Music as Diplomacy: Insights from a U.S. Air Force Musician

Arnold00:00:01

The United States is coming up on 250 years and celebrating. You can see and listen to some concerts by the United States Air Force Band of Mid America.We're going to talk with one of the musicians on St. Louis in Tune.Welcome to St. Louis in tune and thank you for joining us for fresh perspectives on issues and events with experts, community leaders and everyday people who make a difference in shaping our society and world. I'm Arnold Stricker along with co host Mark Langston. And Mark, we are basking in the oncoming heat here in the studio. We're trying to keep it cool.

Mark00:00:48

Yes, we are. The air conditioner here at the KXOK studios is working overtime. It's working overtime because it's. It's not. And it's not the heat. It's the humidity.Yeah.

Arnold00:00:58

It's pumping its little guts out.

Mark00:01:00

It is the humidity. I know.

Arnold00:01:02

Yeah, that's true.

Mark00:01:02

It's tough.

Arnold00:01:03

Folks, we're glad that you joined us today and we want to thank our sponsor, Better Rate Mortgage for their support of the show. You can listen to previous shows@stlandtune.com where you can follow us and leave a review.I have a thought to ponder today and actually have two thoughts to ponder today, Mark. Because I couldn't decide which one I wanted to use. So, folks, you're going to get two thoughts to ponder.

Mark00:01:23

Wow.

Arnold00:01:24

And a gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo and doesn't. A gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo and doesn't.

Mark00:01:35

Now, I like a banjo, though.

Arnold00:01:37

I do, too. I really like the picking.

Mark00:01:39

It's a grinning. The picking and the grinning and the foot stomping.

Arnold00:01:43

But I'm surprised Mark Twain said that.

Mark00:01:46

What? Yeah.

Arnold00:01:47

And then the second quote, the music is not in the notes but in the silence in between. Wolfgang Mozart, who knew the guy who wrote a lot of notes, I guess he was like, maybe. Wow. It's finally quiet.But you can appreciate what you've heard when it stops. Okay, that's what I'm gathering. And Mark Twain was saying that if the banjo doesn't play, it's better.

Mark00:02:18

That's what he's saying. I know.

Arnold00:02:20

But I tell you what, we do have a guest here who knows exactly what he's doing on the euphonium. And he's with the United States Air Force Band of Mid America. We want to welcome Technical Sergeant Brian Logan to St. Louis in Tune.Welcome, Sergeant Logan.

TSgt Logan00:02:43

Oh, thank you both. I'm delighted to join you today.

Arnold00:02:45

I have a question. What is A technical sergeant versus as opposed to a regular sergeant or a master sergeant? Yes, There's a lot of sergeants. Yes. Sergeant at arm.

TSgt Logan00:02:54

It's a type of rank really. We have nine enlisted ranks in each branch of the armed forces. And in the Air Force, they call it the junior enlisted ranks to be E1 through 4.And then your NCO corps or your non commissioned officers are your E5 and E6. And so I am an E6, which is a technical sergeant.So typically we're in charge of larger teams and doing some of the messy middle work when it comes to organizing and planning where we're not quite at that upper echelon, but also not frontline supervisors.

Arnold00:03:31

Gotcha. You would be in the Navy a first class petty officer?

TSgt Logan00:03:35

Yeah, it's been a few years since I've tested for promotion, so there was a time where I had all the ranks for all the services memorized, but you caught me. I actually, I'll take your word for it on that one because I'm actually not sure what it would be for the Navy anymore.

Arnold00:03:48

Now, you talked about.

Mark00:03:49

I'm taking your word for it.

Arnold00:03:50

Yeah. You talked about logistics.And when I was going through your resume, you've got a Bachelor's of music degree in euphonium performance from the University of Alabama. Roll Tide. Roll Tide.And then you have a Master's in music degree from Northwestern when you were also working on economics at the Kellogg School of Business. And then you have a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.But you've done a lot of logistics for the Air Force, and a lot of that was when you were in. You were in Africa and Europe. Is that correct?

