1st Lt. Eboni Sherrer displays her prize for winning first place in the Operation Rising Star singing competition. Fellow contestants Spc. Candace Heishman -left- and Sgt. Sherri Burch -right- show their support for the winner. Released photograph by U.S. Army Specialist John A Montoya

Camp Bondsteel has wrapped up its Operation Rising Star competition and chosen the soldier who will represent Kosovo Forces 14 in the main competition in the U.S. 1st Lt. Eboni Sherrer, an intelligence officer with the 221st Military Intelligence Company based in Fort Gillam, Ga., won over Bondsteel by singing hits like “At Last” by Etta James and Tina Turner’s version of “Proud Mary.”

Since the competition began in early August the soldiers on Bondsteel had the opportunity to watch it live and vote for their favorite singer to represent them in the main competition held in the U.S. in October. The competition began with eight vocalists and Sherrer was chosen after several rounds of voting. Each round had the singers perform different musical genres such as country, oldies, Broadway and classic rock.

Sherrer said the most difficult part of the competition was choosing songs in genres she was not familiar with. She said, “Anything gospel or soul, Christian music or anything on the contemporary side I’m comfortable with. When we got to the week where we had to sing a country song, I had no idea. ‘What do I sing?’”

As well as learning new genres of music, Sherrer was able to make new friends through the competition. Many times deployed soldiers may only spend time with soldiers in their individual sections, but this competition gave the contestants a chance to mingle over shared interests. “It gave me the opportunity to know some of the people from other sections and it broadened my friendship spectrum,” said Sherrer.

Another unique part of this competition is the fact that Bondsteel is the only deployed environment where soldiers compete in Operation Rising Star. That can add another layer of difficulty in two different ways. First, the soldiers must perform their duties above all else to keep the mission going, and second, they now compete against soldiers and their families in garrison.

“The things you want, you make time for,” said Sherrer. “Yes I’ve lost some sleep, because I still have to work. I still have tasks and things I have to complete and it’s always mission first.”

Renee Favors, the Moral, Welfare and Recreation program specialist for Camp Bondsteel, said, “It’s difficult when you’re in a deployed area. Garrison is so much easier, because you have so many more people to pull from, plus you also have family members and such in garrison, whereas we just have our soldiers here.”

In addition to winning the competition Sherrer also won a $500 gift card to the Post Exchange. The runner up, Sgt. Mario Montoya, won a $250 gift card and the third place contest, Capt. Kellie Whittlinger, won a $100 gift card.

Even though the competition is complete on Bondsteel, the excitement and anticipation is only beginning for Sherrer. If the past is any indication of the future, Sherrer has a lot to look forward to. Previous contestants who’ve won at the Bondsteel competition have also done well in the U.S.

“The last two years we’ve actually gotten to the first round in D.C., so we’re hoping for a third year. The third time’s the charm,” said Favors.

Although hopes are high, the rest of the competition is still very daunting for Sherrer. Favors and Sherrer are submitting a video package to the judges in D.C. which highlights Sherrer’s singing abilities. But for the one video Bondsteel sends to the capitol, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of submissions from service members and their families worldwide. After the judges go through all the videos only 12 contestants are chosen for the next phase of the competition, said Favors.

Despite the odds Sherrer holds out hope for a chance to represent Kosovo Forces 14. “Me personally, I believe in prayer, and I’m going to pray over my envelope, cover it with a special blessing and make sure when they open it, it has that special glow that comes from within,” said Sherrer.

Although she is a natural singer, Sherrer wouldn’t have signed up for the contest without being persuaded by her fellow contestant Sgt. Sherry Burch, who brought her the application. “I’m thankful for Sergeant Burch, because she’s the one who said, ‘Hey ma’am! You should do this!’,” said Sherrer. “Without someone like her, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

Even with the joy of her personal triumph, Sherrer has a lot of respect for her fellow singers and she gained some deep and meaningful friendships with the other soldiers in the competition.

“It’s not easy, whether you have a great voice or a not so great voice, the courage to stand before people is worthy of an applause,” said Sherrer.

With the Bondsteel competition behind her all she can do is wait until the 12 contestants are chosen from the different worldwide contests on Oct. 13. The winner of the entire 2011 Operation Rising Star wins a trip to Los Angeles, where they record a three track demo compact disc. The trip also includes air fare, lodging, $1,000 spending money and three days and nights of studio time with the support of top-rate musicians and recording technicians.

