Chief Master Sergeant JR Erb is a native of Bethel Park, PA, and serves as Band Manager of the United States Air Force Band of Flight. He studied music at West Virginia University and earned a Bachelor's degree in Applied Music-Jazz Studies, from the University of North Texas. Prior to joining the Air Force, CMSgt Erb worked as a professional musician at Walt Disney World and on Premiere Cruise Lines. He has performed on string bass and bass guitar with musical greats such as Rosemary Clooney, Toni Tennille, Roger Williams, legendary Hawaiian Don Ho, and the Miracles. CMSgt Erb also spent five years developing leaders of character as an Academy Military Training Non-Commissioned Officer at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado.
During the summer of 2013, CMSgt Erb served as the Non-Commissioned Officer-In-Charge of the US Air Forces Central Command Band, Full Spectrum. The band performed in eight countries throughout the Middle East building partnerships while providing a wide variety of entertainment for U.S. service members and coalition partners.