"Halestorm" hits Landing Zone

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joe McFadden
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  More than 100 Airmen, civilians and music aficionados alike enjoyed a special acoustic performance by a hard rock band at the Hurlburt Field Landing Zone May 25.

Lzzy Hale, Joe Hottinger, Josh Smith and Arejay Hale of the group Halestorm played four songs, autographed CDs and posed for pictures with fans during the first concert ever held at the venue and the band's first appearance on a military installation.

The Landing Zone and the 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron marketing division partnered with a beach club in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., to bring the band to Hurlburt Field for a complimentary show.

"We definitely knew we had to step up our game when we came here, but we were blown away by this event," said Mr. Hottinger, lead guitarist.

From the opening note of the first song "It's Not You" to the last chord of "I Get Off," the room's sound system and ambiance reverberated with Ms. Hale's singing, Mr. Hottinger's guitar-riffing, Mr. Smith's bass-slapping and Mr. Hale's rhythm on a djembe drum.

"We wouldn't be able to do what we love if not for what every single one of you does here," said Ms. Hale, lead singer, to the majority military audience. "We want to thank you all here for serving. You enable the rock."

Col. Greg Lengyel, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, thanked the band for their performance and presented each member with a commander's coin. He also explained the history behind the souvenir and that it's awarded for excellence and distinction.

"I was completely taken aback by that and very honored to receive it," Ms. Hale said. "This was an amazing experience, and we were so glad to come here."

Event organizers like Robert Scott, community center supervisor, said the acoustics in the Landing Zone and its proximity to the dorms made it a perfect location for a live rock performance on behalf of Airmen living on base.

"This was the inaugural event of its kind held here, and it was much more than we expected," Mr. Scott said. "The turnout was great and it was enjoyed by all in attendance."

Attendees also got the chance to win copies of their album and tickets to the band's off-base concert for later that night. Spectators at that event said the band showed up in flight suits and dedicated their show to the Air Force.

One of the raffle winners, Airman 1st Class Amanda Mills-Saur, 505th Communications Squadron and Airman's Voice president, also kicked off the jam session by volunteering for a few taps on a cowbell. A fan of alternative music, she described the chance to see the band perform on base as "exciting."

"I'm glad a lot of people showed up, too," Airman Mills-Saur said. "It was a great opportunity to enjoy free music, and I hope we have more events like this in the future."

According to the band's Web site, the Hale siblings formed the band when they were in middle school in Red Lion, Penn., in 1997. Halestorm released their self-titled, debut album in 2009.