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Wild Blue Country entertains thousands at 74th Annual Sturgis Black Hills Rally

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Craig Larimer
  • The USAF Academy Band
Sturgis, SD August 8, 2014 --  In support of the thousands of US armed services veterans attending 74th annual Sturgis Black Hills Rally, the U.S. Air Force Academy Band's Wild Blue Country performed for numerous functions across the showcase of events. The band managed a busy itinerary at the focal point of patriotic ceremonies, veterans group rides, downtown music festivities, and the Main Stage anthem at the famous Buffalo Chip Campground.

Sturgis Bike Rally is the biggest gathering in the country, boasting crowds of 500,000 tourists in the given week. Wild Blue Country met with an array of motorcycle enthusiasts whose passion for the open ride is often accompanied by an appreciation for military service and sacrifice. The group stood for hundreds of photographs with fans of country music and the armed services.

In Spearfish, SD the group kicked off the first annual Freedom Celebration ride sharing the stage with Gold Star Mothers, retired Navy SEALS and the Mayor of the city.

"I was humbled and touched by stories of loss from a mother who lost her only son and a wife losing her husband. As a mother and a wife of a man in uniform, it really puts the sacrifices of both the soldier and family at home into perspective. I'm just happy that we could be a part of celebrating the lives of these families, and in such a beautiful place as the Black Hills," said Tech. Sgt. Julie Bradley, the group's singer and Non Commissioned Officer in charge.

Later in the week, Wild Blue Country's four part vocal anthem was performed at Sturgis Raceway as drag racing bikes rushed past them at speeds up to 160 MPH. The following evening the anthem was repeated to the sounds of thousands of roaring bike engines where a large crowd gathered at the Buffalo Chip Campground Main Stage. There the group was joined by the Ellsworth Air Force Base color guard and a stage lined with men and women representing all the branches in the armed services.