Indie artists find 
new fans waiting 
for them at 
military bases around the world.

Whether you’re flat-footed, legally blind, or even a liberal from Massachusetts, the branch of the military known as Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) is looking for more than a few good men and women to do their part.

Charged by the Department of Defense to help entertain the troops overseas, the AFE is actively seeking talented U.S. musicians to perform at military bases around the world.

Unlike the affiliate organization, the U.S.O. (think Bob Hope) who coordinate celebrity tours for the troops (think Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders), the AFE focuses on booking up & coming talent – and over the past 14 months alone have helped over 300 U.S. indie acts reach new & receptive audiences.

And while the booking process may be a little more involved than the average stateside gig—this is the government after all—the rewards are innumerable.

In the fall of 2001 after a performance in Atlanta, a booking agent suggested that the Knoxville, TN Pop/Rock act, Jag Star submit a promo pack to the AFE for consideration. Although unfamiliar with the program, lead singer Sarah Lewis figured she had nothing to lose and added one more kit to the pile of packages she was sending out to bookers that week. For the next 2 years, as the band continued to attract audiences, gain airplay and favorable reviews, she completely forgot that she had even applied.

In January 2003, the AFE came calling. "They said that they had reviewed our package and would we be ready to leave for Afghanistan in 2-3 weeks. I was shocked. I almost deleted the email because it looked bogus and I didn’t recognize the address. I had completely forgotten about it, the idea that we would be playing around the world for troops seemed so unlikely, ridiculous, bizarre!"

At that point, Jag Star was a 5-person act and all the members, except the violin player were up for the challenge. "It actually worked out really well for us. To make up for the missing violin, we adapted the music and it forced me to spend more time on the piano than I had before and I really think that helped the act."

For the next few weeks, Sarah, guitarist J Lewis, bassist Jay Daniel and drummer Brad Williams, filled out paperwork, endured 7 different vaccinations to protect them from exotic diseases, and tried to prepare themselves for the adventure of a lifetime. They would spend the next 4 weeks living like soldiers, touring military bases in the most dangerous part of the world - Afghanistan, Kyrgystan, Pakistan, Qatar and Bahrain.

Sarah was concerned about whether the tour would be safe, "Operation Freedom" (aka "The War") was underway and international resentment towards the US was increasing. "There were a few times before we left that I doubted our decision," Lewis said. "But when we heard from people over there saying they were looking forward so much to us coming; that just tears at your heart. " The other band members were also anxious but felt that their risk would be nothing compared to what the troops had to endure.

In lieu of a fee, the AFE covers all expenses, coordinates all travel arrangements and pays each member a per diem of $150. Jag Star flew commercially from the US to Paris where they met up with their AFE escort. Flying from Paris to Moscow on a commercial Russian plane, the group knew that they weren’t in Kansas anymore. "The plane was rickety and very crowded – twice as many seats than an American plane and the engine was really loud. None of us understood Russian, not even our escort and no one on the plane spoke English" Lewis said.

From Moscow they flew to Kyrgystan, without Sarah’s luggage. Sarah spent the next few days wearing an Air Force issued combat uniform until her luggage was returned - literally minutes before they were to board a military transport to Afghanistan.

Their first 2 weeks were the most difficult. The malaria pills the band (and the troops) had to take before, during and after their tour, made Sarah and J ill with hallucinations and violent dreams. "The soldiers told us those symptoms don’t go away, you just gotta get used to them," said J.

The conditions, both living and performing, varied depending on where the base was located. For the most part the band slept in tents; sometimes surrounded by land mines, the sounds of distant explosions and at one point, Taliban flags. Some of the bases had to make an ad hoc stage for their performance; others boasted several nightclubs and an outdoor stage where Jag Star performed for 3,000 troops.

Despite the hardships, Jag Star is glad that they pursued the opportunity. "It’s been so wonderful, all the way around," says J Lewis. "The soldiers were so appreciative and we made a lot of new fans. We got a lot of press when we returned and the soldiers told their friends and family back home about us and now they come to our shows. It’s so rewarding to be able to do what you can for our soldiers who are risking their lives. And we’re the first Rock band to ever play Afghanistan!"

In fact, Jag Star was so well received that a few months after they returned stateside, the AFE invited them to tour some Pacific circuit bases in Hawaii, Singapore and Guam. Away from a hostile environment, the band enjoyed hotel-like accommodations, spent their days snorkeling and sightseeing and performed on large, well-equipped stages. Selling merchandise, forbidden during their Central Asian tour, was allowed on the South Pacific bases, so in addition to finding new fans, they managed to move a lot of merchandise.

wakingNorman, an aggressive acoustic Rock act from Texas, was also invited on a Pacific circuit tour, but their assignment did not require a bathing suit or snorkeling gear. We spoke to them as they were packing for, and again, in the middle of their 10-day tour of Alaskan bases.

Drummer Johnathon Carruth’s brother, a soldier stationed in Korea, told the band about the program. They downloaded the information packet and application from AFE’s website and submitted their music. After being favorably reviewed by AFE circuit managers, they were entered into a talent pool from which all six circuit managers’ select. A short while later, they were asked to do a tour.

"AFE called and told me the next tour they needed was Alaska. We didn’t hesitate, and we’re honored to play for the soldiers up there," says wakingNorman’s manager Pete DuPre. "We stay in military guest quarters, we eat with the troops, we move around their active bases... All of us thank the troops for what they do, yet they go out of their way by thanking us for playing music; you should see what they do for a day’s work."

Before they left the U.S. mainland, wakingNorman mobilized their fans to purchase the band's CD’s so that they could be distributed for free to the troops. A flood of people responded, many included personal notes of gratitude to the soldiers.

Chief Colonel Janice Long, head of the AFE program notes that since the outbreak of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom there’s been a surge of interest and support from artists who want to share their time and talent. Performers must be at least 18 years old and have a repertoire of non-offensive (i.e. no profanity, racist or sexist) lyrics and at least 75% must be cover material.

And, as troop morale dipped, the AFE’s budget increased. Priority is given to remote, isolated locations included in the Caribbean, European, Mediterranean, Balkans, South/Southwest/Central Asia and Pacific circuits. "Commanders and leadership throughout the Dept. of Defense recognize the essential role entertainment plays in providing a respite for the troops from the demands and hardships of long, difficult deployments," explains Long. "[It’s] a chance for them to recharge their batteries and forget for a few moments where they are."

A marketing/advertising plan targeting musicians, managers and booking agents is currently being developed by the AFE. But in addition to weighing the dangers abroad, artists considering an AFE tour should be aware of homegrown threats as well.

Jacqulyn L. Hampton, publicist for the program warned that the AFE has not contracted anyone to recruit acts for their tours, yet there are unscrupulous organizations posing as representatives for the agency.

"These bogus operations claim to represent us, then ask bands for a fee and personal information, such as social security numbers, driver license I.D. numbers, etc. claiming that they are required for a background check. There is never a fee involved with an AFE tour and we never ask for personal information until after a band has been selected and agreed to participate. Anyone who encounters such an operation should report them immediately to the AFE."

Regardless of whether you support or protest U.S. military actions, tens of thousands of your potential fans are a captive audience. Joining an AFE tour offers you the opportunity to support them and contribute to the soundtrack of history.