Scott AFB to host command 'Icon' final competition

  • Published
  • By Scott Black
  • Air Mobility Command Icon Program Marketing
Little Rock Air Force Base's Staff Sgt. Latanza Meabon-Whiteside, 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron, will compete in the Air Mobility Command Icon finals here, 6:30-9 p.m., Oct. 22.

"For the competition I will be singing Aretha Franklin's Chain of Fools which is an old classic that is sure to give my competitors a run for the money just off of lyrics alone," said Sergeant Meabon-Whiteside.

She said she's ready to hit the stage.

"I enjoy singing and performing. It gives me the opportunity to meet new and exciting people as well as serve as a positive ambassador for the Air Force," said Sergeant Meabon-Whiteside. "I look forward to representing Little Rock Air Force Base in the AMC Icon competition and hope to bring home the title."

Air Mobility Command will host the AMC Icon finals at the Scott Club with the event featuring a special performance by AMC's own Air Force Band of Mid America.

As an added feature, the command finals will be broadcast to AMC installations planning an Icon viewing party. All AMC installations will receive a DVD of the command performance for use on their installations.

"AMC Icon provides Air Force vocalists an opportunity to shine, and this year we have some truly exceptional talent," said Sam Parker, program manager for Icon.

AMC Icon is loosely based around the hit TV show, American Idol. Icon features active-duty Air Force vocalists who competed from all 12 AMC bases plus one competitor from an AMC affiliate unit.

Participants are competing for $2,000 in cash prizes, and the winner also receives a special invitation to audition with the Air Force Tops in Blue - the Air Force's premier entertainment showcase. One of last year's Icon contestants, Senior Airman Jeffery Collins from Dover AFB, is currently touring with Tops in Blue.

Other participants in the 2009 Icon command performance are:

Staff Sgt. Shawn Summers, Charleston AFB, S.C.
Tech. Sgt. Latisa Eddy, Dover AFB, Del.
Capt. Manuela Peters, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
Airman 1st Class Marshall Merriweather, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
Senior Master Sgt. Craig Hall, MacDill AFB, Fla.
Airman 1st Class Rachel Kleist, McChord AFB, Wash.
Staff Sgt. Doug Boren, McConnell AFB, Kan.
Master Sgt. Lisa White, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
Airman 1st Class Charlie Parker, Pope AFB, N.C.
Staff Sgt. Rick Bislich, Scott AFB
Staff Sgt. Janina Morrison, Travis AFB, Calif.
Senior Airman Anthony Kingston, Andrews AFB (AMC affiliate unit), Md.

The master of ceremonies for the command performance is Tech. Sgt Walter Campbell. Sergeant Campbell has toured with Tops in Blue performing throughout the United States and around the world.

Additionally, a special panel of judges will be on hand to select the best of the best. The judges include two St. Louis radio personalities, "Smash" from FM 103.3, and "Cornbread" from FM 92.3. The third member of the judges' panel, and special guest performer, is Stella Markou, director of vocal studies at the University of Missouri in St. Louis. Ms. Markou is also a local recording artist and theatrical performer.

"AMC Icon supports the command's commitment to the Year of the Military Family and promises to be an outstanding program," said Mr. Parker.

(Airman 1st Class Rochelle Clace, 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs contributed to this article)