Stars, Icons, sing for glory, prizes

Jocelyn Stainback sings "Someone Like You" during the Air Mobility Command's AMC Icon singing competition Aug. 16 at Tommy B's Community Activities Center here. Stainback, a college student from Colorado Springs, Colo., and wife of 1st Lt. Bill Stainback, 2nd Air Refueling Squadron KC-10 pilot, earned first place and won $500. Although she won the local competition, her status as a civilian won't allow her to progress to the command level as only active duty Air Force can advance the final round in Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Stainbeck also took first place in the Army's Operation Rising Star and received another $500. She has the opportunity to advance to the finals in that competition held in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy/Released)

Stars, Icons, sing for glory, prizes

1st Lt. Mike Washington, 87th Force Support Squadron services flight originally from Fayetteville, N.C. (center), Sgt. 1st Class Eric Turner, Joint Readiness Center noncommissioned officer and AMC Icon local winner last year originally from South Philadelphia (right), and Ardith Bowers, a retired entertainment specialist with the Army's Morale, Welfare and Recreation originally from Lake County, Ill. (left), judge contestants during AMC Icon competition held at Tommy B's Community Activities Center Aug. 16. The judges also provided scored and provided input to participants during the Army's Operation Rising Star singing competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy/released)

Stars, Icons, sing for glory, prizes

Senior Airman Benjamin Florez, a ramp specialist or "port dawg" with the 305th Aerial Port Squadron, originally from El Paso, Texas, sings "If I ain't got you" during the AMC Icon singing competition held at Tommy B's Community Activities Center Aug. 16. Although Florez took second place, earning $300, he will be heading to the next stage of competition at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., because he is active duty Air Force and first place went to a dependent. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy/Released)

Stars, Icons, sing for glory, prizes

Published Aug. 24, 2012
By 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- An electric buzz drifted through the air moments before two different singing competitions began Aug. 16 and 17 at Tommy B's Community Activities Center here.

The 87th Force Support Squadron hosted two service-specific singing competitions. The Air Force's Air Mobility Command-sponsored AMC Icon while the Army sponsored Operation Rising Star.

Icon, a one-day event held Aug. 16, featured ten Air Force and Army service members and their families. Icon is open to service members or authorized 87th FSS patrons over the age of 18 but only active-duty Air Force can advance to the next round at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Three individuals from JB MDL served as judges for both competitions.

Contestants were judged on a number of different factors to include intonation, tone quality, precision, presence, appearance and poise. Judges also verbally critiqued each contestant after his or her performance.

"This is a wellspring of talent," said Washington. "There were a variety of styles on display and the winners were outstanding. You could really see who exhibited a sense of control."

Jocelyn Stainback earned first place in the AMC Icon. Stainback is the wife of 1st Lt. Bill Stainback, 2nd Air Refueling Squadron KC-10 Extender pilot, from Colorado Springs, Colo. Stainback won $500 which she plans to either invest or spend. Although she won the local competition, her status as a civilian won't allow her to progress to the command level.

"It's amazing; I'm honestly in shock," said Stainback. "I used to sing choir in high school, but this is my first time competing. I think I'll do more competitions to get more experience."

Senior Airman Benjamin Florez won second place, earning $300. He will be heading to the next stage of competition because of his active-duty Air Force status. Florez is a ramp specialist or "port dawg" with the 305th Aerial Port Squadron, originally from El Paso, Texas.

"It's very humbling," said Florez, who has no formal music training. "I'm just happy to get the chance for more exposure."

Staff Sgt. Oliver Dagum, training instructor with the 305th APS, won $200 for placing third in the contest. Dagum is originally from Tulsa, Okla.

The Rising Star competition was a two-day event. Semifinals kicked off the show Aug. 16 and concluded with finals on Aug. 17. Like AMC Icon, this competition was open to service members, DOD employees and their families 18 and older, but anyone could potentially go to the next round in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Ten contestants, many of whom also competed in AMC Icon, sang in the Rising Star a cappella round. Those 10 were cut down to six who competed Aug. 17.

The Rising Star competition followed the same format as AMC Icon. Singers performed with musical accompaniment, however; half the scoring vote came from the audience. Audience members who ordered meals were given an opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite singer.

Stainback again took first place in Rising Star winning $500. Amber Jeffries, who was last year's Rising Star winner, took second place, earning $250. Jeffries is a biology student and daughter of Master Sgt. Donna Jeffries, 514th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs superintendent. Third place went to Senior Airman Ciara Arias-Bergeron, 305th Maintenance Squadron munitions inspector, from Fayetteville, N.C., who earned $100.

"Honestly I had a rough time with the song choice this time," said Stainback who sang "God Bless America." "I came here at 3 p.m. not knowing what song I was going to sing; I just settled on this one because I knew the words. I'm really grateful for this opportunity and I'm really excited. It's been a lot of fun."

Stainback's performance will be sent to Rising Star organizers and compared with other winners from around the world to determine if she will earn a spot to compete in the top 12 final round at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in December.