Fairchild Airman to compete at AMC Icon singing competition

by Staff Sgt. Michael Means
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

10/12/2012 - FARICHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- A Fairchild NCO will sing in the Air Mobility Command Icon singing competition Oct. 25 at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Staff Sgt. Abigail Foster, a former Tops in Blue vocalist and member of the 92nd Maintenance Squadron, got her chance to go to the AMC Icon after winning the local Fairchild Air Force Base Icon competition for her rendition of "God Bless America."

All AMC installations conducted base level talent shows, during July and August. Local contestants competed for $1,000 in cash prizes.

"I didn't expect to win with all the talent performing," Foster said. "I really just wanted to sing and perform."

The AMC Icon program is loosely based around the hit TV program, American Idol.

The top finishing Air Force vocalist competes for $2,000 in cash prizes during the Icon finals being held at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

"It isn't about the money and winning or losing," she said. "It's just about going on stage and performing."

"AMC is loaded with many extremely talented Airmen. Icon is one of the best ways for those folks to showcase their talents within the command," stated Scott Black, chief AMC marketing and Icon program manager. "Now in our fifth year of AMC Icon, we've been blessed with an abundance of exceptional vocalists, and had several of our finalists go on to perform with Air Force Tops in Blue."

Finalists are accompanied by the Air Force Band of Mid-America and arrangements are in the works to broadcast the show live over the internet.

"It's a lot of pressure competing at that level because you are going against phenomenal people who have talent and it's frightening," said Foster. "There is always someone better than you, but it is great to meet people who love to do things you love to do."

Foster said her goal for AMC Icon is just to sing and make a difference. To make someone smile or forget about their bad day is what it's all about, she added.

"I don't think I have a great voice," she said with a chuckle. "Other people think I do but for me singing is just what I like to do."