The stars shine at Strathmore
by TSgt Matthew Murray
The USAF Band
5/19/2010 - Bolling AFB, D.C. -- On May 14, The United States Air Force Concert Band, Strings, Airmen of Note, Singing Sergeants and Max Impact joined forces with a host of world-class guest artists at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Md. The performance was the fourth annual concert gala, "America's Veterans--A Musical Tribute."
The event will be featured in an upcoming television broadcast on Veterans Day weekend this November. Guest artists included Lonestar, Melinda Doolittle, Peter Cetera and Blair Underwood. The evening also profiled the lives of veterans who have served in conflicts ranging from World War II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Country crossover superstars Lonestar were the first featured guest artists, captivating the audience with their hit songs "Everything's Changed," "Amazed" and "I'm Already There." The band's meteoric rise to fame has included a stunning 27 singles on the country charts, nine number one hits and three certified gold and platinum albums.
Melinda Doolittle, who the New York Times has described as a "phenomenally gifted, stylistically adroit ... Gladys Knight-Tina Turner hybrid," started off with a sweeping Motown styled rendition of the Celine Dionne hit "Declaration of Love." She ended her set by demonstrating her stylistic range and versatility with a stage stopping version of George Gershwin's classic, "I've Got Rhythm."
Peter Cetera is a successful solo artist, songwriter, bass guitarist, music producer and a founding member of the acclaimed rock band Chicago. Throughout his career Cetera has performed and recorded countless top 40 singles, including many number one hits. His selections for the evening included pop chart toppers "Glory of Love," "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and "You're the Inspiration."
Grammy Award-winning television and film actor Blair Underwood came on board to narrate a series of musical vignettes profiling the lives of veterans from each branch of the military. The featured veterans were visibly moved by the stirring performance of the orchestra and Mr. Underwood, himself the son of a United States Army Colonel.
To close out the night, The USAF Band and all the featured guest artists joined forces for a climactic finale rendition of "God Bless America," arranged by the Band's own Master Sgt. Alan Baylock.
Now in its fourth year, "America's Veterans--A Musical Tribute" will be broadcast on public television on Veterans Day weekend. To find a local public television station in your area that will televise the event, please check our website.
We will continue to update the broadcast information on our website throughout the summer and fall. Remember to look for "America's Veterans--A Musical Tribute" on public television this November on Veterans Day weekend!
The event will be featured in an upcoming television broadcast on Veterans Day weekend this November. Guest artists included Lonestar, Melinda Doolittle, Peter Cetera and Blair Underwood. The evening also profiled the lives of veterans who have served in conflicts ranging from World War II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Country crossover superstars Lonestar were the first featured guest artists, captivating the audience with their hit songs "Everything's Changed," "Amazed" and "I'm Already There." The band's meteoric rise to fame has included a stunning 27 singles on the country charts, nine number one hits and three certified gold and platinum albums.
Melinda Doolittle, who the New York Times has described as a "phenomenally gifted, stylistically adroit ... Gladys Knight-Tina Turner hybrid," started off with a sweeping Motown styled rendition of the Celine Dionne hit "Declaration of Love." She ended her set by demonstrating her stylistic range and versatility with a stage stopping version of George Gershwin's classic, "I've Got Rhythm."
Peter Cetera is a successful solo artist, songwriter, bass guitarist, music producer and a founding member of the acclaimed rock band Chicago. Throughout his career Cetera has performed and recorded countless top 40 singles, including many number one hits. His selections for the evening included pop chart toppers "Glory of Love," "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and "You're the Inspiration."
Grammy Award-winning television and film actor Blair Underwood came on board to narrate a series of musical vignettes profiling the lives of veterans from each branch of the military. The featured veterans were visibly moved by the stirring performance of the orchestra and Mr. Underwood, himself the son of a United States Army Colonel.
To close out the night, The USAF Band and all the featured guest artists joined forces for a climactic finale rendition of "God Bless America," arranged by the Band's own Master Sgt. Alan Baylock.
Now in its fourth year, "America's Veterans--A Musical Tribute" will be broadcast on public television on Veterans Day weekend. To find a local public television station in your area that will televise the event, please check our website.
We will continue to update the broadcast information on our website throughout the summer and fall. Remember to look for "America's Veterans--A Musical Tribute" on public television this November on Veterans Day weekend!
The United States Air Force Band performs with “American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle, during a dress rehearsal broadcast taping of “America’s Veteran’s – A Musical Tribute” May 13 at the Music Center, Strathmore, Bethesda, Md. Another taping is 8-11 p.m. May 14. The fourth annual broadcast taping features Grammy-award winning singer and songwriter Peter Cetera, Melinda Doolittle, the country music group Lonestar, and several Air Force Band performing groups. Award-winning actor Blair Underwood narrates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Thomas Dennis)