Story by Spc. John Montoya
DVIDS

Click on the above image to see Dunson’s website.

Soulja Boy Tell’em made a song Dissing the U.S. Army can you believe that. What an ungrateful little fucker.. This is my response…

Sgt Dunson is a Combat Veteran Of The U.S. Army that has incorporated his experiences in the military into music. His first album “Soldier Music,” set him from just being called an average rapper with songs like “If I Don’t Make It Home.” A song letter written from Iraq to his family and friends talking to them about his last wishes if he wasn’t to make it back home from war. Other songs like “Over There” and ” My 1st Kill” where he tells in detail about the first time he had to kill someone at war. Sgt Dunsons’ music shows a lot of emotions, it shows us the good, the bad and the ugly side of what it is like to be a Soldier. He even takes us on some of the missions he had to complete while in Iraq with songs like “A RAID TONIGHT” off his second music album entitled “TO HELL AND BACK.” Sgt Dunson is currently out of the military and pursuing his dream as a recording artist.

Lt. Col. Dwayne Hall and his daughter, Madison

For one Air Force Global Strike Command officer and his daughter, singing is in the genes.

Lt. Col. Dwayne Hall and his teenage daughter, Madison, recently won first place in the family category of the Air Force’s Family and Teen Talent Contest. The pair earned a spot in the Air Force-level competition after placing first at their local “You Got Talent” competition, held at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

Madison, who has received numerous musical academic scholarships, also took third place in the teen solo category singing “Blessed” by Rachel Lampa.

Colonel Hall said people are usually surprised to learn he has a hidden talent for singing. “Usually people say they didn’t expect that…I guess I am the Susan Boyle of the Air Force,” he said.

“We are a very musical family. Growing up, my mother played piano, my brother played the saxophone and I played the trumpet. We also sang on a local radio show where we grew up,” Colonel Hall said. “Music is a big part of our lives and that value has been passed down to my daughter,” he said. Colonel Hall is chief of lessons learned division at Global Strike Command here.

Madison has been a rising singing star since a young age. During high school, she was chosen to take part in the honors choir of the annual DoDDS-Europe Honors Music Festival, a highly competitive Department of Defense initiative for musically talented youth.

“Looking back at all the Air Force competitions I’ve participated in, they were all special in their own way and made me comfortable performing in front of audiences,” Madison said.

For the first-place win, Colonel Hall and his daughter sang the ballad “Can I Have This Dance” from the popular High School Musical film.

The Colonel’s singing talent has been employed on and off duty as he sings in the church choir, in addition to performing at weddings and official Air Force events.

When co-workers do find out about Colonel Hall’s singing ability, he said they are supportive, attending his competitions and cheering him on.

In addition to the Incirlik competition, Colonel Hall and his daughter participated in other Air Force talent challenges at Offutt AFB, Neb., and Peterson AFB, Colo.

by Maja Z. Stevanovich
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

Army Staff Sgt. Jennifer Kohany sings the national anthem at the retirement ceremony for Brig. Gen. Ronald Morrow, deputy commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, in Springfield, Ill., Jan. 22, 2011. U.S Army photo by Sgt. James Sims

The little girl climbed the stairs to her room and shut the door. The world faded away as she grabbed her hairbrush and took the stage before an imaginary audience of thousands of screaming fans.

For as long as she can remember, Army Staff Sgt. Jennifer Kohany of Chicago, an Illinois National Guard intelligence analyst with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 33rd Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign, has been singing in front of the mirror in her room as she did growing up in Valhalla, N.Y., or in a stadium filled with thousands of people before various military functions and sporting events.

“I can’t remember not hearing Jenny sing,” said Debbie Kohany of Oak Lawn, Ill., the soldier’s mother. “She was in chorus from first grade all the way through graduation of high school. I would so love hearing her sing at home when she was in her room, whether it was opera, country or rock. When Jen sings, her face lights up and her eyes sparkle. You can see how much she loves to sing.”

Kohany continued her passion while attending Columbia College in Chicago.

“In college I was involved with Columbia College’s chorus, and considered a major in vocal performance, but decided instead to major in American sign -language interpretation,” she said.

