The 30th annual Independence Day Concert performed by the Air Force Reserve Command Band will be held July 2 at McConnell-Talbert Stadium on South Davis Drive in Warner Robins.
Joining the band this year is country music superstar and multi-award winner Josh Turner. One of the youngest country music artists to be voted into the Grand Ole Opry, Turner says he is glad to be coming to Warner Robins.
“I’m really looking forward to playing for the troops this year,” he said, “and as I come from a patriotic background with my ancestors having served as far back as the Civil War, this will come from my heart.”
The Hannah, S.C., native is a double–platinum-selling-singer who has sold more than 5 million albums. “I don’t ever want to take anything for granted,” he said about his success. “I’ve learned from certain people that it takes a lot of hard work, passion and love for what you do to have longevity in this career.”
Turner has had numerous multi-week No. 1s, including “Your Man,” “Would You Go With Me,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and “All Over Me.” His newest single, “Time is Love” from his upcoming album “Punching Bag,” was recently released and is now available on iTunes.
Also singing in the concert this year with the Air Force Reserve Command Band is Staff Sgt. Angie Johnson, vocalist with the 571st Air Force Band and season 2 contestant on NBC’s “The Voice,” which stemmed from her well-known performance that was uploaded to YouTube. The 571st Air Force Band belongs to the 131st Bomb Wing, Missouri Air National Guard.
“Being a vocalist in the Band of the Air Force Reserve got me where I am today,” Johnson explained. “Being afforded the opportunity to connect with my fellow service members through music has been the biggest honor of my life,” she said.
“We’re very excited to see Angie Johnson come back and perform with our own Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve,” said Lt. Gen Charles E. Stenner Jr., chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command. “This is a great event and a rare opportunity for everyone from the base and the region to get together -- what better way to do that than relaxing with great music and one of the most impressive fireworks shows around,” Stenner continued.
More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the show this year at McConnell-Talbert Stadium. But in addition to that, Stenner said the concert will be broadcast on the American Forces Network television to troops deployed all over the world. “This is no small or individual effort to pull this show off, so we greatly appreciate the help from all our partners in the city of Warner Robins and from the many business sponsors who all teamed up to make this happen,” Stenner explained.
Gates open at 6 p.m. for the free event. The festivities begin at 8 p.m. with the national anthem and an F-15 fighter flyover followed by a night of music, fireworks and family entertainment.
Attendees are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for seating on the infield.
Refreshments will be available through concession stands. Any bags or containers brought into the stadium are subject to search.
No pets, no alcoholic beverages and no glass containers are allowed at this family event. For further information visit www.afrc.af.mil.
Marsha Priest Buzzell is the executive director of the Warner Robins Convention & Visitors’ Bureau and may be contacted at 478-922-5100 or cvb@wrga.gov.
