Former-Marine Drew Carey entertains troops in Baghdad

[thedrifter]

Former-Marine Drew Carey entertains troops in Baghdad


By Jason Chudy, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Monday, September 29, 2003


BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iraq — It was a standing room only, bring-your-own-gun evening as comedian Drew Carey headlined nearly two hours of comedy for troops in Iraq.

Carey and six other comedians performed two United Service Organizations shows in Baghdad for largely 1st Armored Division audiences Friday and Saturday, and another show Sunday in Tikrit for the 4th Infantry Division.

Much of Carey’s performance, thick with Army jokes, brought loud cheers from the audience and even a few smiles from the assembled front-row brass.

Carey’s only boos came when he announced that he was a former Marine. Some enterprising soldiers held up a large sign stating, “We forgive you Drew.”

Kathy Kinney, who played the makeup-heavy Mimi on TV’s Drew Carey Show, followed his opening, talking to the troops who filled in between helicopters and equipment at a large hangar at Saturday’s airport performance.

She received a large cheer from male soldiers when she explained one benefit of being away from home. “The longer you’re here the closer the Olsen twins get to being legal,” she said. The two girls, who starred in TV’s “Full House,” will turn 18 on June 13, Kinney said.

“Drew Carey Show” fan and 1st ID soldier 2nd Lt. Katrina Gawlik said Kinney’s performance was great, as was that of Vietnam veteran and Georgia native Blake Clark, whose act had a Southern twist.

“He talked about saying ‘fixin’ to’ and I can relate to that,” said Gawlik, who is also from Georgia. “When I start talking and say ‘I’m fixin’ to’ to people back home, they say ‘you’re what?’”

The three nights of off-colored jokes contrasted greatly with the monotony of the troops’ singular tan uniforms and area’s sandy landscape.

“This gets everybody’s minds off the war,” said Sgt. Richard Schnieder. “Every day here is a Monday. This breaks up the routine and makes everybody happy.”

Actor Bruce Willis and his blues band The Accelerators finished a Middle East USO tour last week, performing for 101st Airborne Division troops in Mosul. Actor Brian Dennehey and comedians from the Laugh Factory will be visiting troops at various locations in the region this week.



Jason Chudy / S&S
Comedian Drew Carey performs for a mostly 1st Armored Division crowd Saturday night in a hangar at Baghdad International Airport. He and six other comedians, including Drew Carey Show co-star Kathy Kinney, did three shows in Iraq, including two in Baghdad and one in Tikrit for 4th Infantry Division personnel.


http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?...&article=17781


Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

Collective Soul shines as Rota marks 50 years


By Scott Schonauer, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, September 28, 2003


NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain — Collective Soul’s melodic rock has taken the band to the top of the charts eight times.

On Friday, the alternative rock band had both Americans and Spaniards at Port Park jumping, bouncing up and down, stage-diving and screaming.

Not a bad way to celebrate an anniversary.

Collective Soul was the feature act at a concert held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a defense pact signed between the United States and Spain.

Playing on a stage that overlooked the base’s port area, the Georgia-based group rocked thousands of people who attended the fiesta.

“We are so grateful for all that you guys do for us,” lead singer Ed Roland told the crowd. “If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have a job.”

The Navy’s Sixth Fleet Band opened for the band, while Spanish flamenco dancers and singers followed. Rota was Collective Soul’s first stop on a short tour of military bases in Europe and the Middle East.

The band played its best hits, including “Shine,” “Gel,” “Heavy” and the “World I Know.”

Members also performed several songs from a new album they cut in the studio before leaving on the trip. The new album should be out early next year.

Band members said playing in front of U.S. servicemembers is one of the most enjoyable experiences. The group has played for American troops in Japan and South Korea.

“It’s the most gratifying show we’ve ever done,” Roland said hours before taking the stage.

“They’re so appreciative. Yet we’re the ones who appreciate what they did for us.”

Caitlin Wilson and Daniel Storm, both 16-year-old juniors at the base’s high school, said they liked how lead singer Ed Roland got close to the crowd.

“They were really personal with the audience,” Storm said.

“They made eye contact,” Wilson said.

The party did not end with the final song by Collective Soul. Flamenco dancers and singers took the stage. With their flowery dresses, they stood in sharp contrast to the rockers who performed minutes before them.

Many people left after Collective Soul signed autographs, but a good portion stayed late into the night.




Scott Schonauer / S&S
Collective Soul lead singer Ed Rowland, right, and lead guitarist Joel Kosch perform at Friday's 50th anniversary fiesta at Naval Station Rota in Spain. The concert also featured the Navy Sixth Fleet Band and Spanish flamenco dancers.


http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?...7&archive=true

Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

Joan Jett to land, perform at U.S. bases in Japan


By Roger Harnack, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, October 2, 2003



YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — You won’t have to put another dime in the jukebox to hear Joan Jett.

