Past “Artist Transportation”
For a few years, the RSA Chapter of USAWOA volunteered as “Artist Transportation” for The Big Spring Jam in Huntsville, AL and The Army (MWR) Concert Series on Redstone Arsenal, AL. These were some of the funnest events we were ever involved in.
CW4(R) Max Bennett and ‘Jewel’ Kilchner, Sep 2004. Max was Jewel’s driver for the day as she sang at The Big Spring Jam in the evening. The cowboy in the back is her father.
CW4(R) Max Bennett with the lovely and talented Ms. Angie Stone (1961-2025), backstage in Sep 2013 at the Army Concert Series on Redstone Arsenal, AL.
CW4(R) Max Bennett and Pat Simmons of The Doobie Brothers, Sep 2003. Max was The Doobie Brothers’ driver for the day as they sang at The Big Spring Jam in the evening. This is Max and Pat outside the Holiday Inn.
CW4(R) Max Bennett and Peter Noone (of The Hermen’s Hermits), Sep 2003. Max assisted Peter with merch sales and signatures when he sang at The Big Spring Jam.
CW4(R) Johnie Keeter, Sr. and The Ladies - A couple of quick stories…
Redstone Arsenal, AL (2007) - The Army Concert Series. We were all very excited to see and meet Ms. Kellie Pickler who was coming to sing at The Army Concert Series on RSA, AL. 20-year-old Kellie competed and sang on the fifth season of American Idol in 2006, finishing in sixth place. She was sexy, she was sassy and she was Very country. She was known to play up the country stereotype and reveled in being a little dumb (although she wasn’t). Kellie sat on her bus on RSA and CW4(R) Johnie Keeter, Sr., was her driver for the day. Kellie was with her good friend and opening act for the evening, an 18-year-old girl who people said was an up-and-coming songwriter. As they sat on the bus, Johnie asked if they needed anything and they were both excited if Johnie could go to Dairy Queen and get them some ice cream, which he did. Kellie, who everyone knew, brought the house down that evening but her opening act had a small mousy voice, was a bit off key, and no one knew any of her songs… yet. This opening act was named Taylor something-or-another… we wish her well and hope she does well in her career if she can get over her shyness.
2. Sometimes we get to choose who we drive and sometimes we don’t. CW4(R) Johnie Keeter is a good ol’ country boy from North Carolina and maybe a little bit smitten with Ms. Jennifer Nettles from ‘Sugarland’. When Jennifer was scheduled to appear at MWR’s Army Concert Series, Johnie was the first to sign up as her driver. That being said, as Artist Transportation, we are supposed to be Quiet and Professional when we drive the Stars around; not little fan-boys. Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush (Sugarland) were in the van behind Johnie as he drove them from their hotel to the venue on RSA and, it is possible that Johnie had his radio set on WDRM (the local Country Station) and it is also possible that WDRM started playing Sugarland’s latest hit and Johnie had the radio up just enough that it was noticed. Jennifer got all excited and she wrapped her arms around Johnie’s neck as he was driving and she said, “Turn that up just a tad and we’ll all sing along!” Johnie turned it up and they all sang along. And there they were, Johnie, Kristian, and Jennifer, all singing ‘Why Don’t You Stay” as Johnie slowly made his way up Patton Road on Redstone Arsenal.
CW4(R) Max Bennett (5th from left) and CW4(R) Ed Banville (7th), with Pat Monahan (2nd) and ‘Train’ (Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me), Meet Virginia, Calling All Angels, Hey, Soul Sister) Sep 2004. Max was Train’s driver for the day as they sang at The Army Concert Series on Redstone Arsenal, AL. MWR personnel are seen on the far left and 3rd from left , flanking Pat. Train’s guitarist, Jimmy Stafford, is 6th from left and their drummer, Scott Underwood, is 4th from left.