Canadian entertainers to rock Task Force Afghanistan
By Kristina Davis
May, 2006
Julian Austin is a veteran of the CF Show Tour circuit. He’ll be performing his ode to the CF “The Red and White” to close out every show.
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CFB KINGSTON — At first glance, he’s a country music badass. Three gold hoops pierce one ear and tattoos peek out from under his black t-shirt.
There is a devilish twinkle in his blue eyes and he doesn’t pull any punches. A straight shooter—even sans his trademark cowboy hat—it’s clear he loves his country and his music. But ask Julian Austin about the CF and you’d better be ready for the ride.
Participating in his fourth CF Show Tour to Afghanistan—he has also been to Bosnia and Alert—Mr. Austin, Michelle Wright, The Wilkinsons and Diane Chase, among others, rehearsed at CFB Kingston in early May just days before the tour took them to Afghanistan.
Mr. Austin calls the CF his second family and says the soldiers refer to him as GI Jules—a nickname he clearly gets a kick out of. As a kid he remembers watching a parade close to his home in Grand Bay, N.B., and running out to salute the passing soldiers.
Those vivid memories and family connections, including his father who was a medic in the Second World War, make him a genuine ambassador. In fact, he says playing for CF members is his calling. “I’m there in a heartbeat,” he says.
Mr. Austin has also written and recorded “The Red and White” a song dedicated to the men and women of the CF. He’ll close out each show with that song. And it means a lot to him.
He talks about soldiers—he has his fair share of war stories—describing the men and women he has met who touched him. Then, he pauses and swallows hard, struggling to maintain his composure.
Master Corporal Paul Franklin, he says in almost a whisper, shaking his head. “He’s one of the reasons…” he voice trails off for a moment and then he straightens up. “He owes me a drunk.”
He’s even considered signing up himself and working as a Reservist, but soldiers have said he’s better to keep doing what he’s doing.
Of the CF Show Tour, Mr. Austin says he is honoured to tour with artists who share his affection for the troops. “I’m blessed to be on tours with people who care,” he explains. And there’s no rock star mentality here. “You can’t fool your fans,” he says. “And you can’t fool [the troops] either.” You’re either real or you’re not, he adds.
His phone rings during the interview. He politely shuts if off. Tellingly his ring tune is “O Canada”.
Asked what the future holds—he has a new album out shortly—he says he’ll tour over the summer and is already geared up for another Show Tour, if the powers that be and the fans want him. “GI Jules ain’t going away,” he says with a grin.
Diane Chase has an easy smile and a face framed with long blonde hair. Amazingly this is her third Show Tour in just eight months. She admits she first signed up for the adventure and had no idea how much Afghanistan would change her.“Whatever we give the soldiers,” she says thoughtfully, “we get back 10 times.”
She describes her time in-theatre as life changing. Ms. Chase, who has also toured with the likes of Alabama and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, says she simply loves to perform and is pleased she’s able to help the troops forget about their stresses, if only for a few hours. “The music,” she says, “is a gift we get to share.”
Country music star Michelle Wright is performing on her first CF Show Tour. In all, Ms. Wright has sold more than 2 million records in the US and Canada and has stockpiled 25 top 10 hits.
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She’ll also tour this summer, with her largest show likely at the Calgary Stampede in July. Ms. Chase will also have a new album out soon. She wonders aloud what Afghanistan will hold for her this time. She knows it will be different. “It will be a different place to go back to.”
Michelle Wright, an icon in Canadian country music, is performing on her first Show Tour. She admits when her manager first approached her and then said she would be performing in Afghanistan, she and her husband had to sit down for a chat.
They decided she should do it— after all she was going with the military. So as Ms. Wright readied for the trip the only thing that concerned her slightly was the tactical flying she’d heard about. “I do enjoy rollercoaster rides,” she says with a laugh.
This opportunity also allowed her to bring her music to every single continent, except the Antarctica, and while she also has a new album, out this summer, she has decided to stick to old favourites because it just seemed like the right thing to do.
Ms. Wright says she’s looking forward to the experience. “Anybody who’s done it before, is raving about it,” she says. She knows, too, that it will likely be an emotional time. In fact, she was already feeling emotional and hadn’t even left yet. “I’m thankful the men and women [of the CF] are there and doing something that has to be done,” she says.
And if that includes putting up a tent, Ms. Wright is the one to ask. “There’s no diva here,” she says.
Organized by the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA), in conjunction with Horizon International Talent, the Task Force Afghanistan Show Tour will run until the end of May.
