Nashville Connection

By Rachel Ponder, U.S. Army Garrison Public Affairs OfficeMarch 3, 2011

Nashville Connection
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Nashville Connection
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ted Tharp as Elvis closes the concert by singing several chart topping hits by the King of Rock and Roll. "We want to give back and support the troops and thank them for everything that they do," Tharp said. Tharp has been paying tribute to Elvis Pre... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Nashville Connection
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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Elvis was in the building, along with Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Carrie Underwood and the Blues Brothers for The Nashville Connection, a tribute show celebrating the roots of Rock and Roll. The concert, which was presented by the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, was held at the Aberdeen Proving Ground South Recreation Center Feb. 26.

The show featured six Memphis Mafia tribute performers. Tricia Devine served as the Master of Ceremonies.

"Bopper G," performed by Gary Baker, opened the show by singing crowd-pleasing oldies like "Run Around Sue," "Pretty Woman," "Shama Lama Ding Dong" and "Chantilly Lace."

Following Bopper G, Johnny Cash, performed by Jim Rapposellii, sang favorites like "Walk the Line," "Ghosts Riders in the Sky" and "Ring of Fire."

Rapposellii also sang "Soul Man," "Sweet Home Chicago" and other Blues Brothers songs with Trevor Biggers.

Another crowd favorite was Sean Jamison as Garth Brooks, who sang "Rodeo," "The Dance," and "Papa Loved Mama." Jamison got the crowd on their feet by singing most of his set in the crowd.

Fourteen year-old Rachel Bauer made her professional debut with the Nashville Mafia that night as Carrie Underwood, by singing "We're Young and Beautiful" and "Before He Cheats."

"We are very proud of her, she wants to be a professional singer," said her mother, Cyndee Bauer.

Ted Tharp as Elvis, closed the night by performing several chart topping hits.

The audience members, who were mostly composed of Soldiers from the 143rd Ordnance Battalion, seemed to have a good time as they cheered and danced to their favorite songs.

Pfc. Chris Weber, who is stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground for training, said that he enjoyed going to the concert because it gave him something to do on a Saturday night.

"This is something different, I like having some time away from the barracks," Weber said.

To view more photos, visit www.flickr.com/photos/usagapg/