Photo By Staff Sgt. Jerry Boffen | Matthew JC and the AllStars perform for the soldiers of Multinational Battle Group...... read more read more
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - Matthew JC and the AllStars, a Dallas, Texas-based rock band, performed a show for Multinational Battle Group East soldiers at the movie theater here, Oct. 20.
This was the second show on the group's nine-show tour of military bases throughout Kosovo and Germany. The first concert was performed the night before for Kosovo Forces soldiers stationed at Camp Film City in Prishtine/Pristina, Kosovo.
This is not the first time that Matthew J. Chey, the manager and a musician with the group, has entertained the troops, nor is it his first time in Kosovo. He has toured five times in as many years through Armed Forces Entertainment to perform for service members stationed throughout the world.
"We love doing these shows," Chey told the soldiers. "We'd love to come back and play for you guys anywhere in the world."
Christian Sly, the lead singer for the band, said he was glad to get the opportunity to do another show for service members.
"We've been trying to get over here for two or three years and there's been some red tape and obstacles," he said, "so we're just really glad to come back and do this for you. It's a blast."
"[Performing for the troops] is incredible," Sly added. "Considering all that the troops do for us and how much they sacrifice is just mind-blowing. It's great to be able to bring a little bit of home to you guys."
Along with his band, Chey included five fashion models as part of the show. While the band played music, the models walked along a runway and modeled designer clothing. He calls this collaboration "Matthew JC and the AllStars Rock Runway Show".
Chey said the idea for including models in the show came to him several years ago, when he thought that if he combined "awesome musicians playing good music with girls modeling designer clothes into one show, it would be something people would want to see."
Spc. Jeffrey Ozburn, Ft. Gillem, Ga., an Army Reserve intelligence analyst with MNBG E, was at the show and said he really enjoyed the whole experience.
"The band was on key and the music selection was amazing," Ozburn said. "These guys have real talent and I had a blast. The models were beautiful women and they wore a tasteful selection of clothes. Not to mention, this group went above and beyond when it comes to showing appreciation to the troops here."
Following the show, Lt. Col. Arnaldo Santiago, Guayama, Puerto Rico, personnel officer for MNBG E, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ivelisse Ortiz, Gurabo, Puerto Rico, deputy personnel officer for MNBG E, both members of the Puerto Rico National Guard, presented the band members, models and crew members with certificates of appreciation.
The band members and models then joined the soldiers for an autograph session. In addition to signing posters for the soldiers, the performers also asked that all of the soldiers sign a poster for them.
"To me," Chey told the soldiers, "you are all important and amazing people, so I ask that you guys give me your autographs on a poster. I want to bring that home with me."
During the autograph session, free CDs were also handed out to the soldiers. The CDs are a collaboration of more than 30 bands and artists from the Dallas area.
"Five years ago, I began my mission to hand out one hundred thousand free CDs to the troops all over the world," Chey said. "We've seen the sacrifices you guys make and these CDs are a way to bring a little bit of home to you. I set this goal five years ago and I'm going to keep coming out to see you guys until I reach it."
The group's next show is set to be performed for U.S. troops in Germany.
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.27.2010 13:03 |
| Story ID: | 58925 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 212 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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