in
musical conservatories, others cutting their teeth playing in local
bars. Nearly all of them auditioned straight into the military band
career field, with only about 10 percent already in the military.
“This is our career field,” said Staff Sgt. Keisha Gwin-Goodin, singer
in Touch N’ Go. “It’s an awesome job.” She’s been in the band for five
years.
***image3***Sergeant Shriver saw an ad in a trade magazine. For a working musician,
unsure of when the next gig was coming, the steady work was enticing.
“It’s one place where supply doesn’t outweigh demand,” he said. “The military was looking for musicians.”
Life for a military musician can be just as hectic and fast-paced as
any working performer. They travel around Europe, perform at stand-up
ceremonies and get last-minute bookings for special military functions.
They are their own roadies, managers and logistics planners moving and
hauling thousands of pounds of equipment for more than 400 shows a
year. And that’s the thing about being in the USAFE Band, they’re
working while everyone else is on vacation. Over the July 4 holiday,
for example, Touch ‘N Go was entertaining troops near Spangdahlem.
“Anytime we play in front of deployed troops, that’s the heart of why
we exist,” Major Guidry said. “It’s more than work for these
folks, it’s a vocation.”
Like all musicians, they just want to play, get their music out there.
They are community ambassadors, playing shows and ceremonies throughout
Europe, including shows this summer in Kaiserslautern celebrating the
World Cup, Major Guidry said.
“Sometimes the chemistry just comes together,” Major Guidry said.
“There’s a magic. It happened the other night when Touch ‘N Go
performed at World Cup Mile – the place was going nuts.”
Touch ‘N Go learned at least a half dozen football fan favorites, including Queen’s “We are the Champions.”
“That was a slammin’ show,” said Staff Sgt. Geoff Fisher, singer in Touch ‘N Go. “The audience was fantastic.”
2006 Summer Concert Series, 6 p.m. July 21, Donnelly Park
•McGruff the Crime Dog
•Free food
•Sparky the Dog & his fire truck
•DV tent available
•Bring blankets and lawn chairs
Coming up:
•Aug. 10, Direct Hit and Barnstormers, featuring several USAFE Idol contestants.
•Sept. 8, series finale, kicks off the 60th anniversary of Air Force celebrations.
