McConnell Icon winner competes at AMC

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing public affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  With all eyes glued to a brightly lit stage, 30,000 fans repeat a chorus of lyrics back to him. Hands are in the air, and feet stomp the ground, as the concert-goers jam to one soulful-sounding boom operator. 

Staff Sgt. Douglas Boren hopes that dream will one day be a reality. For now, he will showcase his vocal talent at the Air Mobility Command's Icon finals, Oct. 22, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Central Standard Time, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. 

In August, he placed first here at a base-level Icon contest founded loosely on the television show, "American Idol." Now the sergeant will compete against 12 Airmen from other AMC bases, plus one competitor from an AMC affiliate unit. 

Sergeant Boren is an instructor boom operator for the 384th Air Refueling Squadron, who has been singing for at least 30 years. He's never had formal, professional training. The talent came naturally, he said. 

"Music is what I do; I play the guitar, drums and keys," he said. "I'm the guy who can't listen to the radio to fall asleep because I start tapping and humming along. It just makes me stay awake longer." 

After winning with his rendition of the country music song, "Start a Band," by Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, the first thing he said came to his mind was moving to the next level. At Scott AFB, he will try to compete for $2,000 in cash prizes and an audition for Tops in Blue, the Air Force's premier touring performance ensemble.
 
"I'm looking forward to being around other folks who enjoy music just as much as me," he said.

Sergeant Boren said he loves to watch live music. They'll be plenty for him to enjoy when he watches his competition.

"Being able to see a 12-person concert for free is going to be fun," he said, referring to his competitors.

The contestants will perform in front of a panel of judges, including two of Scott AFB's local community radio personalities and a university director of vocal studies who is also a recording artist.

Sergeant Boren will also have the opportunity to sing along with the command's live band, Starlifter, from the Air Force Band of Mid-America, who will be performing during the contest.

Sergeant Boren's fans here will be able to cheer him on via a live broadcast at Signatures lounge at the Robert J. Dole Center.

(Information provided in this article was contributed by Scott Black, AMC Icon program marketing)