TSgt Logan00:04:22

That is correct, yes, sir. I'll kind of back up and say you mentioned doing logistics. All of us in these bands have some sort of administrative role.So if I was in a regional orchestra playing the trombone, my job would be to come in and play and that's about it. And for these military bands that I'm a part of, my job is to play my instrument. That's my primary duty.But unlike a regional orchestra that has an entire administrative staff planning what the concerts are going to entail, organizing where they're going to happen, how the group's going to get there, marketing them, et cetera, et cetera, we do all of that in house.So we go from practicing, performing, rehearsing, to opening up our laptops and doing the essential functions that get the band actually out the door performing.

Mark00:05:16

Wow. Wow is right.

Arnold00:05:18

So that gives you a lot more varied skill set to then go out maybe when you're done with the Air Force band.

TSgt Logan00:05:25

And that's the hope. And it is. And if I can advertise for the job, it is interesting. Genuinely. All of us join to be musicians and that's our favorite part of the job.But when I was stationed in Germany, I was the assistant director of operations and the band there toured all of Africa and Europe. So we partner with embassies all the time over there.So it was really fascinating and interesting for me to talk with all kinds of Department of State people and honestly get a bit of a geography lesson and learn about the geopolitical side of our armed forces and why the bands are going to these various areas and what we can do for soft power and for providing a platform for ambassadors and public speakers to appear in those countries. So it was really, really interesting to coordinate with all these countries.In my three years there, I got to go to 28 different countries in both Africa and Europe. So I It was extremely exciting time of my life.

Arnold00:06:30

So people may ask along what you've been saying, why does do the armed forces have bans?

Mark00:06:35

Right. A mission.

Arnold00:06:36

It is a mission. But like you were saying, do you call up the ambassador and say, hey, this is Sergeant Logan from the doctor. Sergeant, Dr. Sardin.

TSgt Logan00:06:44

Dr. Sargent.

Mark00:06:46

We need to clear it up here.

TSgt Logan00:06:47

Dr. Sargent, I have the honor of being the. The lowest paid doctor in the entire Harvard when I joined. So I don't refer to myself as that I might I like well, you are here.

Arnold00:06:58

Yeah.

TSgt Logan00:06:59

I have a doctorate in a dma, a doctorate in musical arts. And my. My dad has a PhD in chemistry. I know they call him Dr. Logan. I it still doesn't feel like I really have that title.I and I don't mean it as a disrespect, but I just. It feels like I' doing what I enjoy and it. The academic side of it is falls to the rear. But to answer your question, I. Yeah, it is interesting.So the bands they honor, inspire, connect and recruit, those are our four pillars. In the States, we build a lot of our own outreach programs. We'll call up civic partners and organize these tours where we can go into the community.And while we're there, we represent the Air Force and we put on these events where we're able to thank service members that are currently serving and also honor veterans in the community.So stateside, we really check that box as an extension of the armed forces outside of the base, inside the base, we're playing and adding to ceremonies by doing welcome ceremonies for visiting dignitaries. We're doing retirements, changes of commands, and there's a lot of history for the bands that is intertwined with military tradition.So we stateside, that's how we fit in.Now overseas, it's a bit more expanded, I would say, in my opinion, it's really interesting because in my opinion, a lot of cultures outside of America have such an intertwined mixture with the arts.When I went to Angola, they have an entire branch of their military that has professional singers, band, traditional African music, traditional African dancers. And that way, whenever they meet, it's their military. It's a part of that and that sharing of cultures.So when we go and visit these nations, there's a bit of an expectation that we're going to have a cultural exchange. And it's hard to have people represent the Air Force as a civilian hire that they bring in.If I'm being flown to Angola to represent the Air Force, it's a lot easier to tell the Air Force story and represent it as an Air Force member.

Arnold00:09:22

Makes sense.

TSgt Logan00:09:22

Yeah. So we do more of that over there. And we.And overseas, the request for the bands is so much more profound that we're in the position of fielding requests and. And not necessarily creating our own tours.And if I can for a moment, expand on Angola, it was interesting to go there because for years, the leader of the armed forces there, who's currently there, he fought in the civil war in Angola, and at the time, the United States had backed a different party.So he has this memory of the United States that is I'd less than fond, but it's in our national best interest to have close relationships with Angola and help their defense grow, because we need partners and we need stability in that part of the world. So for years, the embassy told us that they had no contact at the foreign military and they couldn't break through.They tried to get them to come over, and they mentioned in passing to them, hey, we actually could bring down the Air Force band to play with you guys. Is that something you'd be interested in? And that was their foot in the door.And I was honored to be a part of the team that went down and played with the Angolan Armed Forces band. And at the end of that, our ambassador got to have a private meeting with all of the. The chief of staff equivalents of the armed forces over there.And that was the event that thawed the relationship and allowed them to continue talking after years of a gap.So it's an interesting intersection over there where you get to play music, but it has an interesting strategic and geopolitical reason attached to it.

