On May 31st, Minot AFB hosted its first ever “Minot’s Got Talent” talent show at Rocker’s Bar and Grill! The event was open to anyone on Minot AFB to try-out or attend. Rocker’s had food and drink available for purchase and the bar stayed open throughout the event. People sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed as each performer got up and showcased their incredible talent!
The talent show hosted the amazing performances of nine performers. MC, TSgt Joshua Thornton from the 5 Operations Support Squadron, did an amazing job creating a comedic and entertaining atmosphere and drew in a crowd of over 200 people! The performers themselves were comedians, poets, rappers, singers, and there was even a band that included two of the Minot local populous, and two Airmen! With a grand prize of $200, the turnout was incredible!
The event did last a bit longer than initially intended, specified to end around 10pm but continued to go until almost midnight. The crowd was having too much fun to notice the hours ticking by and everybody continued to laugh and go along with the charming antics of the MC until the fruition of the event.
Colonel Ottinger from the 5th Mission Support Group, explained why the appeared to be such hit with the community. “This event is great for a couple reasons. First, the turnout was incredible. Having a packed Rockers is what we want–expect more of this! Second, the Airmen showed up and shared their authentic selves with us.” Colonel Ottinger further explained that the Airmen show what the Air Force expects on duty, but it’s great to see the human side of the Airman as well! This sentiment was perfectly demonstrated by the performers as some of them showed a very emotional side to themselves that night. The talent show had a few Airmen who wrote their own poetry and songs to perform in front of the crowd.
The winner of the Talent Show was a young Airman, A1C Devin Edmonds from the 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron. He played an original piece on his guitar and sang his own lyrics for the crowd! One of the most memorable parts of the night, was when AMN Carolynn Montague from the 5th Operations Support Squadron took the stage. Accompanied by A1C Edmonds, she blessed the crowd with a rendition of “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar. They both had the crowd in rapt attention. Flashlights were brought out across the bar and swayed in time with the music.
In the end, all performers were brought up to the front of the stage and as TSgt Thornton rose his hand over each member, the crowd would cast their vote in the form of cheers. First, the crowd had narrowed it down to five performers, A1C Trent Mifflin, a rapper and a poet, SSgt Brendan Miller, a comedian, A1C Devin Edmonds and singer/songwriter and guitarist, AMN Carolynn Montague, a singer/guitarist, and finally A1C Alycia Hardgreaves, a rapper/singer. In the end, AMN Montague, A1C Edmonds, and A1C Hardgreaves were in a winner take all situation. Even though A1C Edmonds did win the grand prize, it was a tough fight. Each performer showed their most unique and talented selves, and it was not an easy vote.
All in all, this was an impeccable event. Rocker’s did an amazing job hosting and each performer was extremely talented and deserved to be heard! With the turnout of the talent show, we can only hope that these events continue to draw in a big crowd as Minot comes back from the covid enforced shutdown that has finally ended! Colonel Ottinger and Chief Master Sergeant Sharp informed the crowd following the event that the intention is to continue moving forward with holding nighttime events on base!
