Photo By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bratt | Swag-pop duo, Karmin, perform at Freedom Crossing on Fort Bliss, Texas, Aug. 30, 2012....... read more read more
FORT BLISS, Texas - As the sun set behind the hills of Fort Bliss, Freedom Crossing ended their four part summer concert series, Let Freedom Sing, Thursday night. Two local acts, Emily Davis and the Altar Boys and The Vibe opened the show. The show was headlined by Boston based swag pop duo Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan, better known as Karmin.
“Most acts are just really excited to perform for the soldiers and the El Paso Community,” according to Danaria Farris McCoy, director of marketing for Freedom Crossing.
The concert was the first time Karmin has performed on a military installation.
“We are so excited to perform at Fort Bliss! We can’t wait to show our military fans how much their service means to us and give back in the best way we know how. It will be the first of its kind for Karmin, a historic day!” the duo said in a statement before the show.
Fans began arriving early, with many of the women sporting throwback hairstyles and clothing reminiscent of the 1940s, in homage to Heidemann’s signature style. Some fans, who had entered a contest on Freedom Crossing’s Facebook page, were also treated to a backstage meet and greet with the duo before the show. The band signed autographs and posed for pictures with their excited fans.
One contest winner, 1st Lt. Jonathan Kelley, said it has been wonderful to see big name acts, such as Karmin, play at Fort Bliss. “It’s awesome. It’s great for families to go and relax. I’ve never seen so many concerts on a military installation.”
The crowd began chanting their name and finally at about nine o’clock the duo made their way onto the stage to the roar of an enthusiastic crowd. They launched into an energetic performance that didn’t disappoint their eager fans. The show mixed songs from their debut studio album, “Hello,” with covers of popular songs, which is how the band originally gained notoriety via their YouTube channel, Karmincovers. At one point they selected a fan to join them onstage and perform a cover of Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass.” Expecting him to perhaps merely join in on the choruses, the band and audience alike were wowed when the audience member grabbed the mic from Heidemann and began his own stellar performance of the tune.
As the show came to a close, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Pandy made his way onto the stage to address the crowd. “We have a saying here at Fort Bliss: people come as friends and they leave as family.” With that he presented the backup band each with a coin on behalf of the Garrison Commander, Colonel Brant Dayley. Saving the best for last he presented Heidemann and Noonan each with a key to Fort Bliss.
“I’m overwhelmed,” said Heidemann as she seemed to visibly tear up. “I’m going to see if this really works and try it on the Dairy Queen on the way out,” Noonan joked.
“As much as you love us and are happy we are here, we love you all more and are so honored to be here,” Heidemann said in a heartfelt statement to the crowd.
And with that, the duo jumped into an encore performance of their most recognizable song, the hit “Broken Hearted” to end the evening’s festivities.
The Let Freedom Sing concert series is an annual concert series at Fort Bliss, now in its second year. Karmin marks the first time a female fronted group has performed at Freedom Crossing. It has featured a variety of acts designed to appeal to all musical tastes from country to R&B. In addition, there are also food and beverage tents for spectators.
The first of its kind on a U.S. Military installation, Freedom Crossing is an open-air shopping center with a variety of stores, eateries, patios, a first-run Cineplex with 10 screens. Other activities amenities include an outdoor fire place, an interactive fountain and a children’s play area.
“We’re doing something that nowhere else in the military is doing. We’re trying to make it the best we can for the soldiers and their families,” Mccoy went on to say. “Freedom Crossing was first envisioned as a community center to help mesh the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities, as well as improve life for soldiers, their families and the entire El Paso community.”
| Date Taken: | 08.30.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 09.08.2012 04:29 |
| Story ID: | 94394 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 215 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Karmin performs at Freedom Crossing on Fort Bliss, Texas, by SSG Jeremy Bratt, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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