An evening of heavy metal, country and rock music
The LCpl Ben Carman Academy is hosting its first Never Forgotten concert this Friday, Oct. 10, at the Scottish Rite Masonic Auditorium at 519 Park St in Des Moines.
Headliner for the concert is the rock band American Hitmen of Salt Lake City, UT. The band formed in 2005 while the four members were serving together in the U.S. Marine Corps. They finished their service in 2007 and continued to play. In 2009, American Hitmen was the first rock band in 36 years to be invited to perform in Viet Nam. The band’s fame and fan base grew as they advanced through three elimination rounds of the 2013 season of America’s Got Talent.
Country singer Ayla Brown of Nashville, TN, will perform before American Hitmen. Brown was a finalist in the 2006 American Idol competition.
The heavy metal band Through the Darkness, which includes drummer Tyler Gathercoal of Grand Junction, will lead off the music.
Conservative radio talk show host Robert Rees will serve as emcee. Congressional candidate Desmund Adams of Des Moines (Third Congressional District) is slated to speak. Artist Keelia Paulsen will have art on display.
Doors will open at 6 pm with speakers at 6:15 and Through the Darkness playing at 7:15. There will be a speaker at 8:01, Ayla Brown at 8:15, a speaker at 9:01, and American Hietmen will play at 9:15. Closing remarks are slated for 10:46.
Tickets for the concert are available at www.eventbrite.com. Proceeds from the concert will benefit programs for military veterans and the Ben Carman Academy, located just south of Jefferson. The Carman Academy is dedicated to improving military leadership by assisting in recruiting and training service members and academy candidates.
