FORT BENNING, GA - From the looks and cheers of spectators, the U.S. Army Soldier Show was a hit Friday night. The show, sponsored by I. A.M. STRONG, the Army's Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Program, and AT&T, drew nearly 5,000 people to Wetherby Field to hear a wide range of popular music, from Taylor Swift's Love Story to T-Pain's Freeze.
The 90-minute live production showcased the talents of 22 active-duty Soldiers - 15 performers and seven technicians - who represent various specialties within the Army, from combat medic to petroleum specialist.
This year's show, "Lights! Camera! Action," included rap, R&B, country, gospel, rock, oldies and patriotic tunes mixed with dance numbers and visual effects.
The show opened with Kirk Franklin's upbeat Declaration (This Is It), co-written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, about surviving everyday trials and tribulations through a positive declaration of one's purpose in life.
Other songs included Duffy's Mercy, Dominican Juan Luis Guerra's La Llave de MAfA CorazAfA3n, which translates in English to Key to My Heart, and I Decided, by Solange Knowles. The performers wore traditional attire from India for Jai Ho, from the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. The evening wrapped with Make Them Hear You/Warrior's Anthem, a combination of Michael Peterson's The Warrior's Anthem and Robert Humphrey's Warrior's Creed.
Zaire Motley, 9, said she enjoyed her first concert.
"My favorite song was Closer by Ne-yo," she said. "It looked just like the music video."
Zaire's older sister, Kenya, 10, said she preferred BeyoncAfA's Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it) because of the performers glittering dresses.
"I want one of those dresses in my closet," Kenya said. "I thought they were pretty and awesome."
SSG(R) Eddie Coleman and his wife, Ruth, said they enjoyed singing out loud to the "oldies but goodies" during the show.
"It's very entertaining, people from all walks of life are here," Eddie said. "Tonight we're one big, happy, Army family."
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