How did the first show at Soto Cano AB, Honduras go?

The first show was awesome. We had troops on stage singing with us and they were stage diving. We’ve run into so many people who have seen us during previous Armed Forces Entertainment shows, which has been really cool.

How long do you guys plan to play each night?

Well, we played for about four hours at our first show. We roll with whatever happens, so if it looks like the troops want more, we give them more. They love to request songs and we’ll play whatever they want, as long as we know it. We’ve been able to get to the locations a day early to set up which has allowed us time to hang out with soldiers before our show. If they mention a song they want to hear, we’ll huddle before the show and make sure all of us are familiar with it. We’re not here to push our music, we’re here to play what they want to hear.

When you’re not preparing for a show or performing, what have you been up to?

We’ve been taking advantage of any activities they’ll let us be a part of. We worked out with the soldiers in Honduras. I think the soldiers get really excited to show us what they do and we’ve enjoyed having them take us around and show us what a day in their life is like.

Since you've toured with Armed Forces Entertainment before, you probably packed better for this trip since you knew what to expect. What item was a must on your packing list?

Um, I would say my camera. We're trying to capture all of these moments and share them with fans so we've had our cameras with us a lot and trying to post pictures when we have internet abilities.

What’s been the highlight of the trip so far?

After our first show in Honduras, we got to hang out with the soldiers – kind of like an after party. Two soldiers brought their acoustic guitars and before you knew it, about 40 to 50 people were sitting around and we all had a sing along of whatever songs they wanted. The two guitars were passed around to other soldiers and it was their time to perform and let us back them up.

Catchpenny member Mark Kelly jams with a soldier during an after show in Honduras.

For more band information visit the Featured Artist Page

Coming out of rehearsals in Dallas, what was the excitement level for the group leading up to your first performance?

The excitement level has been high ever since we began rehearsals for this tour. I don't think our excitement can be any higher than it is right now to leading up to our first performance.

You're obviously performing in conditions very different than a concert hall in the states, how hard is it to be flexible with the rehearsed show based on the stage size or facility?

We have new challenges every show with sound, staging, and sometimes weather elements, but flexibility is always expected at every performance and we always somehow produce a fun and exciting show for all ages.

Any funny stories from the trip over you can share? Who gets the awards for most efficient packer, worst packer, fear of flying, and can sleep through anything?

I never thought I could ever throw a football in an airplane. We had so much room we could have held a college bowl game inside! We had to pack over five tons of equipment in the plane and the crew did an outstanding job packing it all. Everyone was excited to fly! I think our tour manager Jimmy Swan gets the award for sleeping through turbulence and loud noise.

How are you documenting this once in a lifetime trip?

We are blessed to have a photographer with us. I brought a journal with me to write down the things that happen as we tour from show to show. Every time we have a performance we get a chance to talk to the service men and women and their families afterwards. They never cease to inspire me in some way to be a better person and help me truly realize the sacrifices they make on our behalf. Those are the things that I want to remember the most.

What songs seem to be the biggest hit among the troops, maybe they sing along to it the most.

We always end our performance with "Don't Stop Believing" by the group Journey. They always seem to get on their feet and sing along word for word.

For more tour information visit the Icons World Tour artist page!