Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Marcia Triggs | Charlie Wilson and one of his band members harmonize during a concert held on...... read more read more
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICER, Iraq — He went from rags to riches — to homeless. However, in his testimonial to troops and civilians on Contingency Operating Base Speicher, he said his faith brought him back to the stage and back to the top of the music charts.
This funkadelic and soulful artist is known for 80s hits like, "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" and "Burn Rubber on Me". However, in the midst of an Iraqi sandstorm younger troops braved the weather to hear the artist croon his most recent lyrics "My Name is Charlie, Last Name Wilson", Feb. 21 at the Speicher Main Gym.
Charlie Wilson, 57, the former lead singer of the Gap Band, gave a 93-minute, nonstop concert that was packed with energy, inspiration and rhythm and soul.
"Real music isn't easy to do," Wilson told the crowd, after harmoniously belting out a ballad, "but somebody's got to do it." Along with the music, Wilson openly acknowledged that he still has the energy he brought to the stage more than 40 years ago. During the show Wilson and his dancers changed three times, within minutes. However, the audience didn't mind those few moments to listen to the instrumentals of his band members, who are also his nephews and a younger brother.
Wilson, a Grammy Award nominee, who is from Tulsa, Okla., admitted that he remembers at one point ignoring troops when he saw them out in their uniform, but said that now he's a changed man. He fought prostate cancer and won. He's also vowed to never use drugs and alcohol again. "I've been clean for 15 years," he said.
He also threw out selfishness, he added. "You go outside the wire. You lay it on the line, and I love you for that," Wilson said to the troops. "And for your sacrifices, I'm not afraid to come over here when you want me to. Regardless, if it's during the heat of the battle, if you ask me, I'll come and perform."
This was Wilson's second trip to Iraq. He performed in Mosul, February of last year. However, this was the first time some Soldiers were able to see him on stage. Private First Class Tiffany Goode wasn't aware of Charlie Wilson until he collaborated with younger artists like, Justin Timberlake and Snoop Dogg. However, she said she finds his smooth voice and modern R&B songs very appealing.
"He has this never-ending soul voice and his music touches us," said Pfc. Goode, who is a radio transmitter operator with 3rd Division Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, out of fort Stewart, Ga.
All ages and ranks filled the gym from the bottom of the stage to the top of the bleachers. Very seldom, could a person be seen sitting down during the hour-and-half performance. Some stood to rock to the beat, and others stood because their hearts wouldn't let them sit down.
"I found it invigorating. His songs touched my soul," said Sgt. Cortez Anderson, from the 249th Quartermaster Company, out of Fort Bragg, N.C. "He inspired me because we all make mistakes, but if we have faith another door will open."
Anderson said he's been listening to Charlie Wilson since he sang with his brothers in the Gap Band, and now he has even more respect for the artist because he came to Iraq to bring some enjoyment and a piece of home to the troops.
Prior to the concert, Wilson and his band members visited servicemembers and civilians in the Task Force Marne Headquarters. While posing for photos with troops, Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, the commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Andrews, the task force command sergeant major stopped by to thank Wilson and his crew for their support to the troops.
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2010 10:44 |
| Story ID: | 45740 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 8,603 |
| Downloads: | 8,516 |
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