The 1980s-era rock ’n’ roll star will perform free of charge at three bases in Japan later this month.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts stormed onto the scene in 1982 with their No. 1 hit, “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll,” and a top 10 remake of Tommy James and The Shondells’ “Crimson and Clover.” They didn’t break the top 10 again until 1988, when they released “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts land next week in Japan for concerts in Osaka and Tokyo.

The band follows up those events with special performances Oct. 11 at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Oct. 13 at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, and Oct. 14 at Yokota. The base shows are open to all ages and are free, courtesy United Service Organizations.

The band also will hold meet-and-greet sessions with troops at Camp Foster, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and Camp Fuji, Japan. Although not yet scheduled, tour organizers say Jett and the band may conduct similar sessions after the Yokota and Yokosuka shows.

The band is touring in support of its upcoming DVD, “Real Wild Child: Video Anthology,” to be released Oct. 14; it will also unveil a new greatest-hits collection featuring two previously unreleased tracks: “Water Sign” and “Science Fiction.” The release is expected to be offered only in Japan.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joan Jett's schedule

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will perform several shows and meet U.S. military personnel while touring Japan.

Here’s the itinerary:

Oct. 5: Club Quattro, Osaka, 7 p.m. Tickets: 6,500 yen. (about $58.55)

Oct. 6: Festival Hall, Osaka, 7 p.m. Tickets: 8,000 yen. (about $72.10)

Oct. 7: Budokan Hall, Tokyo, 7 p.m. Tickets: 8,000 yen. (about $72.10)

Oct. 9: Club Quattro, Tokyo, 7 p.m. Tickets: 6,500 yen. (about $58.55)

Oct. 11: Oktoberfest at Camp Foster, 10 p.m., jam behind Camp Foster Field House. Free admission.

Oct. 12: Kadena Air Base meet-and-greet, 11:30 a.m., Kadena United Service Organizations. Camp Foster, 2 p.m. meet-and-greet at the post exchange. Free admission.

Oct. 13: Yokosuka Naval Base, 5 p.m. performance. Possible meet-and-greet after the show. Free admission.

Oct. 14: Yokota Air Base, 8 p.m. concert at Enlisted Club. Possible meet-and-greet after the show. Free admission.

Oct. 15: Camp Fuji, 11 a.m. meet-and-greet followed by lunch with the troops.

Joan Jett to land, perform at U.S. bases in Japan


By Roger Harnack, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, October 2, 2003



YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — You won’t have to put another dime in the jukebox to hear Joan Jett.

The 1980s-era rock ’n’ roll star will perform free of charge at three bases in Japan later this month.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts stormed onto the scene in 1982 with their No. 1 hit, “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll,” and a top 10 remake of Tommy James and The Shondells’ “Crimson and Clover.” They didn’t break the top 10 again until 1988, when they released “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts land next week in Japan for concerts in Osaka and Tokyo.

The band follows up those events with special performances Oct. 11 at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Oct. 13 at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, and Oct. 14 at Yokota. The base shows are open to all ages and are free, courtesy United Service Organizations.

The band also will hold meet-and-greet sessions with troops at Camp Foster, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and Camp Fuji, Japan. Although not yet scheduled, tour organizers say Jett and the band may conduct similar sessions after the Yokota and Yokosuka shows.

The band is touring in support of its upcoming DVD, “Real Wild Child: Video Anthology,” to be released Oct. 14; it will also unveil a new greatest-hits collection featuring two previously unreleased tracks: “Water Sign” and “Science Fiction.” The release is expected to be offered only in Japan.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joan Jett's schedule

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will perform several shows and meet U.S. military personnel while touring Japan.

Here’s the itinerary:

Oct. 5: Club Quattro, Osaka, 7 p.m. Tickets: 6,500 yen. (about $58.55)

Oct. 6: Festival Hall, Osaka, 7 p.m. Tickets: 8,000 yen. (about $72.10)

Oct. 7: Budokan Hall, Tokyo, 7 p.m. Tickets: 8,000 yen. (about $72.10)

Oct. 9: Club Quattro, Tokyo, 7 p.m. Tickets: 6,500 yen. (about $58.55)

Oct. 11: Oktoberfest at Camp Foster, 10 p.m., jam behind Camp Foster Field House. Free admission.

Oct. 12: Kadena Air Base meet-and-greet, 11:30 a.m., Kadena United Service Organizations. Camp Foster, 2 p.m. meet-and-greet at the post exchange. Free admission.

Oct. 13: Yokosuka Naval Base, 5 p.m. performance. Possible meet-and-greet after the show. Free admission.

Oct. 14: Yokota Air Base, 8 p.m. concert at Enlisted Club. Possible meet-and-greet after the show. Free admission.

Oct. 15: Camp Fuji, 11 a.m. meet-and-greet followed by lunch with the troops.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?...&article=17830

Sempers,

Roger