Rock band reaches out to Djiboutian villages

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. Brandon McCarty
  • Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Public Affairs
DJIBOUTI, Africa (AFPN) --  The U. S. Central Command Air Forces Expeditionary band "Thunder Roll" entertained audiences in local villages around Djibouti City during their summer concert series in Africa Aug. 8 to 10. Their stops included the villages of Hol Hol and Danerjog.

The CENTAF band deployed to the area of operations with the primary mission of entertaining U.S. servicemembers. However, their trip to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonier allowed them to experience something new.

Through a humanitarian mission of capacity building and military training to help Africans help themselves, CJTF-HOA conducts operations such as well-drilling, school construction, medical and veterinary civic action programs and military-to-military training.

The CENTAF band was able to contribute to the CJTF-HOA mission through partnership building.

During the one-hour concert at Hol Hol, members of Thunder Roll shook hands with the Djiboutians, and through an interpreter, spoke with the children who were clapping and cheering during the whole show.

"I loved seeing all of the kids enjoying the music," said Tech. Sgt. Shonda Winkler, CENTAF band lead vocalist. "I am a music teacher in civilian life for an elementary school. Seeing the children out here in Africa having fun makes me think of my students back home. Music is a universal language."

While in the Djiboutian village Danerjog, Thunder Roll was welcomed by the village chief and played for 90 minutes at the school house.

The villagers sang and danced along to the performance, and one villager sang a solo of "I Feel Good," by James Brown.

"I love this," said Master Sgt. Erika Stevens, CENTAF vocalist and keyboard player.  "I never thought I would step foot in Africa, much less get to interact with and play for the locals. This experience is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am happy to have been part of."

Forging back to their primary mission of performing for the U.S. servicemembers, after a long day in Djibouti City, the band played during the evening at the Camp's New Cantina.

"What a fun crowd!" said Sergeant Winkler. "I really felt the energy from all of the servicemembers."

Servicemembers were invited to the stage to sing and play the cow bell during the band's performance of cover songs. Lt. Col. John Mahinis, CJTF-HOA safety officer, played lead guitar during a rendition of "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad)," by T-Bone Walker.

"I love to jam," said Colonel Mahinis. "Any time I get a chance to play with skilled musicians, it's awesome!"

The CENTAF band is from Florin, Texas. Besides Sergeants Stevens and Winkler, Thunder Roll members include Staff Sgt. James Doyle (drums, percussion), Staff Sgt. Randy Roberson (lead guitar), Master Sgt. August Wenck (bass guitar), Capt. Jeffery Matthews (trombone), Senior Master Sgt. Mark Bruehl (saxophone), Senior Master Sgt. John Cornachionne (trombone), and Staff Sgt. Clay Allen (sound engineer).

Thunder Roll tours approximately 80 days a year to expeditionary locations around the world.

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