Two Canadian Forces charities will receive a $25,000 donation thanks, in part, to the stellar performance the RCAF Band members who recently participated in the Canada Sings reality show.
Their compelling musical number on national television on May 22 earned the RCAF team, named “Supersonic”, the $25,000 cash prize to be given to the charity or cause of their choice. The team chose the Soldier On and Military Families Funds.
Watch the video of the performance here: www.globaltv.com/canadasings/video/full+episodes/super+sonic+vs+positively+peel/video.html?v=2237982641
"The hard work and commitment demonstrated by Supersonic is inspirational," said Brigadier-General Fred Bigelow, Director General of Personnel and Family Support Services, who watched the performance.
"We are proud of their dedication to Support Our Troops programs which exemplify the care that exists in our community for Canadian Forces members and their families. Supersonic's contribution to the awareness and visibility of the Support Our Troops program will go a long way towards helping people."
Upon learning the judges’ decision at the end of the show the RCAF team appeared ecstatic.
“We put a lot of sweat into this piece, and being professional musicians – but not necessarily singers or dancers – we were determined to put on the best possible performance,” said Captain John Fullerton, RCAF Band commanding officer. “We had no idea if we would win, so when we heard our name called, the feeling was incredible.”
The episode of Canada Sings featuring the RCAF team included background clips of the team in rehearsals, footage of 17 Wing Winnipeg, Man., and personal profiles of some participating members.
Sergeant Mike Hall is a guitarist with the RCAF Band and a former heavy metal rocker who has toured with the Killer Dwarfs, Helix and opened for Iron Maiden. His epic tales of rock heroism made him a natural fit for the program’s profile interviews.
"This was the greatest team-building exercise I have ever been part of,” said Sgt Hall. “Over the past 25 years, I've performed in front of huge crowds, done lots of TV and videos, but it was always doing what I know how to do: play guitar.”
He added that he has never sung lead while dancing at the same time.
“Somehow, my band mates pulled me through this, so I’m happy and proud of how we supported such a worthy cause,” he said.
The actual performance lasted only minutes on screen, but was several weeks in the making. Aside from conducting interviews and rehearsals, internal approvals were sought for several aspects of the show’s production, much of which was filmed at 17 Wing.
The RCAF Band wishes to thank all those who offered assistance to enable this opportunity to come to fruition.
For those who missed it, the performance is expected to be available online within the next few weeks.
For more information on Support our Troops funds visit: www.SupportingOurTroops.ca
For more information on Canada Sings, visit: www.globaltv.com/canadasings/index.html
and http://www.insighttv.com/show/Canada+Sings.
Members of Supersonic (photo below)
(Left to Right – Front row) Sgt Cindy Scott, Cpl Marie-Pier Laflamme, Sgt Joshua McFarlane, Sgt Scott Foster.
(Left to Right - Middle row) Capt John Fullerton (RCAF Band's commanding officer), Sgt Mike Hall, PO2 Yvan Larocque.
(Left to Right - Back row) Sgt Jeff Cooper, Sgt David Grenon (Supersonic team captain), Sgt Bob VanDenBroek, Sgt Steve Champ, Sgt Mike Plummer, Sgt Fred Tucker.
