Recollections - October 2010 Photos Revealed
JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, D.C. --
October's "Recollections" featured Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Jim Queen, under the direction of Colonel (Ret.) Arnald Gabriel. It was from a performance at the Daughers of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. on February 22, 1981. Many of you were able to identify him and had positive comments about his contributions to The Air Force Band. Chief Queen certainly made an impact during his active duty service and his efforts continue today. He has returned to Historic Hangar 2 for several retirement ceremonies where he "roasts" the outgoing member. It is always a pleasure for us to have him perform.
The last picture in October Cadenza is of Colonel (Ret.) Gabriel conducting and Jim Queen (Jim, Bob, Boy, as we used to jokingly call him) on violin. He still lives in the area and he served 30 years. He was the first leader of Silver Wings. Earlier, he played in the orchestra and the Strolling Strings. I was actually part of the group who auditioned him into The Air Force Band since I was the principal 2nd violin at that time.
He is an amazing talent who also plays guitar and who knows what else. With his sense of humor, he was the Band's official "Roaster" for people who needed roasting...like, generals, (members of congress), etc.! He is very good at foreign languages. My wife is Korean and she taught him quite a bit.
He retired as a Chief Master Sgt., of course. His wife, Kay Budner, also was a career violinist in the Strolling Strings and orchestra. At one time, she served as Concertmaster of the orchestra.
-- Master Sgt. (Ret.) John (Jack) Falkenstrom, USAF
Yes, that's me alright! It was the "GOOCH" medley (Grand Old Opry, Our Country Heritage) by Mike Davis. This medley was a big break for me, because it pulled me from the USAF Strings to solo on tours from the Concert Band. Okay, it was one solo among many, but I was the only fiddle player, and hey, what's country music without a fiddle?
That's Jim Nolan on drums. A "small world" factoid is that after he retired from the Air Force, Jim became a well-respected Montessori teacher and our daughter was in his class. I would place this picture as sometime in the 1980's.
After almost twenty years in the Strings (1993) I went on to start the USAF Silver Wings, which was the Air Force Country Band until sometime after my retirement in 2004.
-- Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Jim Queen, USAF