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Berkeley welcomes AF band

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paula Goetz
  • USAF Band of the Golden West
BERKELEY, Calif. --  In the coastal town of Berkeley, people of all ages and backgrounds came to celebrate America's freedom with a day of free live music and family activities on July 4.

"The Blue Yonders," attired in their specialized performance uniforms which feature kilts, was the first band to take the stage. The group is an Irish folk and Americana band that is one of seven component ensembles in the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West from Travis Air Force Base.

The band's presence and performance entertained and successfully inspired the patriotism of the audience members.

The organizer of the event, Lisa Bullwinkel, said, "Because The Blue Yonders played pop music and wore kilts with their uniforms, it took the militaristic edge out of their performance and they were very friendly. They did remind us about people serving and the audience applauded. I heard a lot of wonderful comments about how everyone really liked their music and not one anti-military comment all day."

The purpose of Air Force bands is to organize professional Airman musicians to harness the power of music to inspire immediate, positive, and long-lasting impressions of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America.

"We were incredibly well received," said Staff Sgt. Paul Wells, the musical director of the band. "We even drew a crowd during our sound check and they came back for the performance. No one was expecting an Air Force band to play Blue Grass and Irish folk music."

"I hope they, or one of the other musical groups can come back again," said Bullwinkel. "Thank you so much for your service and your music."