United States Navy Band Country Current
America's Navy is coming home to Chattanooga, one of 13 cities to host a performance by the United States Navy Band Country Current during its 2014 tour -- one of the Navy's signature outreach programs.
The United States Navy Band Country Current’s performance is scheduled for Sept. 13, 7 p.m. at the Soldier and Sailor Memorial Auditorium.
Review for the United States Navy Band Country Current:
The United States Navy Band Country Current is the Navy’s country-bluegrass ensemble. Under the direction of Senior Chief Musician Keith Arneson, Country Current is nationally renowned for its versatility and “eye-popping” musicianship, performing a blend of modern country music and cutting-edge bluegrass. This seven member ensemble employs musicians from diverse backgrounds with extensive high-profile recording and touring experience in the music scenes of Nashville, Tenn., New York, New Orleans and more. In the tradition of country music, each member is a skilled performer on multiple instruments. The band utilizes banjo, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, fiddle, electric bass, upright bass, dobro, pedal steel guitar and drum set.
One of the U.S. Navy Band’s primary responsibilities involves touring the country. All of the band’s primary performing units embark each year on concert tours throughout specified regions of the country, allowing the band to reach out to audiences in areas of the country that do not have opportunities to see the Navy's premier musical ensembles on a regular basis. The concerts are family-friendly events, meant to be entertaining to veterans, families, individuals and those interested in joining the Navy.
"America's Navy has only recently adopted the motto, 'Being There Matters,' but it's been a part of what we do for many years - through music - and therefore Navy bands are integral to our national security," said Capt. Brian O. Walden, the Navy Band’s commanding officer. "Today, Navy bands are still performing around the world, acting as agents of public diplomacy for the American government, improving relations with our allies and winning the hearts and minds with the universal language of music."
These national tours return following a year in which sequestration and its impact on outreach spending forced several of them to be suspended, said officials. Pentagon officials announced a plan Oct. 18 that enables the military services to resume conducting community and public outreach activities in 2014, albeit at a significantly reduced capacity.
"Community and public outreach is a crucial departmental activity that reinforces trust and confidence in the United States military and in its most important asset - people," Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in an internal memorandum to service chiefs and other military leaders. "These proactive engagements showcase our superior combat power, demonstrate readiness to defend the nation, and help to preserve the all-volunteer force."
All Navy Band performances are free and open to the public. For more information about this concert, please check out the band’s website at http://www.navyband.navy.mil/national_tour.shtml.