News

Operation Rising Star to be broadcast live on Pentagon Channel
Date Posted: 10/14/2008

By Rob McIlvaine
FMWRC Public Affairs

On November 12 – 14, 12 semi-finalists in the Operation Rising Star singing competition will take the stage at Fort Belvoir, Va. in three shows to air on the Pentagon Channel at 1:00 p.m., EST, each day.

The road to stardom began at 47 installations, camps and forward operating bases across the globe this past August.

Modeled after the popular television show American Idol, the competition was open to all Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers from all branches of service, and for the first time, military Family members, 18 years and older.

Besides the chance for fame, the prizes are much more than the proverbial pat on the back. At each participating installation, cash prizes were awarded for first, second and third place. But when the winner is announced on November 14, the second and third place winners will walk away with $1,000 and $500, respectively.

The grand prize for this year’s top performer is being called “The Ultimate Music Recording Experience.” The winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Los Angeles, Calif., to record a three-song demo CD. The experience includes professional studio time and one-on-one time with music executives who will coach the winner in music arrangement, vocals, mixing and mastering.

The finalists are Staff Sgt. Darius Ramos from Brussels, Belgium; Family member Joyce Dodson from Schweinfurt, Germany; Pfc. Star Exum from Camp Red Cloud, Korea; Family member Indirah Tirso from Tori Station, Japan; Spc. Cyril Powell from Fort Bragg, N.C.; Family member Fatima McElveen from Fort Campbell, Ky.; Family member Amy Downing from Fort Carson, Colo.; Family member Jill Charles from Fort Hood, Texas; Staff Sgt. Victor Trinidad from Fort Lewis, Wash.; Capt. Lisa Kopczynski (Army National Guard) from Joint Base Balad, Iraq; Capt. April McDonald from Camp Stryker, Iraq; and Air Force Staff Sgt. Dirik Cole from Soto Cano, Honduras.

Choosing the finalists was no easy task. According to Tim Higdon, Executive Producer of Operation Rising Star, “the talent has been amazing.”

Preliminary judges made up of Army Entertainment and industry professionals were tasked with this difficult assignment.

“We had to choose 12 finalists from 40 videos,” Higdon said. “Although we tried to keep a perspective on human interest, race, gender, and location, the bottom line was talent.”

The set design was rendered by Nicole Coppinger, a contractor from New York. -Photo by Rob McIlvaine, FMWRC Public Affairs

Victor Hurtado of Eyes Right Entertainment, one of the judges in choosing the 12 finalists, agreed.

“Even though one woman wrote her own song, which would have made a good human interest story, it’s definitely the level of talent and the entertainment factor we ultimately had to consider in our effort to make the best show possible,” Hurtado said.

But without a stage, there would be no show.

Designed by Nicole Coppinger, a contractor from New York, the set was built by Army Entertainment Division employees Stephen Smith and Ted O’Neil. These two builders produced a professional stage to make sure the stars shine even brighter.

In preparation for Operation Rising Star, Ted O’Neil cuts wood to frame the set. -Photo by Rob McIlvaine, FMWRC Public Affairs

Gracing the stage each day will be the host, GeNienne Samuels, a former Redskins cheerleader from Bowie, Md.

On Wednesday, November 12, the 12 semi-finalists will compete with the song they sang at their installation final. This will be edited down to 90 seconds during rehearsal and the competition will take place during a 90-minute show to air that same day.

Six finalists will then be chosen by three judges, including Sgt. Maj. (ret.) Jack Tilley, immediately following the show.

These six will perform a 90-second song (selected by each contestant from an approved list prior to their arrival) with a live band on Thursday, November 13 during a 60-minute live-to-satellite show.

GeNienne Samuels, retired Redskins cheerleader, and Joseph Beebe, contractor for Army Entertainment Division, rehearse for Operation Rising Star. -Photo by Rob McIlvaine, FMWRC Public Affairs.

Viewers are invited to vote via the internet to select the winners, who will be revealed during the 30-minute live-to-satellite show on the Pentagon Channel at 1 p.m., EST, on Friday, November 14.

To access the Pentagon Channel, go to www.oprisingstar.com, click on the link to the Pentagon Channel and then click on “GET IT.” Then type in your zip code to find out what channel the Pentagon Channel is in your area.

On military installations, the show will be available on the Armed Forces Networks.

Link for more info: http://www.armymwr.com/portal/news/display.asp?NEWS_ID=867