When Kohany was in basic training, one of her drill sergeants emphasized the importance of being aware of U.S. military history, in addition to learning basic warrior skills. She was randomly chosen and asked if she knew the national anthem, she said, and having grown up in a patriotic family, she did.

Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the British attack on U.S. forces at Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812.

“They called me to the front of the ‘war room’ and called everyone to attention while I sang,” Kohany said. “The drill sergeants stood there in shock that not only did I know the words, but I actually knew how to sing, as well.”

Since then, fellow soldiers have asked her to sing at various events.

Kohany was part of the Illinois Army National Guard’s largest call-up since World War II and deployed to Afghanistan with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2008. During her deployment, a contest called Phoenix Idol showcased the talent of soldiers serving in Task Force Phoenix.

“A good friend of mine, Staff Sergeant Adam Gordon, was the emcee of Phoenix Idol and asked if I would come out on New Year’s Eve and participate,” Kohany said. “I obliged, with no intention of entering the competition, because I had a pretty hectic schedule and didn’t really have the time to learn and practice music for each week’s category.”

Kohany did not win the contest, but was noticed by several soldiers on Camp Phoenix. She was introduced to Tom Negovan, a WGN reporter from Chicago, while he was visiting Camp Phoenix to do a three-part series on Afghanistan, she said.

“[Negovan] interviewed me, and asked if I would have any interest in singing at a Cubs game when I returned back to the states,” Kohany said. “Sure enough, we stayed in touch, and as soon as I had a number to call, I was receiving a call from a Cubs publicist, asking if I’d be available to sing for the opening.”

Though she grew up as a Yankees fan, Kohany said, she also likes the Chicago Cubs. Singing in front of 40,000 people, with her friends and family present, was amazing, she added.

“Listening to someone who has given their blood, sweat and tears for this country and then so passionately sings our national anthem gives me chills every time,” said Army Staff Sgt. John Robinson of Champaign, who served with Kohany as a chaplain’s assistant in Afghanistan. “I believe every time someone like Jen sings it, she does it as an honor to our nation and for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Her most meaningful performance came in June 2005, though not on the happiest note, Kohany said.

“My mom had been engaged to one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met, Eamonn,” she said. “They had put off getting married while I was in college, but because of the closeness of our relationship, I referred to him as my stepdad. My mom manages a small Irish bar on the south side of Chicago. Every so often, I would stop in on a Friday night when Eamonn could persuade me to sing on karaoke night. He was really the only person who could charm me into singing there, and always asked me to sing ‘Angel’ by Sarah McLaughlin; both mine and his favorite song.”

That January, a friend of Eamonn’s died, and he asked Kohany to sing a couple of songs at the wake. After the church ceremony, someone approached Eamonn and complimented the voice of his “daughter.”

“He acknowledged his pride, and it was one of the prouder moments in my own life,” Kohany said. “Little did I know that only six months later, Eamonn would pass away, while at work, at 1 o’clock in the morning.

“It was one of the hardest things that I’ve ever had to do,” she continued, “but I knew it would mean the world to my mom and family. So at his memorial ceremony, I sang ‘Angel.’ That certainly wasn’t my favorite performance, but it was the most monumental. It was hard, and I knew that if I could get through the song that I could do nearly anything, and I know that he would’ve been proud.”

Kohany said her mother has encouraged her to pursue a career in singing, but that she sings for the love of singing, not the love of fame.

“I do it because I enjoy it, not because I’m trying to get discovered or anything like that,” she said. “Since high school, she has urged me to pursue a singing career, but I’ve found my niche with the military, and I’m pretty happy with that.”

By Army Sgt. James Sims
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Department of Defense

A tuba, two trumpets, a trombone, and a French horn are all it took for five soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division Band to speak to 25 Iraqi music students, with the Peace Through Arts program, at the United States Embassy.

A tuba, two trumpets, a trombone, and a French horn are all it took for five soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division Band to speak to 25 Iraqi music students, with the Peace Through Arts program, at the United States Embassy.

The students sat on the edge of their seats holding their instruments and mimicking the soldiers’ movements as they played. They listened intently, learning from every note produced by the instruments of the Cantigny Brass Quintet.

Once the quintet finished playing music that ranged from classical to movie themes, they gave one-on-one classes to the students to improve their playing skills.