Arnold00:11:12

Now see folks, that is a reason to listen to this show because I never heard about that, Mark, never heard about that. You only hear what you get from the media.And this is a behind the scenes kind of revealing of the importance of our armed forces bands and the music and how it really helps in international relations.

Mark00:11:31

Congratulations, Sergeant. Yeah, bridging that gap. That's really music does it reaches into the soul, the heart. So congratulations on that. I think that's important.

Arnold00:11:40

Yeah.

TSgt Logan00:11:40

And it's not just that. A lot of times we spent a lot of time in Eastern Europe and over there, what so many people know about America is what they see online.And I don't have to tell you that it's incredibly influenced by propaganda and by, by algorithms. And it's really, you can see people's faces change.And when a very non threatening entity comes in a band and you're able to represent the military but in a non combative way and show them that hey, Americans aren't necessarily what is portrayed on your social media reel and you put a face and a name to an entire nation and it's an honor to get to do that.And oftentimes while we're there, we'll be invited onto maybe the local news or something like that because it's an event that we're here and that will provide that platform for maybe an ambassador or something like that to speak and have that opportunity to deliver public affairs talking points. So it's a lot of times a door opening, but also getting to just having that privilege of representing the country.

Arnold00:12:51

This is Arnold Stricker with Mark Langston of St. Louis in tune. We're talking to Technical Sergeant Brian Logan.He is with the United States Air Force Band of Mid America and they're stationed at Scott Air Force Base, folks, by the way, on Metro east. And they encompass a 10 state region. Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee.

Mark00:13:12

Kind of Midwest, is that right?

Arnold00:13:14

Yes, Midwest kind of thing. And you guys are playing concerts here. Let's kick off the list of what's going on here. Sergeant Logan.

Mark00:13:22

Sergeant, is there a banjo in your band?

TSgt Logan00:13:25

There is not.

Arnold00:13:27

If there was, it would be silent.

Mark00:13:28

I'm just saying.

TSgt Logan00:13:33

It's funny. The joke you told at the top there, that quote, I had always heard that with the saxophone. Yeah, it's always delivered that way.The gentleman is someone who can play the saxophone, but. And that's What?

Arnold00:13:45

You know, we won't send this to the saxophone players in the band.

Mark00:13:48

Yeah, yeah, I've got saxophone. I just want to know how to banjo. I thought Dr. Sargent would have one of those. Exactly. Okay. Sorry. Go ahead, Arnold. I couldn't help it. I had to ask.I have it on my notes. Ask him about the banjo. There's no banjo.

Arnold00:14:04

Your concerts starting when and where?

TSgt Logan00:14:07

Well, so our first one is actually tomorrow, July 1, at 7pm at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. All of our shows are going to be outdoors.And I'll preface this by saying the only thing you need to remember, they're all in the greater St. Louis area. And you can get all the time, date locations.If you just go to af band tix.org that's af band t I x.org and just memorize that and they'll have the complete listing of not just our fourth of July events that we're doing, but every time we have a group performing in that 10 state region that you identified, you'll be able to find out where we're going from because it.

Arnold00:14:47

Could be a rock ensemble or a jazz band. Really? A small ensemble, big concert band.

TSgt Logan00:14:52

Yeah.

Mark00:14:52

So it's all different genres of music you're doing.

TSgt Logan00:14:55

I didn't know genres and ensembles. So tomorrow is the concert band and that. So our unit is anywhere between 45 and 50 people, depending on who's coming in and moving or retiring.And the way that the unit's organized is that we have two rock bands, a jazz ensemble, a woodland quintet, a brass quintet, a clarinet quartet, and at various times we combine into this concert band. So there's no bigger event or reason to come together and perform than 4th of July. Freedom250.So that's what we're putting out for our greater St. Louis area on the 1st, 2nd and 8th of July. And again, you can get all that information@af bandtix.org and.And yeah, so our concert is the concert band, but all of the musicians that you'll see on stage, they perform in various ensembles and are able to go and do different types of concerts depending on what ensemble they're in.

