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DeVaughn wins local Emmy

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Jenn Pagnar
Washington D.C. --  A member of The United States Air Force Band was part of a team presented with an Emmy® award at the National Capital/Chesapeake Bay chapter of the National Television Academy of Arts and Sciences gala at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel June 15.
Master Sgt. Jim DeVaughn, audio engineer with The U.S. Air Force Band, worked with Maryland Public Television (MPT) audio engineers James Bigwood, Gordon Masters and David Wainwright to produce the audio for a Veteran's Day concert titled "America's Veterans - A Musical Tribute."

This special broadcast that originally aired on Nov. 11, 2012 honored those who have served in all branches of the military by featuring musical performances and short vignettes highlighting members who currently serve. "American Idol" Season 2 winner Rueben Studdard performed as well as world-renowned tenor, Anthony Kearns, the original founding member of The Irish Tenors. The Band's Studio Orchestra and the Singing Sergeants rounded out the program.

"I'm humbled that our efforts were considered worthy of an Emmy, and I think it's a great testament to the caliber of all the engineers, military and civilian, who were all involved as a team to get the mix on the air," DeVaughn said. "I hope to continue on to new projects that will instill patriotism and inspire hope through our shared language of music."

DeVaughn has been with the Band since 2001, and attended Virginia Tech receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. Just prior to joining the Air Force, he served as the technical director for the Virginia Tech music department and worked as a freelance audio engineer for various collegiate choral groups.

"I'm thankful and feel blessed for the opportunity to do what I love while serving my country," DeVaughn said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to honor our veterans through music, for their service, and for their sacrifices."

The U.S. Air Force Band has partnered over the last several years with Maryland Public Television (MPT) to create a Veteran's Day concert for broadcast by MPT. This wildly successful venture has resulted in performances that have reached almost the entire PBS viewing community.

The Emmy® Awards judges viewed 774 entries from 93 categories of production and television crafts. The competition was open to any television station, company, production house or independent producer in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.