News>U.S. Air Forces Central Command Band goes viral
Photos
Sidewinder performs a half-hour acoustic set for 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron Airmen working the night shift at the passenger terminal pallet yard Aug. 8, 2011, in Southwest Asia. Video from that night was uploaded to YouTube, went viral, and now has over 400,000 views. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt Chad Shaver)
Staff. Sgt. Angie Johnson sings for military members deployed to Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, Aug. 10, 2011. The band is touring through Afghanistan to different bases to boost morale and entertain troops. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Corey Hook)
Staff Sgts. Devin Larue, Ransom Miller and Toby Callaway perform as the AFCENT band "Sidewinder" for military members at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, Aug. 10, 2011. The band plays new and old country, hip hop and rock hits. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Corey Hook)
The AFCENT band performs a hit song with participating military members at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, Aug. 10, 2011. The band is touring through Afghanistan to different bases to boost morale and entertain troops. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Corey Hook)
Sidewinder performs a half-hour acoustic set for 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron Airmen working the night shift at the passenger terminal pallet yard Aug. 8, 2011, in Southwest Asia. Video from that night was uploaded to YouTube, went viral, and now has over 400,000 views. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt Chad Shaver)
by Staff Sgt. Alexy Saltekoff
U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs
8/12/2011 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Without microphones or sound equipment, Sidewinder performed a half-hour acoustic set for 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron Airmen working the night shift at the passenger terminal pallet yard Aug. 8 at an air base in Southwest Asia.
The fan uploaded a video of vocalist Staff Sgt. Angie Johnson belting out a cover of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" to YouTube, where it garnered attention from celebrities Carson Daly and Ryan Seacrest, as well as members of the Good Morning America staff. The video has more than 400,000 hits and is now hosted on popular sharing sites such as Reddit and Break.com.
"Proud 2 say @angiekjohnson does have an official audition to be on @NBCTheVoice! [sic]," said Carson Daly, host of NBC's "The Voice," on Twitter. The Voice is a reality TV singing competition with celebrity judges, such as Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera, who also act as the contestants' vocal coaches during the show.
The news hit while the band was traveling from Shindand Air Base to Forward Operating Base Fenty in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, to perform for troops there.
"It's been incredible, but surreal," said Johnson. "We're so far removed out here, I don't think it's hit me yet."
Running on two hours of sleep the past two days, members of Sidewinder have been keeping up on the news through social media and family back home.
"The band is getting e-mail interview requests and random Facebook friend requests," said Johnson. "It's been crazy."
Staff Sgt. Ransom Miller, who normally plays trumpet, has received many comments about his blue egg shaking abilities which have been likened to the popular Will Ferrell "more cowbell" sketch on Saturday Night Live.
Miller joked that all his egg shaking dreams have come true.
The band currently is touring Southwest Asia bringing deployed service members a little bit of home with popular music, including the songs "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys, "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and "Forget You" by Cee Lo Green.
Sidewinder is part of the Missouri Air National Guard's 571st Air Force Band. They are deployed as the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Band, which is part of the Air Force Bands program, a family of 12 active-duty Air Force and 11 Air National Guard bands. These musicians not only boost morale for the troops, they also play a key role in building and strengthening relationships with host nations and coalition partners. Sidewinder returns home next month.
Comments
8/20/2011 4:55:35 AM ET I just saw Sidewinder off on another TDY in the AOR. We generated the flight for them but as it turns out our request opened seats so that 25 transient airmen could get to their final destination. If we hadn't generated the mission those folks would be waiting for another 2-3 weeks at best. So...our TDYs are mutually beneficial to the warfighter in other ways.
DA, deployed
8/19/2011 8:38:17 AM ET EXCELLENT VOCALS... NEED A CD
mary coleman, Lybg VA
8/19/2011 4:47:17 AM ET It was the USAF Band that came out to the remote FOBs to play and give a break to the troops doing work on the front line while the USO guys normally hit all the big bases. So keep up the good work.
Dan, Ramstein
8/18/2011 10:20:56 AM ET I have been retired since 2006 and not deployed anymore but I have to laugh at someone saying how the rockets fly at the died. Oh please. You face about as many rocket attacks as I do here in Ohio. Back to my comments. I saw the band on Fox news and WOW, what talent! I only wish I could see them live. I think all the big formal bands should be scrapped and smaller, more talented bands like Sidewinder should be used. 10 or so smaller bands playing music that the troops can respond to would be more mobile and cheaper yet still provide a great boost in morale. Keep up the awesome work, Sidewinder. You are the wave of the future!
Dave, OH
8/16/2011 12:16:26 PM ET Thanks Sidewinder for taking time to entertain the hard working PORT DAWGS of the Mighty 8th in the baggage yard at oh dark thirty.
Col Cannon, DC
8/16/2011 12:03:01 PM ET What an incredible talent! SSgt Johnson and the whole band sounded great. Keep up the great work providing the entertainment. As Currently Deployed said, there is very limited entertainment. The deployed airmen need this taste of home, so disregard the negative commentary and keep rockin'...
