The performers for this year’s Sound Off for Vets concert, scheduled for May 19, 2012 on City Island, all possess strong ties to U.S. Military service. The show is an effort to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. The performers for the show are:
Although three of the performers have played this event before, newcomer Rhyne McCormick is particularly excited to be a part of this year’s show. McCormick served in the U.S. Air Force from 1987 to 1996 before launching his successful career as a performer and recording artist.
“[I] absolutely [want to do this show],†McCormick said recently, “I’m a vet.â€
The events organizer, Chris Nelson, is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served from 1983 until 2004.
“After serving in the military,†Nelson explains, “I wanted to give something back using my music. This is a way that I can do that while doing something I feel really proud of.â€
The band Shift Seven played the first two Sound Off concerts in June 2010 and May 2011, and Michael Anthony Smith and the Dirty, Thieving Gypsies played last year. Both of these bands have relatives serving in the military.
There are only four acts this year due to a Harrisburg Senators baseball game scheduled for later that day. The event will take place during the 11th Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration and will be located at the base of the stairs leading towards the ball field.
The 11th annual Armed Forces Day–the ultimate extreme military makeover–will once again return, RAIN OR SHINE, to the shores of Harrisburg’s City Island on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Armed Forces Day 2011 is a FREE, FUN-FILLED, FAMILY event that transforms City Island into a bustling military base for one day. In addition to great food, this year’s event will feature over 100 displays and equipment from all services and service-related groups including aviation, artillery, construction, employment information and recruiting booths, veterans’ resources, living history demonstrations and a wide variety of family and children’s activities and fitness challenges.
This year also marks the first time that there will be an MC, Mike Randazzo who will keep things going in between performances and conduct the prize drawings. Once again, Voyager Music will be providing the audio support and PA System for the event and Dale’s Drum Shop is providing a drum set for the bands to use during the concert.
Although operations appear to be winding down overseas, our wounded military veterans still need help and support to deal with their disabilities. In some cases, it may be a life-long struggle.
“As if they aren’t suffering enough already, many of America’s wounded heroes feel like they are being forgotten. But the injured warriors you have helped through WWP know they have not been forgotten — and they’re full of gratitude.”
With injury reports from Afghanistan no longer prominent in the news, wounded service members feel like they are ‘out of sight, out of mind,†Steven Nardizzi, the Executive Director for the WWP commented in a recent message to fundraisers.
The show is raising money for the WWP in a number of ways. There will be a ‘tip jar’ where audience members can contribute whatever amount they wish, wrist bands which can be purchased, and raffle tickets for a large selection of prizes contributed by local community businesses and individuals. Last year, Sound Off conduced two concert events and raised over $1000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. This year’s fundraising goal is to raise $1000 during this one event.
Nelson is confident that they will reach this goal.
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