The band members showed the students breathing techniques and proper hand placement on their instruments to play louder and longer.

“We showed them classical music, American marches and rock ‘n’ roll,” said Chief Warrant Officer Jeremiah Keillor, a native of Los Fresnos, Texas, 1st ID band commander and band master.

He said that the student’s musical skills are based on a good foundation. They only needed to hear the songs and they could play them back.

Mohammed Saad, one of the students from Baghdad, said they will benefit from the band member’s experience to help them be better musicians.

This is the first time a musical exchange between soldiers and young Iraqis has happened at the Embassy.

“I’m able to get a point across and communicate through the music,” said Sgt. Matthew Johnston, a native of Ellicott City, Md., and a trombonist with the band.

“We did some of the Iraqi folk songs together,” said Johnston. “We were able to produce music together for their enjoyment and ours.”

“Hopefully the students will take this experience and see that the band is made up of not just soldiers, but musicians too,” said Keillor. “We’re like them. We can play the same music, we can open the same book, we can read it side-by-side,” he said.

Ambassador James F. Jeffrey, United States Ambassador to Iraq said although the students associate soldiers with Humvees and protecting them against terrorists, it’s great to see the soldiers share with them their love of culture and music.

“We’re really proud of these soldiers from the Big Red One, and proud of their cooperation with these young Iraqis,” he said.

“By working with the children, we are able to collaborate and share a piece of their culture as well ours,” said Johnston.

The soldiers from the quintet will continue to reach out to the Iraqi students. The band has invited them to Contingency Operating Base Basra to play together again and to continue to develop a bond based on the language of music.

“It’s all about small steps,” said Keillor. “Hopefully it will shape the lives of the 25 kids that were here today.”

DVIDS
Story by Spc. Joseph Vine

Hammer of the Broads performed for service members at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Sept. 8. Hammer of the Broads is an all-female tribute band to Led Zeppelin, playing songs such as 'Highway to Heaven' and 'Heartbreaker.' Photo by Spc. Ry Norris

Hammer of the Broads, an all-female tribute to Led Zeppelin, sent a special message to the troops of Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, hours before they performed at the Main Gym, Sept. 8.

“Take care of yourself, get the job done, and come back safe,” said Dyna Shirasaki, the lead singer who emulates Zeppelin’s singer, Plant.

Dyna Shirasaki, with Hammer of the Broads, performs at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Sept. 8. Hammer of the Broads is an all-female tribute band to Led Zeppelin. Photo by Spc. Ry Norris

The Los Angeles based group began the second stop of their tour with a meet and greet at the Division Main Headquarters, where they remembered some of their fans.

“We meet a lot of soldiers that have seen us in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Iraq,” said Tina Wood, or “Page.” “It’s such a trip!”

This is not the group’s first time in Iraq. All four musicians were here earlier in the year as the band known as Thund ‘Her’ Struck, a tribute to AC/DC. Nikki Lane Taylor (Bonham), who is not originally part of Thund ‘Her’ Struck, filled in as drummer for that tour.

The crew’s motto, when playing AC/DC, is “Let there be rock.” That motto resonated through the Led Zeppelin-fan-filled gymnasium as the first note struck a chord. The crowd rocked to hits like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Heartbreaker.”

“Led Zeppelin is the best rock and roll band ever,” said Maj. Jim Riely, a G-5 planner with the Division Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. “They have a song for every mood and every occasion.”

The crowd filled the stadium, including some who counted down the days until the concert.

“When I heard they were coming and I was working security, I was stoked about it,” said Sgt. Jason Keller, a squad leader with the 108th Military Police Company.

The group encouraged the crowd to let loose and sing. Soldiers ran on stage to play air guitars alongside the rockers. A fan presented the bassist, Andrea Zermeno, with a large pair of men’s drawers with “I (heart) U, P.S. these are brand new” across the back, in tan camouflage of course.

Andrea Zermeno, the bassist for Hammer of the Broads, shows off a new pair of men's drawers with 'I (heart) U, P.S. these are brand new' across the back, at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Sept. 8. A soldier gave the gift during the concert where the band paid tribute to Led Zeppelin. Photo by Spc. Ry Norris

“It was absolutely fantastic!” said Rob Gutkowski, a counter-improvised explosive device section personnel. “These guys are so good that they are worth going to see. We’re fortunate to get it for free.”