Mark00:15:54

I just a little speechless on the many different types of music that you do. Rock bands, what. I can't imagine what kind of rock music. Rock performers or. I don't know what to say. Stones, you know, the Beatles, what?

TSgt Logan00:16:10

Yeah, good American Hits, Top 50, Dashboard, basically doing covers and they perform. So like I said, it's. They can do outreach concerts where they're putting on a concert in the park similar to the way we are. They'll perform on bass.Maybe they're at the soundtrack to the Air Force Ball. And then similarly, they don't do as much ceremonial work, but, yeah, they play that type of music.And then they're a huge extension of our recruiting mission. So one exciting thing that we've started doing with our rock band is when they go out and perform these. These pop tunes, they.We have incorporated a flight simulator. So we bring a full. This thing's got to be a. It's a massive flight screen with the entire chair and all the controls that a pilot would use.We bring an Air Force pilot, and we go to these colleges and some of these STEM communities.We put on these concerts, and some of these college students who have a background in science are walking through campus and seeing this, and they get to go and FL an Air Force fighter jet while the band is playing, coached by a pilot. And it's a way of putting that bug in their ear. Maybe they never thought about becoming an Air Force pilot, but they got to do that.And that was a heck of a lot more fun than going to chemistry class. And maybe when they finish their degree, they'll consider commissioning.So we partner with recruiters again as a way of getting access and people connected to the military in innovative ways.

Arnold00:17:44

That's cool.

Mark00:17:45

That's great.

Arnold00:17:46

So Wednesday, July 1, 7pm at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. And then you also have. You keep going. You've got 1, 2, 3, 4, 7.

TSgt Logan00:17:55

Yeah, absolutely. Here, I've got the list. Let me just pull it right up. Memorize anything I can write down.

Arnold00:18:01

I'll help you out here. It's July 2nd, 7pm Also, same time. The old Post Office Plaza.

TSgt Logan00:18:07

Yes, sir, Exactly. Again, greater St. Louis area. And then on the 7th of July, we're at Fouth park in Chesterfield, Missouri, same time, 7:00pm now, are you guys doing.

Arnold00:18:21

Now, Greenville, Illinois, is not too far away. Maybe. What, about an hour?

Mark00:18:25

Maybe.

Arnold00:18:25

Are you guys still playing out at the Bond County Fourth Fest?

TSgt Logan00:18:29

Not to my knowledge. At least not with this group in Greenville. But then. And then we were also doing the St. Louis Louis parade.The concert band will put on their marching band uniforms and be a part of that on actual July 4th.

Arnold00:18:41

And that's at 4pm folks, so you don't want to miss that. So we've got July 1st at the Botanical Garden, 7pm Then there's July 2nd, 7pm at the Old Post Office Plaza.You've got July 7th at Faust park in Chesterfield, 7pm that's right. The Fourth of July, 4pm in the. They're marching in the parade. And the one I have the information I had was July 3, 5pm and this is the Starlifter.

TSgt Logan00:19:05

The rock band. Yes, the rock band. That's why that one wasn't on my notes.But yeah, if what I was describing to you with the rock band, the top 40, that that fit more with you, you could go here, Starlifter. And they're a really engaging group.And again, that's why I mentioned if you go to af band ticks.org t I x you can get the full listing of all of our events, all of our groups, and know exactly when and where they're playing.

Arnold00:19:28

And tickets are required for these particular performances. So you really need to go there. And they're all open to the public.

TSgt Logan00:19:35

Yeah, it's free, but you can always reserve your tickets through there. But yeah, we'll never turn anyone away. But the ticketing helps us get a gauge of how many people we are we're planning to entertain, that how many.

Mark00:19:47

Musicians are usually in one of the ensembles. The bands that like the marching band on the 4th.

TSgt Logan00:19:54

Yeah, that'll probably be around 35 people. But the concert band is more. Probably about 45. There's more instruments that. That fit on the concert stage that you can't necessarily march with.

Mark00:20:07

It's like a symphony. It's like a symphony orchestra.

