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A Day in the Life of Max Impact

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan McPherson
  • The USAF Band
BOLLING AFB, D.C. --  One of the great privileges of performing in Max Impact is that we often have the opportunity to personally meet our audience members before and after a show. Many times I'm asked the question, "What is it like to be in Max Impact?" Trying my best to summarize the answer, I often relate my job to the exciting theme park "hypercoaster," Superman Ride of Steel! So, allow me to buckle you into Max Impact for a minute and take you for a ride, as I highlight some of the things that make up a typical day for us.

For over a year now, Max Impact has traveled around the nation, performing rock concerts in support of Air Force Week. These exciting trips have been a huge success for us in reaching out to the local communities and showing the public all the many possibilities our Air Force has to offer - Max Impact style! This past summer, we performed in New York City at the USS Intrepid. Our final stop this year for Air Force Week will be in Cocoa Beach, Fla. We hope to see you there!

Max Impact continues the tradition of composing and recording new songs to this day. It's always an exciting time when a new song is on the horizon and a recording date is set at the studio. You can be sure that Max Impact will deliver, so be on the lookout for some new original music in the future. It is our hope that our music will be enjoyable for everyone, and that it will inspire young men and women to become future Airmen in the world's most advanced and professional Air Force.

At times, Max Impact members must perform solo or in a small group for our Air Force leadership. As they welcome distinguished visitors from all over the world, we often play music to set the tone for the event. Some interesting places we have played include the residence of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the Pentagon, and Mount Vernon. The music we make on those occasions is enjoyable for us because it gives us the freedom to call tunes on the spot and to improvise around jazz standards that are fun to play.

Last but not least, are the days when Max Impact deploys and entertains America's Airmen, located anywhere in the world. We have provided entertainment for troops in some far away locations such as Qatar, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Djibouti, just to name a few. If we can provide a little bit of home and entertain the men and women in uniform who are serving our great country and defending freedom, then we will have successfully completed our mission.

The thrill and excitement of playing high-energy music, entertaining audiences, and seeing new places is a remarkable experience. I know that one day this ride will come to an end for me, but until then, I will enjoy every minute of it!

Click to read a short biography of Tech. Sgt. Jonathan McPherson.

For biographical information about other members of The U.S. Air Force Band, please see the Ensembles section of our website