The road leading to this tour was a long one. The band formed late last year after Moby Chick, another tribute Led Zeppelin band, disbanded. Practice came about once a month, when the musicians had spare time from their full-time jobs. Schedules were cleared so they could perform for the troops.

“For as much as these guys come here and sacrifice, it’s the least we can do,” said Shirasaki.

“There were these firefighters who just recently lost one of their guys,” said Wood of a previous tour. “They told us ‘We were having such a hard time with it and the fact that you girls came out here lifted our spirits.”

While the troops and those in attendance enjoyed more than an hour of Led Zeppelin music, the artists received something in return: gratitude.

“All the fatigue and aches, you forget about all that when you realize what you’re doing,” said Wood.

“It’s hard to realize that for someone like me, who’s a total goofball, can make a difference [especially] when I hear ‘I forgot about where I was for a little bit,’” a misty-eyed Zermeno said.

“That is the greatest compliment of all,” Nikki finished.

DVIDS
Story by Spc. Ry Norris

Petty Officer 2nd Class Kori Gillis, a musician, sings lead vocals for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe rock band ‘Flag Ship’, during a free concert for the local community at Gorsad Garden, during exercises Sea Breeze 2010. Sea Breeze is the largest exercise this year in the Black Sea including 25 ships, 13 aircraft and more than 1,600 military members from Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Moldova, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and United States. Photo by Lt.j.g. Gary Keen

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe rock band ‘Flag Ship’ performed a free concert for the local Odessa community at Gorsad Garden, Odessa, July 22 during exercises Sea Breeze 2010.

The concert was part of a community relations project designed to share some of the American culture with local community.

“We come out to support the Navy’s positive image and share the American culture with the Ukrainian people,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian Wirt, a musician, lead guitarist and leading petty officer. “Sea Breeze is wrapping up and we want the Ukrainian people to learn a little more about Americans than what they see on T.V. and read on the Internet.”

Flag Ship performed for one hour and for a group of more than 100 people. During their performance they played some recent songs and some favorite classics like, ‘Walk this way’ by Aerosmith.

“The crowd was amazing, they really got into the music,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kori Gillis, a musician and lead vocalist. “There was a lot more excitement because there was so, much media. It gives us an adrenaline rush… the audience got the same rush and it made the performance that much better. ”

It was not long before the crowd began to cheer and sing along to the music. For many of the people this was the first time they saw a U.S. band perform live.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian Wirt, a musician and guitarist for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe rock band ‘Flag Ship’, during a free concert for the local community at Gorsad Garden, during exercises Sea Breeze 2010.

“They played one of my favorite songs, ‘I Gotta Feeling’ [by Black Eyed Peas],” said Dima Leonov, local Odessa resident. “I knew the song from the video on T.V., but this is the first time I same a U.S. band play it or any song live.”

“This was the first time I saw U.S. band play music [live],” said Dasha Dougenko, local Odessa resident. “I really like all the songs and I hope they come back again someday.”

Sea Breeze is an invitational combined and joint maritime exercise in the Black Sea with the goals of enhancing Black Sea nation maritime security capabilities and improving Black Sea theater security cooperation strategies. Sea Breeze is the largest exercise this year in the Black Sea including 25 ships, 13 aircraft and more than 1,600 military members from Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Moldova, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and United States.

DVIDS
Story by Lt.j.g. Gary Keen

Patrick J. Carroll, the governance and cultural adviser for I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD), plays his bagpipes as a crowd of Marines and other service members watch. Carroll believes that service members not only like the soothing nature of his music, but also the martial tone associated with it. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Fasci

From remembering people from the past to relaxation and even shaping the war atmosphere, one man has found a way to use bagpipes to fulfill many different needs.

Patrick J. Carroll, the governance and cultural adviser for the I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) Civil Affairs Group, plays the bagpipes for many different reasons, and brings its tunes to all different parts of the world.

Through his experiences he has found something that brings back memories, allows him to give back to his brothers in the Corps and keeps him working toward something better as he immerses himself into learning new songs and other types of bagpipes.

