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101st Band conducts Operation Santa

Photo By Spc. Michael Pfaff | Kirkuk, Iraq (Dec. 11, 2005) -- A couple dances during a performance by the 101st...... read more read more

12.18.2005

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story and photos by Spc. Michael Pfaff
133rd MPAD
Dec. 12, 2005

[FOB Warrior] Kirkuk, Iraq (Dec. 12, 2005) " No, they don't play the Army Song all day.

The 101st Airborne Division band is spreading holiday cheer and lifting spirits by departing from the typical marching band sound and playing contemporary songs for Soldiers at forward operating bases.

"We don't want to come here and play all the patriotic marches you would hear at a change of command ceremony," said Sgt. David Casper, a vocalist in the band and Marin, Calif. native. "So, what we do is modify ourselves a little bit and we put together different types of bands."

At a recent performance here, Soldiers had a chance to experience a rhythm and blues, funk band with a horn section. The show included popular songs ranging from rockabilly version of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" to the high-pitched, must-dance "Kiss" originally performed by Prince.

The band doesn't limit itself to one particular genre of music though, Casper said. The band also has a rock and roll band that plays hits from Green Day and Nickelback.

"The army band has a lot of versatility," Casper said. "We try to figure out what time of music is best for the venue and we go and bring that band."

Figuring out what type of music Soldiers wanted to hear started back in the states at Ft. Campbell, Ky., home of the 101st Airborne Division, where the band decided to ask the Soldiers what they were interested in hearing.

"One of the main reasons we chose this type of music is that we surveyed Soldiers back at Ft. Campbell and asked, "What do they want to hear from their army band?"" said Chief Warrant Officer Dewayne Kendricks, the band commander and Birmingham, Ala. native. "The response we got back was contemporary music. We changed our show up a little bit to cater more toward [the Soldiers]. They're our main audience."

The changes to the show seemed to go over well with the audience today, Casper said.

"We saw people singing along with us, some people were dancing, and they're laughing with us," Casper said. "We all like to listen to our music loud, and bob our heads for a little bit, and get that party atmosphere. You aren't able to have that too much out here, so sometimes it's nice to put some music in the air and get people bobbing their heads."

Pfc. Hillary Doody, one of the newest vocalists to the band and an Erie, Penn. native, got the audience bobbing their heads during a rendition of "All I Want for Christmas Is You", one of the holiday songs integrated into the band's set.

The band played three holiday songs during the show, and as the holidays near they are going to integrate more holiday music into the performance, Casper said.

"We're trying to spread a little Christmas cheer," Casper said. "We want to just remind the soldiers out here that it is the holiday times and even though they're out here you can still have the feeling in the air."

Doody said she believes that during the holidays the band's performances are especially important because of the impact on morale.

"It's all about keeping people positive," Doody said. "And, giving them something to look forward to and reminding them of home a little bit.

"At the last show we did, someone came up to me after we played "Sweet Home Alabama" and he was like, "You know, that reminds me of the 70s when I went to go pick up my uncle from the airport. He was coming home from Vietnam and we were singing that song." Stuff like that tells us we really do make a difference. It really means a lot to these people."

The band is going to continue making a difference as it gears up for several holiday performances, said Kendricks. This holiday the band's mission is to bring a little piece of home to Soldiers.

"One soldier told me at [Forward Operating Base] McHenry, "for a moment I forgot I was out here"," said Kendricks. "And, when a soldier tells me that, we accomplished the mission.

"That's all we're trying to do. For just a moment, give them a little taste of home. Let them just unwind, relax and enjoy some of the things from home, like great music."