TSgt Logan00:20:10

Yeah, yeah. And it's fun getting to do the ceremonial events. I don't think there's anything more quintessentially military band than a fourth of July parade.That to me, when I imagined doing this job, that's exactly what came to mind. And all the other stuff I was describing before, like you, I learned about when I joined.I didn't really understand the strategic why of the military bands until I got in.

Arnold00:20:38

So you've been in the Air Force how many years now?

TSgt Logan00:20:40

I hit 10 in January.

Arnold00:20:43

Okay.

TSgt Logan00:20:43

And 10 years.

Arnold00:20:44

So question of all of the years that you've been in the Air Force, would you say the Angola situation when you were there was. Is that the most memorable or most. Wow, this is great. This is kind of what I dreamed about.Or is there another one that sticks stands out to your mind?

TSgt Logan00:20:59

I've really enjoyed a lot of things for a lot of different reasons. Of course, it was really fun for me to perform in Copenhagen because it's a really beautiful city.But a moment for me where I got to sit back and feel a sense of accomplishment that I didn't necessarily predict when I exactly Joined. I went with the brass quintet to Mauritania, and in case it's a country that's unfamiliar to any listeners, it's between Senegal and Morocco.And our job was to go and perform for a council of mayors. And one of the things we did is try to help them shore up their border security so that they're a more stable nation.So our military has been doing a lot of partnership exercises with them, training to coach them up on border security, because stable countries all around the world benefit the United States. Instability is viewed as a danger. And so one of the things we got to go and perform for the border guard in Mauritania.And I was a little nervous about it, to be honest, because sometimes when you go and play for troops, it's hot, it's busy, and you never know exactly if you're going to be the party that they were looking for or if they were just trying to get back and get a couple hours of sleep in between their shifts. And we go into this giant hangar and we play for about 400 Mauritanian border guard soldiers. And you could hear a pin drop.When we walked in, it was completely silent. And we play our first song, and I should stop and say Mauritanians are very reserved and respectful. Culture is a predominantly practicing Islam.They there. There aren't a ton of concerts that they get to go to.And we played our first song, and it was just an eruption of applause and appreciation for us to be there. And I thought, wow, this is really not what I expected. And I got to meet all kinds of people and put on a face for America.And I was talking to one of my embassy contacts, and when I left, they told me it was the last country in the entire world to outlaw slavery. And I would guess that about 80% of the people that you played for are former slaves.And that was their first form of entertainment that they've ever been able to go to. And by the blessing of military bands, you got to be their first impression, live impression of America was what you brought to them.So it's a way of combating negative opinions of America and extremism in certain parts of the world as well. And that was something that I took away and am very proud that group got to do.

Arnold00:23:47

That's unbelievable. And, you know, the experiences that you can have by being in the military, the things that you have experienced and been able to contribute to your.Your fellow. I want to say shipmates, but what would they call them? Airmen. Yes. Your fellow airmen is. Yeah, it's Just incredible.And you know, military bands are just an unbelievable kind of form of assistance to our government and to actually to our populace. So kudos to you and to your, the airmen that you work with.

TSgt Logan00:24:20

Yeah, thanks. And it's just a joy.I have the best colleagues in the world and it really is a great job to get to go around the world and do something we enjoy while serving the country.

Arnold00:24:31

We really appreciate your time that you gave us today. And we've been talking to Technical Sergeant Brian Logan from the United States Air Force Band of Mid America folks.We will post these on the webpage, but we'll also talk about this a little bit more, but July 1st at the botanical garden. And the biggest thing thing is go to af bantix t I x.org band singular. Ban singular.

Mark00:24:54

Okay.

TSgt Logan00:24:55

That's right.

Mark00:24:55

Yeah. Band ticks. Okay.

Arnold00:24:59

Sergeant Logan, thank you very much for taking time to come talk to us on St. Louis in Tune.

TSgt Logan00:25:03

It was my pleasure. I hope we get to do this again.

Arnold00:25:05

Thank you, sir.

TSgt Logan00:25:07

Thank you.

Arnold00:25:07

Bye bye.

TSgt Logan00:26:17

What day is today?

