West Point graduate wins opportunity to open for REO Speedwagon, Styx, Blue Oyster Cult

By Robert Dozier, U.S. Army Installation Management CommandJune 22, 2012

2LT Charles Breseño
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2LT Charles Breseño
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SAN ANTONIO -- A 2012 West Point graduate from Texas will open for REO Speedwagon, Styx and Blue Oyster Cult at a Fort Knox, Ky., concert June 23.

2LT Charles Briseño won the opportunity in the "Rock Star for a Day" contest sponsored by the concert's promoters, The Midwest Rock 'n' Roll Express. He will perform as a solo acoustic guitar act to open the Army Concert Tour show at Godman Army Airfield for thousands of Soldiers.

"I had a band at West Point," said Briseño. A week before graduation, he heard about the contest from retired MSG Blair Ferrier, a long-time friend.

"The master sergeant put the idea in my head to enter the contest," he said. "I've always done stuff in music and figured this would be a good opportunity to play for a bunch of people."

Briseño and a guest will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the show, including airfare, lodging, two tickets to the concert and access to the VIP area, $250 cash, and a meet-and-greet session with the headline performers. Then it will be his turn to entertain the troops.

No special props, effects or choreography will be allowed. Briseño will get a microphone and a plug for a guitar.

"I'm not worried. I've been writing music for ten years," said Briseño. "When you hear the audience react and appreciate what you do, that means everything. I can't wait to play."

Briseño, from George West, Texas, joined the Army in 2006 and was a specialist with the 173rd Airborne Brigade deployed to Afghanistan. He served as a heavy weapons team leader before reporting to the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. He graduated in May 2012 and after the concert, he will report to Fort Benning, Ga., for the Armor Basic Officers Leader Course.

The Army Concert Tour at Fort Knox is open to the public and ticket information can be found on the MWR website at http://www.knoxmwr.com/.