Military Connection: Open Audition for Singing Vets: By Debbie Gregory

Everyone who has served their country in uniform possesses talents beyond what their military duties required. Many celebrated actors, comedians, writers, visual artists and singers are military Veterans. Many Veterans who leave the service look to pursue careers that utilize their talents and passions. For those who list singing as one of their passions, they are being invited to an open audition for the patriotic musical group 4TROOPS.

Since 2010, the Sony Music Veteran group, 4TROOPS, has been a professional touring musical ensemble. The group plays a variety of songs for all audiences, but specializes in patriotic themed songs and military audiences. In their debut year, 4TROOPS performed a concert on the retired aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid (CV-11) and even sang the National Anthem at the 2010 World Series.

Now Sony Music is looking to form a new group of singing Veterans to record music and tour the world as professional vocal performers. Sony is partnering with the Center for American Military Music Opportunities (CAMMO) to hold open auditions online.

All U.S. military Veterans with a verifiable honorable discharge are eligible to try out. Active duty personnel who are separating from service or starting terminal leave by March 1, 2015, are also eligible. National Guard and Reserve component service-members who are able to obtain permission to dedicate the time it takes to fulfill recording, promotional and performance obligations for the group are also invited to audition.

For the audition process, Sony Music Entertainment and CAMMO have gathered a prominent group if panelists to judge the candidates and select the next members of 4TROOPS. The group includes American Idol and The Voice vocal coach, Debra Byrd; Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar winning musical arranger and producer, Jay Landers; 4TROOPS vocal coach, Joey Beebe; CAMMO creative director and 4TROOPS’ producer,writer, arranger, Victor Hurtado; Universal, Sony, J Records and Def Jam producer, Jeff Caufield; and founding member of 4TROOPS, Ron Henry.

Following a 50-city tour of the U.S., and appearances on numerous national television shows, the founding members of 4TROOPS eventually had to leave the group for family reasons. Over the past three years, with the help of rotating members, the ensemble has continued to perform the material from the first album.

To audition for 4TROOPS, log on to http://cammomusic.org/#puresolo. For more information about the auditions, please contact casting@cammomusic.org.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.

Military Connection: Open Audition for Singing Vets: By Debbie Gregory