Sings National Anthem at Brass Band Concert
On Sunday afternoon a Staff Sergeant from Minot Air Force Base took center stage at the Brass Band of Minot concert and proudly led the audience in the National Anthem, the opening of the Brass Band of Minot Patriotic concert. Her name was SSgt Allie Payne, member of the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron where she is a weapons load crew chief.
Music has always been a part of Allie Payne’s life. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native got her first guitar at age 11, from her Dad. “I grew up in an environment of music. My Dad sang and played in a band. My Dad and I communicated through music, not around the kitchen table like some people do.” Payne sang in choir all through high school, but when she was 17 she had made up her mind that she would enlist in the Air Force, and the summer of 2018, after graduating from high school, she was headed to basic.
It was on February 1st of 2019 that she arrived in Minot for her first assignment at Minot Air Force Base. “Yes, I remember it was so cold. There was a polar vortex, and the temperature was 50 below!” remembers Payne. “My first day we only worked half of a day because of weather.”
As tough as those first few days were, Payne has grown to love Minot. “I am going to PCS to Korea in February, and I am just going to hate leaving here,” she said. “This is where I grew up, here. I grew up in the Air Force and I grew up to be the adult I wanted to be.” But the assignment to Korea will allow Payne to work on F-16s, which, according to Payne, is “something that I’ve wanted to do.”
The call to perform the National Anthem at the Brass Band of Minot concert happened because of her singing Karaoke for fun at a local lounge. The DJ at the lounge was Trust Tate, who knew that the Brass Band was looking for someone from Minot Air Force Base to do the anthem, and he recommended Payne. From there, the arrangements were made and on October 1st, Payne was able to practice with the Brass Band. The Patriotic Concert was scheduled for October 8th at Anne Nicole Nelson Hall. Not only would Payne lead the audience in the National Anthem but would also lead the audience in God Bless America.
Payne took center stage at 4 PM, and as the Brass Band performed behind her, she led the audience. “It happened so fast. It seemed like just two seconds, and it was over,” said Payne. “I really, really enjoyed it. I was so nervous, but I realized that I really missed that kind of setting…being involved in music.”
At the end of the concert, Payne was able to make her way down to the auditorium floor “and just meet people. They are all so nice. It was such a healthy environment to be in.”
Allie Payne will also remember October 8, 2023, as one of the highlights of her time in Minot. Soon she will be headed to Korea.
When not on duty Payne enjoys the outdoors. “I love camping. I love backpack camping. [In my time off] I go to the gym, read books and take care of my three cats. You know it’s kind of like having three toddlers.”
For Payne, the opportunity to perform with a band like the Brass Band of Minot, in front of an auditorium filled with people, will be a moment she remembers, and shares, for quite some time.