“Most people say they can’t believe that I bring it with me, but once you remove the bass drum you can actually fit it in a normal-size gun case,” said Carroll. “It fits conveniently in a seabag, so if I can take a seabag somewhere, I can take the pipes with me, and I pretty much take them everywhere I go.”

Carroll retired from the Marine Corps as a lieutenant colonel in September 2009 and has continued working as a civilian contractor. He began as an infantry officer but was also a middle eastern foreign area officer, helping him with the job he is doing working with the civil affairs group as a contractor.

“I went to certain schooling during my career to become an expert on the history, politics, language and culture of the countries that fall within the Central Command,” said Carroll.

Speaking mainly Arabic, Carroll also knows some Pashto and Farsi after studying the Middle East for over 17 years.

The bagpipes are not an instrument most people would think to pick up. Carroll had a little more motivation than just the personal drive he has had throughout life.

“At the same time I thought about playing the pipes, I ran into the father of a Marine who was playing bagpipes at a dining out event, and asked him if it was difficult to play it. He not only encouraged me to play, but gave me some advice on how to get started,” said Carroll. “My father also encouraged it. He loved the pipes. He didn’t play, but he played the music a lot.”

After receiving the advice Carroll bought a chanter and a book tutor to begin practicing.

Carroll had another reason for continuing to put in the work to play and to take them everywhere possible.

“My mom passed away about the time I picked it up,” said Carroll. “My mother loved Ireland, she had been to Ireland numerous times. My dad went to school in Ireland for a portion of his youth and it was kind of a way to remember her. That makes it easy because you always want to play it and think of your parents.”

As with any Marine, the sense of brotherhood has never left Carroll, and being around the Corps has allowed him to continue helping fellow Marines.

“I actually play for any Marine who wants me to play. I’ll play at the drop of a hat. So I play at retirements, and unfortunately I play at memorial ceremonies and funerals,” said Carroll. “I’m very honored to play for Marines. I do it because I never learned to do it for money. It was simply for the joy of the music and I don’t do it only for Marines, but of course I would do anything for my brother Marines.”

Carroll feels the sound of bagpipes is something most service members like to hear played while they are deployed.

“I also play it because it is an instrument that combines a martial sense to it, a war-like presence, but also has a soothing side at the same time,” said Carroll. “I think that the Marines, any servicemen, even if they are not Irish or Scottish like the martial aspect of the pipes, so I think it goes well with the atmosphere.”

Just as many Marines and other servicemembers find it relaxing to hear him play, it also allows him to break away from the difficult work that he performs daily basis as himself and the Marines from the civil affairs group help the people of Afghanistan have a better way of life.

“You need something to completely break free, some type of hobby that completely takes you away,” said Carroll.

Carroll will continue to play while he finishes out his six months working with the civil affairs group, and when he returns home to Virginia, where he is part of a band called the Northern Virginia Firefighters Emerald Society Pipe Band.

“I would encourage anyone to start playing. The only regret that I’ve had in life so far is not starting to play a musical instrument earlier,” said Carroll.

DVIDS
Story by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Fasci

Singer Kaya Jones performs for the Soldiers assigned to Contingency Operating Station Endeavor, Iraq, Feb. 24. Jones, a former member of the Pussycat Dolls, signed autographs and posed for pictures after her performance. Photo by Spc. Ben Hutto

Kaya Jones is presented with a combat shirt following her performance for the Soldiers assigned to Contingency Operating Station Endeavor, Iraq, Feb. 24. Photo by Spc. Ben Hutto

Former Pussycat Doll Kaya Jones sings. Photo by Spc. Ben Hutto

Former Pussycat Doll, Kaya Jones entertained the Soldiers assigned to Contingency Operating Station Endeavor, Iraq, Feb. 24.

Jones and her dance team danced and sang for an appreciative audience for over an hour, before signing autographs and posing for pictures with their audience.

“We love you,” said Jones. “We miss you back home. We thank you for what you are doing out here.”

Jones also gave away free music from her new album and spent time interacting with the troops at the COS Endeavor dining facility during lunch.

“It was a pleasure to perform for all of you guys,” said Jones.

Soldiers cheered throughout the show, encouraging the singer and talking her into an encore.

“It was fun to get a break, hang out and cut loose a little bit,” said Spc. Dillon Fisher, Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “She was very talented.”

