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Concert-goers “Sail Away” and “Sway” with the Cruisers

by Megan McConville

The house lights go down, the stage lights come up, the band starts rocking hard, the vocalists begin to belt out Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," and you begin to realize this isn't your Grandaddy's Navy Band. No Sousa marches, no Sinatra-esque crooning, no Barbershop quartet...this group of talented musicians is the United States Navy's "premier contemporary entertainment ensemble," the Cruisers, and they can rock the house like nobody's business.

The Cruisers performed a free concert Sunday evening at Loudoun Valley High School, sponsored by the Town of Purcellville. Mayor Bob Lazaro and most of the Town Council were on hand to welcome the many attendees who took advantage of the family-friendly event. In his introductory remarks, Mayor Lazaro thanked the school for opening on a Sunday for the community, and also thanked Town Events Coordinator Cheryl Herman for her efforts in organizing the concert. Residents from toddlers to senior citizens grooved and clapped along to hits ranging from Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" and Styx's "Come Sail Away," to classics like "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," to the mambo number "Sway," and a stunning a cappella version of "For the Longest Time." The concert culminated in vocalist Senior Chief Musician John Fisher asking all the veterans in the audience to stand and be recognized, followed by a medley of stirring patriotic songs including the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America."

A ten minute video clip from Sunday's event is available at the Town of Purcellville website. More information about the Navy Band, including the Cruisers performance schedule, is available at www.navyband.navy.mil.