FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Mountain Post and local community members attended a free concert by rock band Saving Abel at the Special Events Center April 6.
The five-member rock group jumped at the chance to perform for the Soldiers and Families of Fort Carson and said it's a rewarding experience.
"We are definitely known as supporters of our military," said Eric Taylor, bass guitarist.
The group has traveled overseas and performed numerous concerts for the troops in countries such as Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq.
"It's really cool to do - it's an eye-opening experience," Taylor said.
Jared Weeks, Saving Abel's lead singer, said the band's encounters with the military were the motivation behind their latest single "Miss America."
"It's a life-changing experience," Weeks said. "It lit a fire under our tails.
The song has nothing to do about a beauty pageant ... basically it's a song about bringing everybody home."
"Also, the way we live, we've started to learn what it's like to miss people at home too, not that it's remotely close to the same thing, but we understand that feeling of missing home and we wanted to identify with the Soldiers and say 'we feel your pain,'" said Scott Bartlett, rhythm guitarist.
Prior to the free concert, the quintet conducted a meet-and-greet event at the Fort Carson Post Exchange for their fans.
Kimmie Schnepp, Family member, said having the concert at Fort Carson is good for morale.
"I really appreciate them coming out to perform for our troops and spouses ... I know how much it means to all the Soldiers and their Families to get a little recognition and support for what we are all doing," Schnepp said.
"Sometimes morale can get low, but we'll be the cheerleaders - we'll come in and pump you all up," Weeks said.
(Sgt. Craig Cantrell, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, contributed to this article.)
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