The United States Military is known for its service, but some may not know that they have bands inside each branch of service.
The Air Force has a variety of bands ranging from jazz to rock. One of the bands, Blue Steel came to the Columbia Theatre last Thursday.
“The Air Force Academy Band has several different units within it that function, so it has a concert band, a marching band, a country band, a rock band,” said bass player and musical director Staff Sergeant Colin R. Truedell.
Truedell referred to Blue Steel as, “the top 40, rock ensemble” of The Air Force.
The band took their audience on a journey through the decades all the way to modern day music while including history in the mix. Between each musical decade set, there was a recording that played containing information on what was going on with the United States Air Force at the time of that decade.
After starting with the “Star Spangled Banner,” the band continued with the 1940s hit, “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin. From there they played songs like Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes,” Kansas’, “Carry On Wayward Son,” Michael Jackson’s “PYT” and Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time.”
Following Britney Spears, the stage lights went dark and they took a moment to remember 9/11 with Truedell playing a rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
Keyboardist, guitarist and vocal director Senior Airman Craig Larimer then spoke about how each person that was lost left a life and family behind.
“The only things those families will get back, unfortunately, is a memory of their lost loved one or maybe some of their things: their shoes sitting next to their bed, their clothes hanging in their closet,” said Larimer.
Larimer also took a moment to talk about the tragedies Louisiana has faced with Katrina and the recent flooding. He then sang the song “I Drive Your Truck” which he described as a “good old country song” that describes a father’s struggle of losing his son in Iraq who left behind his truck.
After this, the band played the “Armed Forces Medley” and asked that as each force, the veterans or those who had served in that force would stand up. People from the balcony to the floor stood, both elderly and young. One man had a hard time standing so his wife helped him stand. Some people were tearing up by the end of the song, but left encouraged and full of happiness when the band played “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake.
Every member in the band had something to say about what an honor it is to be a part of something that they enjoy which goes beyond them and their talent.
Whether it may be touring in the states or playing for the troops, Blue Steel brings some great music and encouragement wherever they go to recruit.
The band consists of five members Truedell, Larimer, drummer/percussionist Staff Sergeant Quincy L. Brown, guitarist Staff Sergeant Joseph Gacioch and vocalist Staff Sergeant Danielle Diaz.
To learn more about Blue Steel or other units of the Air Force Academy Band, visit their website usafacademyband.af.mil or find them on Facebook.