Josh Turner headlines Reserve band's final Independence Day concert

Published July 6, 2012

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga -- American country music superstar Josh Turner and his The Tonkin' Honkies band got hands clapping and feet thumping at the this year's Independence Day concert in Warner Robins July 2.

Turner's new album, "Punching Bag," was rated No. 1 on Billboard's Country Albums and No. 4 in Billboard 200 during the week of June 30.

Members of the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve kicked off the 2 ½-hour show with a variety of musical selections including several rousing performances by its Pipe Band, the only pipe band in the Department of Defense.

After warming up the estimated audience of 20,000, guest artist Angie Johnson of NBC's "The Voice" fame accompanied the band and sang several numbers from her recent repertoire, including "Rolling in the Deep." She told the audience she felt like she was "home" and credited the Reserve band with helping launch her professional singing career.

"This is a great event and a rare opportunity for everyone from the base and the region to get together," said Lt. Gen Charles E. Stenner Jr., chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, in a pre-concert announcement. "What better way to do that than relaxing with great music and one of the most impressive fireworks shows around.

"We've been putting on this concert for 30 years now, and it just keeps getting better and better each year. Josh Turner is a great performer and a strong supporter of the military, so we're really looking forward to having him bring his show here."

Turner is one of the youngest artists to be voted into the Grand Ole Opry.

He repeatedly thanked the audience and said he was honored to perform for them and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines serving around the world. Segments of the show were broadcasted on American Forces Television for the service members and their families overseas.

Johnson identifies herself with members of the military because she is staff sergeant with the 571st Air Force Band, which belongs to the 131st Bomb Wing, Missouri Air National Guard.

"We're also very excited to see Angie Johnson come back and perform with our own Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve," said Stenner, referring to Johnson's service with the Reserve band. "We're understandably proud to see how her musical career has taken off."

Maj. Don Schofield, commander of the Reserve band, said the band's half-century relationship with the local community has been a good one.

"The Band of the Air Force Reserve is proud to have been a community partner for more than 50 years with Middle Georgia," Schofield said. " The Independence Day concert is a way that the Air Force Reserve can say 'thank you' to the uniformed members, families of those who serve, and employers of reservists who continue to support our worldwide missions."

The concert was the band's 30th and final Independence Day concert. The band is scheduled to inactivate starting this year, and members of the band will be reassigned to other Air Force bands.

The celebration festivities began with the National Anthem and an F-15 fighter jet flyover at 8 p.m. The event features a night of music, fireworks and family entertainment.