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Matthew JC and The AllStars Rock Camp Bondsteel
(October 30, 2010) | 
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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. |
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Matthew JC and the AllStars perform for the soldiers of Multinational Battle Group East at the theater at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Oct. 20,
2010. The show, which is called Matthew JC and the AllStars Rock Runway Show, included a band playing contemporary rock music and five fashion models, modeling designer clothing. |
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"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. | |
Article and photo by Army Sgt. Gerard Boffen
130th Public Affairs Detachment
Copyright 2010
Provided
through DVIDS
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