Sean, Bellevue
8/16/2011 10:31:04 AM ET To everyone complainig about this being a waste of money, ect., I'm willing to bet that you're lousy leaders who lead ONLY by the rank on your sleeve or collar. When you're deployed, regardless if you're in a location like the "Died" or some other place where rockets fly daily, ANY little morale booster is worth the investment. If you can't understand on a human level why morale is important and that humans with morale drive the mission, you're lost. Additionally, if you can't understand the strategic importance of bands and air shows, it also shows the depth of your leadership skills/abilities, which is NO depth. Bravo for this band!
Rob, JBB
8/16/2011 7:57:30 AM ET Chris JBSA: Do us all a favor. Get back to typing up "cat in the hat" at your little desk wherever you are and let people who know what they're talking about talk. Thank you. And thank you Sidewinder for giving our troops a little piece of home. I know they greatly appreciate you guys and your time for them. Who cares if money is tight. The government will realize it's not all DoD spending and it's good to have talent like you guys around. Good job and thank you!
CalibrateThis, Eglin AFB
8/15/2011 5:33:27 PM ET @Chris, at first your view on the subject was good and then it went south. When debating a subject, the last thing you should do is put down the other side. Just because someone has a differing view than you doesn't mean, as you eloquently put it, you either suck at your job or you must be bored and want to complain just for the sake of it. Winston Churchill once said Criticism may not be agreeable but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. I'd say our current state is indeed unhealthy and critical thinking absolutely must take place. If we continue to face our problems with the same mindset that got us into this mess, then there will not be any improvement. I do believe bands serve a purpose but there needs to be a limit to the number of bands. According to the article there are 23 AF Active duty/ANG bands. Seems like there is some room to convert a few positions to some other stressed AFSCs
MM, FL
8/15/2011 4:34:26 PM ET The band went to the same combat training that I went to, and when they performed there were in the same deployed location as I wa,s they travel the same way I did so they were exposed to the same danger I was. I am a personelist and work in an office I do not go banging doors and dodging bullets, neither do they. We all have different jobs why should theirs be so downplayed. They are very talented and that's their job and they are great at it. If you complained about them it's because you either suck at your job or you must be bored and want to complain just for the sake of it. There is a waste of money everywhere but at least wasting money in the band is for a real talent those people have an investment that actually makes sense.
Chris, JBSA
8/15/2011 4:14:28 PM ET Looks like some one need to check out AFI 36-2903 Para 6.3.1.1 lol I love the AF and it's rules
JA, HERE VA
8/15/2011 1:45:35 PM ET My friend posted this on Facebook and I sent it to my section at work. We all thought her voice was amazing. Congrats to SSgt Johnson!
Siyo, Langley VA
8/15/2011 10:05:49 AM ET @First Sergeant, maybe the bands aren't a waste of money but the money could be best used elsewhere. They are filling authorized funded positions which could be used in some of the more stressed career fields. Also, you speak of "combat zone" which I think you are using very loosely. The combat zones I've been deployed to were too dangerous for bands or USO tours to visit, but according to your statement, since I haven't seen either perform I must not have been deployed to a combat zone. Yeah, ok. @Sidewinder: going out and entertaining the midshift crew is awesome. Oft times the midshifters feel underappreciated and the fact that you took the time out to go play for them regardless the size of the crowd is fantastic. Keep it up because if you haven't noticed by comments on af.mil about bands, not only do you have to win the hearts and minds of the locals wherever you are, you also have to win them from your fellow Airmen.
MM, FL
8/15/2011 8:40:38 AM ET Gotta disagree w the colonel. This is a huge waste of money. The Air Force already has a band and any extra ones are unnecessary. Is the Air Force band a recruitment tool and money maker? Yep. Just like Air Shows. But MAJCOM bands is going too far. They can be amazing and professional but if that is their deployment... come on, get serious.
Dan McKnight, US
8/14/2011 4:24:05 PM ET Awesome job, Sidewinder. That is what is great about these small groups of musicians. They can do several mini-shows a night for five people or 500 people. I am sure the Airmen at the pallet yard really enjoyed being taken away from reality even just for a minute. Keep up the great work, from a AF retiree.
Rob, Mississippi
8/14/2011 7:01:03 AM ET GREAT JOB. Well done. We LOVE your music. Stay safe all. Thoughts and prayers.
Rebecca, Florida
8/14/2011 6:33:57 AM ET To those who complain about the band being a waste of money, get real. There's wasteful spending Air Force wide in every command, every squadron. Get off your high horse and give credit where credit is due. Do not downplay this band because you need something to complain about to make you feel more important.
PJ, WI
8/14/2011 2:37:16 AM ET I have to battle for toner and bond paper. Every month it's a quagmire to justify the need for fuel. Stop the insanity. The band was an important part of the Army Air Force. Today bullets jet fuel and close air support training matter more.
Scott, Seattle
8/13/2011 9:52:10 AM ET Sidewinder are awesome Wish I had been able to see them while I was still in. And to those who think otherwise when you are deployed this kind of thing is just what troops need to help boost their morale while away from family friends and loved ones. They support the mission just like any of the rest of us and I am thankful they do what they do.
