Posted on May 31, 2014
SPC Frank Podlaha
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I love live music, and I remember many buddies in the Army that played guitar, piano, whatever. Had many fun jams in the barracks, parks, German beer halls, etc. Would love to hear some stories.
Posted in these groups: 8cf03090 MusicianF811e08a Music
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SGT Bobby F.
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I currently play guitar for (and was previously singing for) a rock band made up of all the different branches service members here in Okinawa. We're not trying to strike it rich and live that total rockstar lifestyle or anything, but with our mix of covers and originals we've made a fairly big mark here. We've played everything from all the different posts' E-Clubs to local festivals all over the island. If it wasn't for our conflicting schedules we'd have made a small tour of the mainland.
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SPC Frank Podlaha
SPC Frank Podlaha
>1 y
Super cool! Do you have any youtubes or soundcloud tracks we can listen too?
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SGT Bobby F.
SGT Bobby F.
>1 y
You can listen to a couple songs at http://raisingapollo.bandcamp.com, or search for Raising Apollo Okinawa on Youtube for a couple early show clips.
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SPC Frank Podlaha
SPC Frank Podlaha
>1 y
Hardcore! \m/
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SGT Craig Northacker
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I spent 25 years in the entertainment and sports business representing prominent groups, athletes and others as a CPA. We are in the process of taking the Rockingham SPeedway out of foreclosure just outside of FT Bragg if and when the bankers and their lawyer remove their heads from their rectums. We are forcing the issue, however, and I have already rented it so we have possession to put in a major reintegration center for all our military, veterans and families, and our disabled friends. We are creating about a thousand jobs there, and racing great Andy Hillenburg will be running the racing side as we build the economic and assisted, independent and transitional housing area to complement our economic development programs, vocational training, PTSD and Moral Injury programs, specialized programs for women and families, and so on. Plus, we are nationwide in scope.
On that lengthy note, we are hosting a July 4 weekend celebration, and I would like to see what the interest is of our fellow musicians to be able to jam. We will provide a backline and audio, and also film it for our own individual posterity. We will have a monster truck event, a bbq cookoff between different service mess team with their own grillmaster advisors, and a lot of other fun stuff for the entire family. There will be no admission if I get my way, or we will ask for a can or box of food as admission to give to the local food pantry.
So give me a shout - what do you think?

Be well, Craig (proud boonie-rat and guitarist).
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SGT Craig Northacker
SGT Craig Northacker
9 y
will do!
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MSG Senior Supply/Service Sergeant
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I'm up in age now, but back in 1964/65, while stationed at Kadena Okinawa (USAF), I was a lead guitar player in a band with other airman. We played all over the island. The kicker was that the lead singer was a senior NCO and worked in Operations. He scheduled the practice alerts, so naturally we never had to worry about a gig/alert problem. We were also asked to play a benefit (freebie) at the Senior NCO club which conflicted with another gig. The senior NCO "mafia" gave us a choice. Play the benefit or never play again. We did the benefit. When I was in, pay was $90 a month, so the money we got from playing really helped. I have a receipt for $100.0 for a gig at the Kadena Airman's club. In 1964 that was "BIG" money. Loved doing it and continued playing in civilian life.
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MSG Senior Supply/Service Sergeant
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9 y
Forgot to add. While on Okinawa, we "The Thangs" played the going away party for the 173 ABN BGD. They were the first unit to "Officially deploy to Vietnam. They were Army and after three songs, a Marine walked, then all hell broke loose. It turned into a riot ( I still have the Stars and Strips headline article). Since I was AF with a civilian type haircut, a little Airborne guy walked up to me and said, "if your Air Force, I'm going to kick you a**. I told him "Nope, I'm with the USO. Over here to entertain the troops. Moral ....live to play another day.
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