Fisher was one of three Soldiers who got to compete in a dance-off on stage with Jones’s dance team.

“Even though I didn’t win, I think everyone knows who was the best dancer up there,” said Fisher with a smile. “I’m not saying I was robbed, but I have no idea how I didn’t win.”

DVIDS
Story by Spc. Ben Hutto

Lisa Pratt and husband Capt. Matt Pratt

Army Capt. Matt Pratt and his songstress wife, Lisa, lived the dream in southern California Feb. 1, thanks to an Army morale and recreation program that supports Soldiers and their families.

Lisa Pratt earned an all-expenses-paid trip to record a three-song demonstration CD at DMI Music’s Firehouse Recording Studios here after winning the 2009 Operation Rising Star singing contest. Rising Star is one of hundreds of programs the Alexandria, Va.,-based Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command provides for soldiers and their families.

After her first session in the recording studio, Pratt sang the praises of the Army Family Covenant, which supports Soldiers and their families with resourced programs that deliver a quality of life commensurate with their service and sacrifice to the nation.

“The Army Family Covenant; this is what it is,” Lisa said, before departing the recording studio to attend “The Jay Leno Show” in Burbank, where she got to meet one of the world’s most- famous comedians.

“I never knew that Operation Rising Star was going to open all these doors for me,” she said.

For Lisa, the journey to serve as an ambassador for FMWRC’s Army Entertainment Division had just begun. For Matt Pratt, who redeployed from Mosul, Iraq, last autumn and accompanied his wife from Fort Carson, Colo., to Hollywood, the Operation Rising Star winner’s journey reaffirmed his belief in the Army’s promise to support soldiers and families.

“I’m trying to take it all in, but it’s an emotional time for me because I get to see Lisa do what she absolutely loves doing,” said Pratt, a 2006 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. “For the past year while I was in Iraq, she was supporting me and what I was doing. Now the Army has provided me the opportunity to sit here and support her with what she does.”

Pratt never had the opportunity to sit back and watch his wife of nearly four years perform until she took the stage to compete in Operation Rising Star, a program best described as “American Idol” for the military.

“In church, I play the guitar and she sings,” he said. “But to see her under the lights and me be on the receiving end as part of the audience, I’d never had the opportunity to do that.

Pratt knew that his wife had won a recording session, but he had no idea what level of professionalism awaited them in Pasadena.

“That’s part of the magic. It’s overwhelming to see the level that she’s at and to see her basking in it. It still seems very surreal,” he said.

“I asked her, ‘Is this really happening?’” Pratt recalled. “And she said, ‘I don’t think it is.’ So, I think both of us are sort of caught in some sort of hyper-reality right now.”

Capt. Pratt, too, is praising the Army Family Covenant program.

“So, here we are in sunny Los Angeles right now,” he said, “and the Army Family Covenant is the reason we’re here, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

The trip to California with his wife, Pratt said, ranks among his best-ever family experiences.

“The only thing I would compare this to, as far as the level of emotion I feel, was walking into the gym and seeing Lisa for that first time after I came back from Iraq,” he said. “This is up there. It’s on par with that sort of feeling of surreal. This is one of the most exciting times since Lisa and I have been together.”

Pratt then sped away to drive his wife to meet Leno.

DVIDS
Story by Tim Hipps

Lisa Marie Pratt on Facebook

Lisa Marie Pratt on Twitter

Looks like Miley Cyrus is wrapping up the Hannah Montana show. While some Disney execs seem to be out of the loop, there has been confirmation that this is the show’s last season.

Miley turns 18 on November 23, 2010. She may be looking to move into adulthood through another entertainment venue, probably the movies. She is still in the Disney stable, at least until she takes after many of the women that preceded her and fall apart with drugs, lesbian affairs and a career in the toilet.

The Scarlet Ending performs for a live audience of deployed service members, Oct. 19. The Scarlet Ending is a New York-based band performing in Southwest Asia as part of an Armed Forces Entertainment-sponsored tour.

The Scarlet Ending performs for a live audience of deployed service members.

The Scarlet Ending performs for a live audience of deployed service members.

The Scarlet Ending performs for a live audience of deployed service members.

Photos by Tech. Sgt. Jason Edwards (US Air Force/public domain)

Scarlet Ending website

Scarlet Ending on Facebook