Gary C MSgt USAF Retired, Denver CO
8/13/2011 5:56:08 AM ET I think one of the main reasons that you haven't seen a ton of complaints about wasted money is because of what you are comparing it to. This is a small band that is set up in a pallet yard. The big complaints about waste of money--mine included--were about Tops in Blues. They have a large logistic footprint a stage costums etc. This is a pretty good return on investment compared to Tops in Blue. But when we are looking for areas to cut these types of positions should be considered before someone on a flightline or manning a post.
Paul, Afghanistan
8/13/2011 1:22:02 AM ET Retired col Jim I'm no pilot but I imagine the reason we do air shows is to showcase our aircraft capabilities. Secondly this band isn't Tops in Blue. This group might as well be sitting on the porch of a rickety shack with a 3-stringed Banjo player and another guy whistling with a moonshine jug. The Air Force does not need to represent itself to the taxpayers with musical talent. The Air Force needs to represent itself as an effective combat force that efficiently uses its resources while minimizing expense to said tax payers. Lastly with all due respect thank you for your ivory tower opinion.
J, West Coast
8/12/2011 11:23:40 PM ET I would say that our priorities are slightly skewed when the CCT and PJs that were killed in the Chinook take second bill in Top Headlines on af.mil. I will make no comment on spending money to research and publish any article that has nothing to do with warfighting in a warfighting organization.
Slathy, NV
8/12/2011 6:54:40 PM ET My son is in the band Sidewinder. This is the second time he has been to a war zone. Band members go through physical and mental training as do all military. They carry weapons and are ready to defend this country I cannot see where this is a waste of money Thanks to this band and all of the other entertainment for boosting morale Also love the belts
Pattie, Zillah WA
8/12/2011 6:40:50 PM ET Wow Col H and Shirt I'm not sure what you're talking about. We have a budget crisis and I can think of many fiscsally responsible ways to boost morale. AMC is the largest DoD user of fuel. So much so that they require us to justify every pound used every sortie. Take a guess at how much fuel is used to haul these bands around the AOR. A three hour flight on a C-17 will burn 60000 pounds of fuel. At two bucks a gallon that's roughly 20000 Our C2 generates missions specifically for these bands. It is FWA at the most basic levels. You want to improve morale How about cancel a few band gigs and improve wifi at all of these bases so the troops on the ground can lift their morale by being able to communicate via skype to their families in their own room. Or even better yet send these guys home to reduce our footprint in the AOR. We don't do airshows in the AOR for good reason. Do we really need to waste valuable resources carrying these guys all over Save a few operators vuln
Line Pilot, Deployed
8/12/2011 5:40:37 PM ET Amazing work Sidewinder Rock on Performing a gig like this for the night shift at 0100 hours truly displays your service before self. Bravo
JL LA, Shreveport Louisiana
8/12/2011 5:28:39 PM ET USAF Bands are not a waste of money. They serve valuable purposes not the least of which is as a positive representation of the military to civilian audiences. In case the complainers have not noticed, we are an all-volunteer force and we need to continue to represent ourselves to taxpayers. Bands exist for the same reason we do air shows. So get over yourselves and your all important AFSC whatever it is. These guys are every bit the professional that any of us are.
Jim H retired colonel, Omaha
8/12/2011 4:25:41 PM ET To those complaining about this band being a waste of money...grow up! You have obviously never been deployed to a combat zone and had your morale lifted by having a band play or a USO tour visit. And yes, they are playing for a crowd the same size as the band... It is a midnight shift and they went out to perform for those not able to attend their regular show. That is a class act to go to the pallet yard and perform for those folks. Awesome job, Sidewinder!
First Sergeant, Fort Hood TX
8/12/2011 3:25:09 PM ET I think the band is making its way to my location...after watching the video I'm excited to hear them play. I totally would have blown it off if I hadn't seen it. There's very limited entertainment here and I'm looking forward to their arrival.
Currently Deployed, Southwest Asia
8/12/2011 3:07:59 PM ET We can't afford chairs due to budget cutbacks so just sit on the floor to watch this unnecessary band perform.
Ruger, Seated
8/12/2011 3:01:13 PM ET OK, I won't complain about the waste of money here but you gotta question the value of a band performing for an audience the same size as the band itself.
DC, MD
8/12/2011 2:29:38 PM ET Great band with a lot of talent! Hope they are around when my next tour comes up.
SSG Diaz, Olathe KS
8/12/2011 1:55:14 PM ET I went to the video under the related links area and it only has 2000 views.
PB, US
8/12/2011 12:35:08 PM ET What? This story has been up for 30 minutes and there have been no complaints about what a waste of money this is? I'm shocked though I'm sure it's coming!
Ron, Tyndall
8/12/2011 12:04:14 PM ET AWESOME job, Sidewinder! Whether it's a crowd of 11 or 1000, you are boosting the morale of the troops and representing the USAF well. PS -- glad to note the reflective belts in use!
