MacDill AMC Icon

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tania Reid
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MacDill AFB, Fla --  Senior Master Sgt. Craig Hall, 6th Civil Engineer Squadron deputy fire chief was named the winner of the MacDill Air Mobility Command Icon show held at the Surf's Edge Club, July 10. He will go on to represent the base at the command contest scheduled for Scott AFB, IL, later this year. 

The Air Mobility Command Icon competition, loosely based around the TV show, American Idol, is an AMC commander initiative designed to showcase the vocal talents of all the communities under its command. Winners from the base communities then go on to the finals at Scott AFB and, if successful, will win cash prizes. 

At MacDill, the 6th Force Support Squadron's marketing team invited contestants base-wide to compete in the karaoke style show and display their vocal talents for a chance to win cash prizes. 

After the many performances, the final decision was made and Sergeant Hall emerged as the winner with his version of singer Nat King Cole's "Don't Get around Much Anymore". 

Second place prize was awarded to Airman 1st Class Tanisha Hunter, 6th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy journeyman, who won the hearts of the crowd with "Ready for Love" while third-place honors went to Pearley Bauers, the wife of the 6th Communications Squadron's Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Bauers, singing "Don't Cry Out Loud".

"It was a very successful show," said Wendy Foster, 6th Force Support Squadron's marketing director. "The performers' energy on stage was great and the guest judge's humor really excited the audience,"
The contestants were judged based on several things including technical excellence, showmanship and how well they were able to connect with the audience vocal strength and how they connected with the audience. 

Sergeant Hall received 288 of the 300 points which made him the sure win. 

He said he had only been at the base for approximately four days and decided to sign up believing it was a karaoke contest only to find himself performing in front of an audience and being judged. 

Though the deputy fire chief may have been new to the base, he's no stranger to competing in the AMC Icon competition. 

"He was the second place winner at Scott AFB's local Icon show a couple of years ago prior to the competition going AMC-wide," said Wendy Foster. 

The judges, Fox 13 News's Charlie Belcher, Gordie from the "Orlando and the Freak Show" on Wild 98.7 and country music singer and disc jockey for WQYK 99.5 Chad Brock, were on hand to provide their thoughts throughout the competition and applauded all the contestants on their efforts to be the best vocalist. 

As the MacDill active duty winner, Sergeant Hall will go on to represent MacDill in the AMC Icon competition Oct. 22 at Scott AFB.
The other performers in random order were:

Staff Sgt. Eric Ude -6th Logistics Readiness Squadron ("Inside Out")

Natalie Dennis Peak, spouse of (retired) Master Sgt. Ronald Park ("Last Name")

IT2/E5 Yarrick Conner - SE RSC/DIA ("Remember When It Rained")

Tech. Sgt. Derrick Blackman - 6th Medical Group ("Endless Love")

Marianna Mitchell, family member of Darlene Mitchell, 6th Force Support Squadron ("And I'm Telling You")

Staff Sgt. Rocio Garcia, United States Central Command ("Hit Em Up Style")

Senior Airman Rick Pelrine, United States Central Command ("I'll Be")

Staff Sgt. Anthony Jackson, 927th Air Refueling Wing ("My Day")

Master Sgt. Anthony Sallis, 6th Maintenance Group ("I'll Be There")