916th reservists make the band

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. -- While MTV and music-mogul P. Diddy are not involved in this venture, the 916th Air Refueling Wing can tout its own version of ‘Making the band.’ 

This Reserve unit located in Goldsboro, N.C. has a lot of best kept secrets, but one was recently unveiled at the unit’s annual Family Day Picnic, when four members of the unit took the stage to display their talents through instrument and song. 

The band, called Anthem, is comprised of Master Sgt. Rodney ‘Rowdy’ Smith, operations, Master Sgt. John Cosgrove, maintenance, Tech. Sgt. James Loper, command post, Staff Sgt. Kyle Canterbury, maintenance, and Darren Shinn, family member of an active duty member stationed at the 4th Fighter Wing. 

The band, which fully formed in January 2005, is quickly becoming a local favorite at Goldsboro night clubs and venues and is continuously expanding their location list.
“We are going to start playing at the NCO club, but don’t really have plans to go too far outside of Goldsboro,” said Guitarist James Loper. “There really are a lot of places to go in Goldsboro.” And not much live entertainment, he added. 

The group decided on the name Anthem because of the rock anthems they play. Drummer Kyle Canterbury joked that the band didn’t like the name ‘The Kyle Canterbury Experience,’ but everyone agreed when Keyboardist John Cosgrove suggested a name more representational of the band’s music. 

While no one takes credit for putting the band together, Frontman and Vocalist Rowdy Smith said it just kind of happened. Sergeant Canterbury said he heard about the idea while on a deployment to Chili in November 2004. “I just wanted to come and jam when we got home,” he said. 

All members indicated they were a little nervous to begin this venture, citing everything from a touch of stage fright to fitting in a band schedule with an already high ops tempo at their day jobs, however their musical abilities had been developed over years of practice and they were eager to put their skills to the test. 

Sergeant Canterbury indicated he played piano with his grandmother before he started playing drums around age 11. Sergeant Smith started a love affair with guitars when he received his first acoustic guitar at age 14, after high school he discovered electric guitars and realized his true passion. All members practice the singing aspect, whether soloing on various songs or helping out with back-up vocals. 

The band’s repertoire is growing along with their demand to play more and more. From Joe Walsh’s Rocky Mountain Way to Ozzie Osbourne’s Crazy Train, this group enjoys a hit list from the 70s, 80s and 90s. “That’s the great thing about being a cover band,” said Sergeant Loper. “You get to pick all your favorite songs to play.” 

Although playing tried and true favorites is something they all enjoy, members did indicate their ambition to create some of their own material in the future; however the goal right now is to just keep having fun. 

While the band has not attracted enough fans to have groupies yet, they did say that they have several supporters and well-wishers to include their spouses and co-workers at the 916th ARW. In fact, Master Sgt. Dave Chandonnet, boom operator, volunteered to develop a Web site and t-shirts for the band. 

With a new Web site, a classic rock play list, a growing name in Goldsboro and lots of support from their 916th family, this group of reservists followed their dream and ‘made the band’ for all to enjoy. 

Rock on!