Published: December 14, 2009
Command Performance Presents: A Holiday Special for the Troops
The Holiday Special, the third in a series of specials, marks the first featuring full length performances. This holiday edition includes music performed for the troops by various artists including: Aaron Lewis, Dave Koz, Flyleaf, Kellie Pickler, Orla Fallon, Papa Roach, Saving Abel, Straight No Chaser and switchfoot.
Over the last few months the Pentagon Channel has gone on location to record special holiday song performances and greetings to air for the troops stateside and overseas.
Featured songs range from original pieces to a cover of Elvis' Blue Christmas, a jazzy Santa Baby and more!
One of the first artists to participate, Jazz artist David Koz was honored to provide music for this special. "Especially at holiday time, our minds and hearts go out to the men and women of our armed services dedicating their lives selflessly so that we may enjoy the comforts and safety of home," he said.
Not all featured artists are American but still wanted to show how much they appreciate the service and sacrifice of the troops. Irish born Orla Fallon, former Celtic Woman member, said "It was such an honor and a privilege to be asked to perform at this special Command Performance. It was a very small way of saying thanks to the very special people who give so much to us all to protect our freedom."
An artist familiar with the military, Jon Foreman, lead singer of Switchfoot said, "Coming from a military town like San Diego, we're well acquainted with the sacrifices that enlisted men and women make for their country. We're honored to be able to play a few tunes for them."
The Pentagon Channel is excited to provide this special to the troops to provide a unique taste of home for the holidays while they are deployed. "Having previously been deployed to Afghanistan, I know what it's like to be away from family during the holidays," remarks Pentagon Channel host SSgt Brian Buckwalter. "I know this piece will bring some joy to the men and women serving over there now. We hope this shows them that they are not forgotten about during this holiday season."
In keeping with the holiday spirit, Command Performance is also happy to bring a little something extra...stocking stuffers! Command Performance had many more original musical performances that couldn't fit into the holiday special and we decided those performances were too great to miss. Located on the Pentagon Channel website at www.pentagonchannel.com/stockingstuffer, our special gift performances are headlined by the a capella group "Straight, No Chaser" with their unique version of the "Twelve Days of Christmas". You'll also hear more songs from Fly Leaf, Papa Roach, Deer Tick...and more!
The Command Performance Holiday Special will debut on Dec. 16th and run through New Year's Day for troops around the world. Please check www.pentagonchannel.mil for times.
Command Performance is a weekly program designed to take a sneak-peek into the world of music and entertainment from a military perspective. It takes servicemembers backstage with their favorite performers by giving them the opportunity to pose questions in interviews aimed exclusively at members of the military. You can find all the Command Performance episodes at www.pentagonchannel.mil/commandperformance or at the iTunes music store.
About the Pentagon Channel
The Pentagon Channel, the Department of Defense's satellite television channel, broadcasts military news and information for and about the 2.6 million members of the U.S. Armed Forces -- Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Pentagon Channel helps ensure that U.S. forces remain the best informed in the world.
Today, the Pentagon Channel is available on-base to more than 1.3 million service members who live and work on over 370 military bases, camps and installations in the U.S. The channel is also available to the 800,000 service members and their families serving overseas in 178 countries via the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).
The Pentagon Channel reaches more than 18 million households through commercial distribution on satellite and cable systems nationwide. DISH Network, Verizon FiOS and divisions of Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Charter, Mediacom, RCN, Armstrong, Midcontinent, Knology, GCI, and a number of smaller cable companies and local access channels in communities around the country carry the Pentagon Channel.
In addition, Pentagon Channel programming is streamed live 24/7 at http://www.pentagonchannel.mil, is available via video-on-demand, and podcast - both audio and video - from this website.
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