ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- The sounds of classic, punk and soft rock filled the air on the Edgewood Area's Wise sports field August 7 as spectators enjoyed a free concert courtesy of Coke Zero Music.
The Directorate of Family, Morale Welfare and Recreation-supported event included Corrin Campbell and the Election, a rock/pop trio led by Campbell, a bass guitar and key-boardist who is a member of the U.S. Army Materiel Command Band; the pop/punk southern rock group Junior, an all-male trio known for the NASCAR theme song, "NASCAR Man," and Lisa Palleschi, a solo artist with the Warner Music Group.
Edgewood Area Soldiers, most from the 143rd Ordnance Battalion, cadets from the Free State ChalleNGe Academy and dozens of civilians and family members turned out for the event. Refreshment vendors included First Sergeant's Barbecue, Surf's Up Smoothies, and Cows on the Loose ice cream. FMWR also distrubuted water and cold drinks.
The crowd cheered enthusiastically for Campbell, who joined by drummer Tony Corbett, another member of the band, and lead guitarist Jim Boyer, opened the show with songs from her new CD, "Game Night." After the show, she said it was "cool" performing for fellow Soldiers.
"We don't get to see a lot of Soldiers when we perform," she said. "It means a lot to us to be here for them on their day off from hard training. Prior to the concert, Corrin Campbell and The Election played the Lilith Fair with Sarah McLachlan at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. Campbell was a member of the 2003 U.S. Army Soldier Show.
For information, visit the band's web site at www.corrincampbell.net. Lead singer Kiley Bland, drummer Steve Cox and base player Adam Hoffoss, make up the group Junior that wowed listeners with their theme songs as well as a medley of classics.
"We love performing for Soldiers." Bland said, adding that it was their second show of the tour, which began at Fort Detrick, Md. "It's exciting for us to play for America's heroes," he added. "We probably get more out of it than they do." Bland and other musicians teamed with Palleschi who closed the show with songs from her new CD, "All The Way," and paired with Bland on some classic tunes that kept the crowd on its feet.
"We're really excited about this tour," she said after the show. "Playing for Soldiers makes it extra special after all they do for us." For more on Junior and Palleschi, visit www.juniorrocks.com and www.lisapalleschi.com.
Audience members said they enjoyed the free event. "This is a great opportunity to see up and coming developing acts in a nice setting so I brought the whole family," said Dennis Libershal, a civilian contractor with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command who was accompanied by his wife Courtney, daughter Hayden, 7, and son Gavin, 5.
"All the groups were cool and the music sounded good," said Pfc. Jacob Gaspari of Company A, 143rd Ordnance Battalion.
Pvt. Anthony Hancock, Company A 143rd, said he missed most of the show but made it in time for the finale. "I liked what I did get to hear," Hancock said. "I also like the fact that they took time out to come play for Soldiers."
All performers signed autographs and distributed free CDs to the audience after the show. The Coke Zero Music Tour will play at 13 Army installations this summer. The goal of the tour is to have Soldier bands perform prior to up-and-coming artists.
Junior and Lisa Palleschi will headline shows at numerous NASCAR events and college football games throughout the Southeast, including the 2011 Senior Bowl.
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