Arnold00:27:35

As strange as it may sound, at Better Rate mortgage. We love talking to people about mortgages. Everyone in St. Louis promises a better mortgage rate.But what you really need to turn that perfect house into your dream home is a better mortgage. At Better Rate mortgage, we open the door to so much more. So where are you in the home buying process?Researching, maybe wondering how much you can afford? House hunting. Get a pre approval from Better Rate Mortgage Ready to buy.Our team is ready to make your mortgage process fast and easy, whether you're purchasing your first home or taking cash out to make your dream home even dreamier. Our door is open. Come on in and get started. Today we'll show you how.Call Sean directly at 314-375-3293 or online@betterratemortgage.com Remember, at Better Rate Mortgage, a better rate is just the beginning. Betterratemortgage.com NMLS ID 40135 in equal housing. Welcome back to St. Louis in Tune. This is Arnold Stricker with Mark Langston.Mark, great conversation with Sergeant Logan from the US Air Force band.

Mark00:28:33

Doctor. Sergeant.

Arnold00:28:34

Doctor.

Mark00:28:34

Sergeant. He's a doctor. He's a. I don't know which would be first Sergeant doctor or doctor sergeant. Both are pretty darn important and impressive too.

Arnold00:28:43

Yes. And folks want to remember remind you again about that that you can go to AF band Tix T I X.com for information on the shows.But July 1st, that is at the Missouri Botanical Garden and that's at 7pm July 2nd at the Old Post Office Plaza, 7pm if you want to go to Greenville, Illinois to hear the Starlifter Rock pop Ensemble, that's July 3, 5pm at Bond County Fourth Fest in Greenville, July 4, the parade downtown St. Louis, 4pm and July 7, 7pm at Faust Park.

Mark00:29:19

Wow. Wow. So we had one of our other shows. We had a really nice lady on. Diane Lindsley.

Arnold00:29:27

Yes.

Mark00:29:28

She takes a lot of photographs. We had her on. But today is National Photographer Day.

Arnold00:29:35

I said, really?

Mark00:29:35

Yeah.

Arnold00:29:36

Oh, wow.

Mark00:29:37

National Wolf Waffle Iron Day. You say that fast three times. National Waffle Iron Day. Yeah. Do you have a waffle iron at home?

Arnold00:29:47

I do not.

Mark00:29:49

I have an iron, but not a wall.

Arnold00:29:51

And I eat waffles.

Mark00:29:52

Okay. Let's see. International Mud Day. So I guess mud all the way. Do you ever make. Do you ever play in the mud when you were a kid?

Arnold00:30:01

Yes. I made mud pies underneath the porch, and it cut them up into little pie things.

Mark00:30:06

Really? Yeah. You never ate one, did you? Oh, you did.

Arnold00:30:10

You did.

Mark00:30:11

I knew it was coming. We're finding out so much about our.

TSgt Logan00:30:15

There you go.

Mark00:30:16

International Fisherman's Day. You were talking about being a fisherman. You used to. Do you still fish?

Arnold00:30:22

I have not fished for my gosh. Let's see. I would say 50 years, maybe.

Mark00:30:27

Wow. Wow. I haven't.

Arnold00:30:31

No, not 50. Maybe 45 years.

Mark00:30:33

That's still a long time. I don't know, 50, 49, 45. I don't know. There's a lot of difference.

Arnold00:30:39

Maybe 40. I lost Kyle.

Mark00:30:40

Right. Hug Day.

Arnold00:30:41

International hugs are great.

Mark00:30:43

Yeah. Hugs are good. I like hugs. I know. And as I get older, my hugs last a little longer. I don't know what it. I could hug my boys or something.

Arnold00:30:51

Yeah, that's good.

Mark00:30:52

You can let go now.

Arnold00:30:55

Here for an hour. Dad, come on.

Mark00:30:57

I'm going. I don't know. National Insurance Awareness Day.

Arnold00:31:02

That's every day.

Mark00:31:02

I don't know what to think about that. Okay. I know. They've got us Log Cabin Day. Yeah.

Arnold00:31:09

I know a guy who finds those and disassembles those and puts those back together.

Mark00:31:14

Ah, that's good. And I think that's really.

Arnold00:31:17

He lives in one.

Mark00:31:18

Yeah. National Onion Day. Ooh. You like onions?

Arnold00:31:21

I do.

Mark00:31:22

I do, too. We have a new recipe where we slice big, fat, thick onions. Okay. Grill those up, make a hamburger.

Arnold00:31:29

Yeah.

