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Mirage Fulfills Soldier’s Rock and Roll Dreams in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrea Thacker
  • AFCENT Public Affairs - Combined Air and Space Operations Center
SOUTHEAST ASIA --  Getting your first gig in a rock and roll band doesn't happen very often for service members deployed to Iraq, but that's what happened to one Soldier when an Air Force band came to his base.

Spc. Andrew Walker had the opportunity to play with members of the Air Forces Central band Mirage in Mosul, Iraq, recently.

"It was a true honor to play with musicians of such caliber," the specialist said. "It was a great experience jamming with Mirage. Meeting them opened a whole new door of opportunity I was not aware of until now."

While Mirage's performance in Mosul was planned well in advance, Spc. Walker's certainly wasn't.

"It is not something one would expect while doing a tour of duty in Iraq," Spc. Walker said.
While preparing for their upcoming performance, Mirage band members heard blues guitar playing coming from nearby. Upon closer inspection, Staff Sgt. Bennett Weidemann and Senior Airman Tim Reeder found Spc. Walker playing some of his favorite songs for a few of his friends.

After hearing him play, we asked to join him on stage, said Sgt. Weidemann. We played some heavy blues riffs like "Born Under a Bad Sign" and some original songs written by Spc. Walker. Afterward, we invited him to join us during our upcoming concert.

Two days later, Spc. Walker showed up with his guitar, amp and the prospect of having his rock and roll fantasy fulfilled.

After Mirage took the stage and played selections of classic rock and rhythm and blues tunes to a joint audience, Spc. Walker got his chance as he was called to the stage.

The young Soldier jammed through his selection of blues, rock and his own original tunes, and was backed by the Mirage members.

"The crowd absolutely loved it, and the morale of all in attendance was lifted high into the night," Sgt. Weidemann said. "The power of music encompasses all. It has no limits, and cannot lose its strength even in the direst of circumstances."

Spc. Walker also believes in the power of music.

"I believe music can have a positive effect on troops. Having musicians come out and perform or having instruments available to soldiers can only have a positive response," the Tennessee native said. "Having something of that nature available for troops gives us something to look forward to - a short term goal. [It] helps keep our minds focused on positive things to unwind with at the end of the day."