Talent Show - Military Style

Bagram, Afghanistan

 

 

If you find yourself deployed here there are lots of things you can find yourself doing. For example; convoy missions, patrol, physical training, meetings, and more.

 

One day I found myself in a Talent Show...

 

It was more of a contest American Idol style. An email was sent to everyone stationed on Bagram to promote the event and solicit the interest of potential contestants.  Auditions were held to select candidates for the contest which would take place on April 13^th 2008 at 18:00 hours (6:00pm on a 12 hour clock). On the day of the show, there were about thirteen contestants. Some played a guitar and sang; some sang their heart out, another recited a poem and one just danced a translation of a poem.

 

The audience and the panel of judges really seemed to be enjoying themselves with every act that took the stage.  I was sixth on the list of performers, and when it was time, the MC announced “From Las Vegas, Sergeant Deborah Galan who will perform a Tribute to Selena.”

 

 

I remember walking out on the Clam Shell stage, in costume - hair, makeup, all inspired by Selena, and at the first peak of stage lights I heard the precious sounds of ooh’s and awe’s as a wonderful audience of service members revealed their excitement at the sight of someone with a striking resemblance to Selena.  As the heavy metal guitar tracks played the slow intro to Como La Flor the audience patiently anticipated those meaningful lyrics with the lively cumbia. It was a fascinating experience for me. During the instrumental break I danced a fast cumbia and yelled out to the crowd “Viva Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Salvador, USA” and more. With each country they hollered and cheered.  I finished my performance with the Spanish spoken words used by Selena to end her last concert in Houston. An English translation, Hugs and kisses to each an every one of you and I will be back real soon. Chai. I was received with so much joyfulness. Now if I could just win the judges over. My performance ended and it was time to face the judges.  Fortunately, they had nothing but good things to say, and I was relieved.

 

After the last act returned from the stage we were all called back on line to the stage while they tallied up the total scores. In first place winning with a score of 195 points a young man who san the song Easy by the Commodores. In second place, winning by a score of 194, …The Selena Tribute.

 

 

This audience scored high as well for diversity. I would have never imagined such an outcome. An entire audience of service members from different walks of life and a panel of judges made up of everything from Sergeant majors to Colonels. Yet despite the fact that every word sung or spoken word throughout my act was in Spanish, they voted their conscious. They voted for Selena. After the awards I was asked to do another one of her songs. By popular demand,  Bidi bidi bom bom. And the rest was history, Bagram history. And one more place with a trace of Selena.