Mark00:31:29

And then use. You put one on instead of a bun. You use the onions and you put the onion down. You put the hamburger on top.You put Some cheese on it, and then you put the other slice on top.

Arnold00:31:39

Okay. Wow.

Mark00:31:41

I know. You got to have the tums ready.

Arnold00:31:43

No kidding.

Mark00:31:43

But that cheese lets it all stick together.

Arnold00:31:46

White onion, yellow onion, red onion.

Mark00:31:48

I don't think. Whatever kind of what a kind of onion you like. Yeah, I know. This is the. The food part of our show. Okay.

Arnold00:31:54

Yeah, that sounds really good.

Mark00:31:56

It does. It is good. We tried it for the first time the other day, and it was like, wow, we can work on this. Yeah. Make it better. Yeah.If you like onions, they got to be thick. Cut that thing thick.

Arnold00:32:06

Okay.

Mark00:32:06

So it's almost like a little bun.

Arnold00:32:07

Okay.

Mark00:32:08

And then really, you know, caramelize it. Caramelize it. Good. There's the thing. See? You could write a cookbook. Yeah. Caramelize that onion. Yep.And then put a little cheese on there so it all sticks together.

Arnold00:32:17

Oh, yeah.

Mark00:32:17

Because you start cutting it, it falls apart. So you don't want that.

Arnold00:32:20

Put some butter on that burger and really get here.

Mark00:32:23

There we go. I know. All right, we're all hungry now. You did it. Salivating here.

Arnold00:32:29

Dripping down onto my shirt.

Mark00:32:31

Slobbering. They can probably see it on the YouTube channel.

Arnold00:32:36

So some facts about the United States Air Force ban. Mark. They were. And many people don't know this, but the Air Force was part of the army prior to World War II.And during World War II, that's when they. I don't want to say separated, but became separate. A separate branch. But there were 500 bands that served in the U.S. army in World War II.And this began as one of 59 Air Force bands activated in 1941, October. This is before Pearl harbor. And during the war, the Air Force was a division of the Army.It was called the US Army Air Force, and then massively grew during the war. And the Air Force states that over 1500 musicians auditioned and were recruited for 32 major symphony orchestras and 38 famous dance bands.So you had it. Glenn Miller was in the Air Force.

Mark00:33:27

Okay.

Arnold00:33:28

And he was a big dance band, quote, unquote, dance band performer and a director. And then he perished in a airplane crash over the English Channel.

Mark00:33:40

Never knew that.

Arnold00:33:41

I believe it was the English Channel. But a lot of good things that the military bands have done. There's the President's own, which is the. The Marine brand, and they've been around.John Philip Sousa was the director of the Marine Band at one time.And the Air Force Band is credited also for conceiving and pioneering the concept that a musical organization can be a country's quote, most effective goodwill ambassador, unquote, I believe. And honestly, we heard that from Dr. Sergeant Logan. As Mark would say, Dr. Sargent. Yeah, couple facts there. Very interesting.I also have just a couple funnies for you, Mark, to give you a to help your digestion of those new burgers. Okay, this is a fun fact, folks. Koi fish always travel in groups of four. If attacked, koi A, B and C will scatter, leaving behind the decoy.

TSgt Logan00:34:43

Wow.

Arnold00:34:44

And then I said to my wife, for the last 12 years, all you've done is find mistakes in anything I say to you. She answered, thirteen years,.

Mark00:34:55

Amy.

Arnold00:34:56

That's it.

Mark00:34:58

Is that it?

Arnold00:34:59

That's it.

TSgt Logan00:34:59

That's a really.

Arnold00:35:02

All right, so we're gonna go. Off we go into the wild blue yonder. But that's all for this show, folks. We thank you for listening.If you've enjoyed this episode, you can do listen to additional shows@stlintune.com and follow us and leave a review. Want to thank our theme music composer, Bob Berthisel, our sponsor, Better Rate Mortgage, our guest, Technical Sergeant Brian Logan, aka Dr.Sergeant Brian Logan from the United States Air Force Band in Mid America, and co host Mark Langston. And we thank you folks for being a part of our community of curious minds.St. Louis in tune is a production of Motif Music Media Group and the US Radio Network. Remember to keep seeking, keep learning, walk worthy, and let your light shine. For St. Louis in tune, I'm Arnold Strickler,.

Mark00:35:59

Sa.