Looking to connect with any Musician service members stationed world-wide (pass along please)

SPC Frank Podlaha — Sat, 31 May 2014 21:26:34 -0400

I love live music, and I remember many buddies in the Army that played guitar, piano, whatever. Had many fun jams in the barracks, parks, German beer halls, etc. Would love to hear some stories.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 8:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 20:33:28 -0400

When I was younger, I recorded and mixed tracks for underground rappers and singers. I loved it. Sometimes, I miss it. There's a special feeling from listening to a song by someone you know personally about something you can fully relate to that you helped build into a final product for curious listeners. I want to learn to play the guitar and piano, but for now I'm still giving my full attention to pushing my Soldiers to make career choices for themselves (ie. college and exercise), doing college, and learning my new duty position.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 3:47 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 15:47:52 -0500

I play drums, my first drum set was a Tama Rockstar 6pcs, then I had a Yamaha Stage Custom Fusion, loved that one, and my last one before joining was a Pearl Forum 6 pcs Red Wine and Black. Now, because I live on post and I can't play an acoustic set, I'm rocking an Acorn Triple D5 electronic drumset. I must say that is way better than I thought it would be. I play for me, was in a band once but we drank more than we played so it didn't worked out. I went on tour to Central America with a christian singer, but I'm not christian so it didn't worked out either. I play every day, I'm not good at it though, I just love music and try to do some.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 8 at 2015 5:31 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 17:31:45 -0500

This is for you SGM William Gabbard!

Response by SGT Bobby F. made Jan 8 at 2015 5:36 PM

SGT Bobby F. — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 17:36:31 -0500

I currently play guitar for (and was previously singing for) a rock band made up of all the different branches service members here in Okinawa. We're not trying to strike it rich and live that total rockstar lifestyle or anything, but with our mix of covers and originals we've made a fairly big mark here. We've played everything from all the different posts' E-Clubs to local festivals all over the island. If it wasn't for our conflicting schedules we'd have made a small tour of the mainland.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 4:56 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 16:56:46 -0400

I'm up in age now, but back in 1964/65, while stationed at Kadena Okinawa (USAF), I was a lead guitar player in a band with other airman. We played all over the island. The kicker was that the lead singer was a senior NCO and worked in Operations. He scheduled the practice alerts, so naturally we never had to worry about a gig/alert problem. We were also asked to play a benefit (freebie) at the Senior NCO club which conflicted with another gig. The senior NCO "mafia" gave us a choice. Play the benefit or never play again. We did the benefit. When I was in, pay was $90 a month, so the money we got from playing really helped. I have a receipt for $100.0 for a gig at the Kadena Airman's club. In 1964 that was "BIG" money. Loved doing it and continued playing in civilian life.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Apr 6 at 2015 10:09 AM

SGT Craig Northacker — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 10:09:47 -0400

I spent 25 years in the entertainment and sports business representing prominent groups, athletes and others as a CPA. We are in the process of taking the Rockingham SPeedway out of foreclosure just outside of FT Bragg if and when the bankers and their lawyer remove their heads from their rectums. We are forcing the issue, however, and I have already rented it so we have possession to put in a major reintegration center for all our military, veterans and families, and our disabled friends. We are creating about a thousand jobs there, and racing great Andy Hillenburg will be running the racing side as we build the economic and assisted, independent and transitional housing area to complement our economic development programs, vocational training, PTSD and Moral Injury programs, specialized programs for women and families, and so on. Plus, we are nationwide in scope.
On that lengthy note, we are hosting a July 4 weekend celebration, and I would like to see what the interest is of our fellow musicians to be able to jam. We will provide a backline and audio, and also film it for our own individual posterity. We will have a monster truck event, a bbq cookoff between different service mess team with their own grillmaster advisors, and a lot of other fun stuff for the entire family. There will be no admission if I get my way, or we will ask for a can or box of food as admission to give to the local food pantry.
So give me a shout - what do you think?

Be well, Craig (proud boonie-rat and guitarist).

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Apr 6 at 2015 10:27 AM

SGT Craig Northacker — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 10:27:55 -0400

I remember being at a repl depot at Benning in the early 70's. I had a 12 string guitar that I liked to play and have fun with. I was shooed into the latrine of our splinter city home, but in short order many of the barracks mates were hanging out in the latrine with me and we were having fun creating song and verse about military life. One of our NCO's eventually stumbled upon us, and asked why we doing this in the latrine, then somehow found some other more important work for us that afternoon. That is a great memory ...