Spc. Derek Crowe, C Co., 1st Bn., 11th Avn. Regt., and his wife, Amber, perform an original song titled "Rusty River" during the final round of "Rockin' Rucker's" talent show at the Lake Party Luau at Lake Tholocco Aug. 21. The duo took home the top ...

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- A husband and wife duo took home the top prize in the post's "Rockin' Rucker's" talent competition at the Lake Party Luau on Lake Tholocco Aug. 21.

Derek and Amber Crowe won first place out of the top eight finalists with their original song titled "Rusty River." This was the first time the two had ever participated in this sort of competition, Derek said.

"I've had this song for a long time and we decided together that it would be a good one to perform," he said. "When we got up there, I never expected to win. It really surprised us both."

Derek is a specialist in C Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment here. He said he hopes the duo will participate in future competitions.

"I've got about eight or nine songs written and several more in the works," he said. "Hopefully we'll get some more of them worked up and play one next time."

The top three acts, including second place Kristan Mikala of Cedar Springs, Ga., and third place rock band Infamy, took home cash prizes.

"We had a great amount of talent in this group of finalists," Brian Jackson, Directorate of Family and Moral, Welfare and Recreation Delivery Systems program manager, said. "From the crowd's reaction, I think everyone really enjoyed the performances."

Competitors were judged on several factors in the final round, including singing ability, performance, crowd interaction and crowd response.

Other competitors who didn't place included Spc. Avery Dyer, C Co., 1st Bn., 11th Avn. Regt., Pvt. Amanda Macfadden, Forward Support Company, Alabama National Guard, Lynntesha Henley of Ozark, and military spouses Kristy Feltis and Caitlin Johnson.

"Rockin' Rucker's" was only part of the annual Lake Party Luau. Attendees of the sold-out event were treated to a variety of sights and sounds including boat rides, a buffet including a freshly roasted pig, hula demonstrations and a drum circle.

"This is a great event," Jeff Deen, of Drumming for Wellness in Miami, Fla., said. "I love how well everyone is reacting to the drum circle, especially the (children)."

Deen taught children and adults basic drum beats using practice drum pads during the luau. He also demonstrated various drumming techniques with the aid of a light show after the conclusion of the "Rockin' Rucker's" talent show.