CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
A Team Charleston member was one of the nine contestants in the Air Mobility
Command Icon competition held at Scott AFB, Ill., Oct. 23.
Senior Airman A. David Verde from the 437th Aerial Port Squadron was selected to compete in the contest after coming in second place during the base-level competition for AMC Icon in July.
"This was a good chance for us to showcase the talent we have here at Charleston AFB," said Laura Abell, 437th Force Support Squadron marketing director. "While we didn't place in the final competition at Scott AFB, we were still able to take part in, what I hope to be, an annual event."
AMC Icon, loosely based around the hit TV show "American Idol," featured vocalists from all 11 AMC bases. The AMC finalists were named the best Airmen amateur vocalists at their respective base-level competitions held earlier this year.
After performing Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," Airman Verde was excited about his chance to compete.
"It was like no other experience I've ever had," he said. "I've sung in front of a crowd before, but with the live band and the crowd at Scott AFB it was so energetic. I felt like a true rock star."
The first place spot at the AMC level competition went to Airman 1st Class Johanna Brooks from Fairchild AFB, Wash., second place went to Airman 1st Class Naomi Nadeau of Dover AFB, Del., and third place went to Master Sgt. Robert Martin from Travis AFB, Calif.
In addition to winning the competition, Airman Brooks earned $1,000 in cash and a special invitation to audition with Tops in Blue. For capturing second and third place, Airman Nadeau and Sergeant Martin earned $600 and $400 respectively.
While Airman Verde was selected to compete in the AMC Icon, it was Sabrina Begay, wife of Staff Sgt. Marc Begay who actually took first place during the Charleston AFB Icon competition. This is because the base-level contest was open to military members, family members and civilians 18 years of age or older, but it was only open to Airmen at the command level.
While Airman Verde didn't place in the command-level competition, he is looking forward to another chance to compete again.
"I just found out they are doing another Icon but, at this time, I don't think I can think of a song that can top the one I picked this year," he said. "I've already started thinking of what I can do next time, but yes, I will definitely try out again for AMC Icon ... it was a blast!"
For Airman Verde, the highlight of the competition was the interaction with those who were also taking part.
"Truly, it was the people I bumped into throughout the week, from everyone working the event and the band to the other contestants," Airman Verde said. "I think of everyone I met. My favorite was the day after the performance while checking out," he said. "People would come up to me to shake my hand and say 'you're the Bohemian Rhapsody guy' ... it was very flattering."
(Mark Diamond, Headquarters AMC Public Affair, contributed to this story.)