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Sevendust Rocks The Troops
July 20, 2008
I absolutely love it when I hear about different bands who take the time to go to Iraq and Afghanistan to entertain the Troops deployed in those places. It really helps morale, when they’re able to take some time from the day to day life in the combat zone, to relax and enjoy the music of these artists.
One of the latest groups to perform for the Troops in Afghanistan is the heavy metal band Sevendust, who performed at BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan on July 12th as the last stop in their USO tour. They had the crowd of Soldiers rocking as they performed an acoustic set, which they generally don’t do. Following the performance, a Soldier was brought up on stage and allowed to smash a guitar. That Soldier was also given one of their guitars. I’m sure he was thrilled. Other Soldiers were given a set of bongos and another guitar. By the time they were through, they’d given away pretty much every instrument they came with.
“I never thought anybody could ‘jam out’ acoustically like they did,” said Army Sgt. Mark Decker, of Company B, 101st Airborne Division Special Troops Battalion.
The Troops who attended the show, couldn’t say enough good things about the performance. The band made sure to stick around, ensuring that every servicemember who wanted an autograph, a free copy of their CD or a picture with the group, were able to get one.
“I think they were awesome,” said Air Force Capt. Vanessa Mahan, 455th Aerial Expeditionary Wing. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a hardcore band here, so it’s kind of refreshing.”
Recognizing the importance of the job our deployed Troops are doing, the band members all agree that they’d love to be part of another USO tour.
“If it wasn’t for you guys over here, [the Taliban] would be over there, [in the United States],” Lajon “LJ” Witherspoon, Sevendust’s lead singer, said during the performance.
“This, to us, has been the best thing that’s ever happened in our lives,” Witherspoon said. “As soon as you guys will have us back, we’ll be back.”
It’s refreshing to hear about celebrities who understand the importance of our Troops mission. I’m sure that it meant a lot to the men and women at Bagram. Hopefully we’ll hear about Sevendust doing another USO tour soon.
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