Country Tonite Performs Live for Eisenhower Sailors

Courtesy Photo | Country singer Corinne Chapman performs for Sailors on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower's mess decks during a mini concert. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe.  

ABOARD USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, AT SEA

04.19.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Navy           

USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea — Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike) clapped, danced and clicked the heel of their boots on the non-skid listening to the tunes of Country Tonite, April 12, in hangar bay 2.

Gene Bicknell, Country Tonite's producer, said the group visited Ike on behalf of the American Airlines - Flagship Freedom initiative.

"We wanted to bring our show to the ship since they couldn't come to us," said Bicknell. "The crew has been wonderful, and we wanted to let them know that they're our heroes."

Country Tonite is based out of Branson, Mo., where the show has won numerous awards for "Best Show." Members of the Country Tonite cast arrived with one of country music's rising stars from Nashville, Tenn., Corinne Chapman.

This was the first time the performers of Country Tonite and Chapman were aboard an aircraft carrier afloat or ashore.

"I've never been to an aircraft carrier before," said Chapman. "Everything is so new to me. There's always something to do. I was amazed to see how everyone was where they're supposed to be doing their jobs."

All of the entertainers had the opportunity to watch flight operations from the flight deck, meet crew members in the chapel, combat direction center and during a mini concert on the mess decks.

"Being able to see the jets take off and land was astonishing," said Bicknell.

"The reason I came is because I wanted to let everyone know that we haven't forgotten about them and what they do," added Chapman.

Chapman commented that she'll leave Ike with a better understanding of a Sailor's day-to-day life underway.

"It's nice to see what the Navy does out here," said Chapman. "Personally, I hope to gain a better understanding of what Sailors go through. This has been so rewarding because I feel so humbled."

After seeing operations first hand, the entertainers performed for the crew in the hangar bay, perform, singing classics from country music's most legendary artists along with the country hits of today.

Airman Jason Nance of air department, V-3 division, a North Carolina native and an avid country music fan, said he enjoyed the concert.

"I really liked it and thought it was nice of them to come out here and play for us," said Nance.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Wayne Clark of aircraft intermediate maintenance department, IM-3 division, said the concert provided a different venue for Sailors, breaking the everyday routine for a change.

"It was great," said Clark. "I was born and raised in the Ozark Mountains and have been to Branson and seen the Country Tonite show before. It's a good morale booster for the crew and is a break from the norm."

The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime operations and operate in international waters across the globe.

• Date Taken: 04.19.2009
• Date Posted: 04.19.2009 04:00
• Story ID: 32559
• Location: ABOARD USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, AT SEA