So why did the U.S. Army have the largest exhibit at the biggest Auto Show in North America? Were they trying to get the public interested in buying a personal tank? Or maybe they thought people would be interested in some slightly used military Hum-V's or a Bradly, a few Apache Attack helicopters or some Huey's?

Heck no, they were selling patriotism and goodwill and they blew the competition away!

Now, I'll be honest, the new Caddy's were awesome, in fact, I could just walk up to any auto in the GM Exhibit, with no waiting, and sit inside and smell that "new car" smell. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

As I walked to the Army Exhibit, just the size of this event, (over 1-million square feet,) made me feel like a kid again. As we approached the Army Exhibit on Friday morning, the crowd was incredible. I looked back at all the other exhibits to size them up, and there might have been one-hundred people in each exhibit; not bad for a Friday morning, but there were 1,500 people in the Army exhibit. By the time I setup and sound-checked, there were 2,500 people having the time of their lives.

The Army's presentation was designed for all ages. First, they wanted people to register to take part in all interactive activities, with everything being "free of charge."

SIDEBAR: Thank God for that, by the time you parked your car, paid for your tickets, and bought a soft drink and a popcorn, you were about tapped out of funds. Hell, you needed a co-signer just to buy a $12.00 bag of popcorn and if you were lucking enough to get any of the funds from Obama's Stimulus Bill you might be able to purchase a slice of Connie's pizza!

So why were people flocking to the Army Exhibit and why did they stay for at least 90-minutes? Because after you got in and out of 10 - 20 cars, it's all the same and it's boring to most people. The Army entertained you, yet gave you a clear picture of what it's really like to become a Soldier, a Patriot and serve your country. No matter what people might think, that is still appealing to most American's judging by the publics reaction to the men and women in uniform working in the exhibit.

Drill Sergeant's Harrison and Beal were like a "comedy team from Hell" in "The Pit," challenging patrons to sit-up, push-up and chin-up competitions. The crowds watched and laughed as the two Drill Sgt.'s "encourage" (and I'm being nice using that word,) men and women going through the paces. The best part for me is when a muscle-bound guy would try and show his girlfriend how tough he was, and challenge her to a competition ... and she would usually win. The Drill Sgt.'s were merciless, yelling things like "Wow, she's so tiny and you're so big and strong ... and she's kicking your butt," over their megaphones.  Harrison and Beal have a very humorous side and had me laughing so hard I was crying most of the weekend. Winners of the competitions would win Army key chains, patches, stickers and pins.

Saturday and Sunday, Harrison and Beal were joined my Drill Sgt. Browne and female Drill Sgt. Rodriguez. Of course, I had to talk to Sgt. Rodriguez, because she was just so damn beautiful ... and married. I asked her if her looks ever got in the way of training her Troops, and she shot me a smile, and said, "I love it when a Troop is going through basic training and brings up the fact that I have a pretty face, or they try and get on my good side by saying they met me at the Auto Show; they learn right away, never think that because I'm a female that I'm not tough or even tougher than any male Drill Sgt." That scared me.

Just past "The Pit" were some very sophisticated, interactive, life size, computer simulator/games. One was an Apache Attack Helicopter. The game was 7 - 10 minute's long and lines at times were 2-hours long, and worth the wait according to the people in line. Next to the Apache were two Hum-V's with a gun mounted on the turret.

Patron's could get their photo taken in a Golden Knight parachute (The award winning Army skydivers) and the finished photo made it look like you were really skydiving. That will be the closest I will ever come to jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

The rock climbing wall was a favorite for all ages. I saw families challenge each other, with four family members, strapped into harnesses; racing to the top of the 25-foot tower, to ring the buzzer, under the guidance of Soldiers. I did notice that when a man climbed up a wall, one Soldier was there to help, and when a female climbed, 3 - 5 Troops were there lending assistance ... and no females were complaining.

In the center of all action was a small stage area ... it was like the circular stage that Jim Lang on the Dating Game would use. That's where I performed. The week before me was Country Artist/Soldier, Jamie Buckley. The area was about 6-feet wide with plenty of room for myself, my amp and a microphone stand.


                             
Patriotic entertainer Joe Cantafio entertains at the U.S. Army Exhibit at the Chicago Auto Show (photo by Courtney Wittman; APA-Midwest)

30-feet in front of the stage was the "Dog Tag" booth, where folks lined up from opening until closing each day to get a FREE set of custom made military dog-tags. Tim Turpin got me a set while I performed and now I feel "official!"

Next to the stage was a 12-foot table, and at any given time, the Army had celebrities signing autographs, CD's and photo's. I was very impressed to meet two 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, from the Marksmanship Rifle Team; both were/are current members of the U.S. Army, and Glenn Eller and Vince Handcock were two of the greatest guys I have ever met.


               
US Olympic Gold Medalist Glenn Eller, rock musician Joe Cantafio, and US Gold Medalist Vincent Hancock in the Army Exhibit at the Chicago Auto Show. Eller and Handcock are members of the United States Army. (photo by Brandi Schiff; APA-Midwest) 

Members of the Chicago Storm (indoor professional soccer) were there all weekend as well, and so were Chicago Storm Chaser Cheerleaders. I never knew soccer had cheerleaders, but after meeting these girls I wasn't complaining.

One of my favorite celebrities was SFC John Adams, a real life Army hero ( Bronze Star recipient) and one of the Soldiers who actually acted in the filming of the video game "America's Army." John was mobbed by children who played the game at home and wanted to meet him. There is also a real action-figure-toy of Sgt. Adams, and people had a chance to win that toy by spinning a wheel. Sgt. Adams signed every single toy for all winners. Sgt. Adams, Glenn, Vince and I spent a lot of time together this weekend and at time I was asked to signed items for patrons after I would perform ... and people actually wanted things I was signing. Time are tough I guess.



     
Rock musician Joe Cantafio with American Hero; Bronze Medal recipient, SFC John Adams. The figure Cantafio is holding is an "Action Figure" of Adams, signed for Cantafio. Cantafio and Adams were in the US Army Exhibit at the Chicago Auto Show. (photo by Courtney Wittman; APA-Midwest)

Throughout the entire Auto Show, celebrities like Chicago Bear great Otis Wilson, radio and TV personalities and Generals were signing autographs.

On Sunday, February 22nd,  the last day of the event, Lt. Colonel John Box presented Certificate's of Appreciation to all the Soldiers at this years Auto Show. LTC Box is a great guy who I have known for a year, and as he finished handing out certificates, much to my surprise, he called me to the stage and presented me with a certificate and his coin. It was a very touching moment for me. I don't do this for awards, I do it to show appreciation to our service men and women who have volunteered to preserve and protect our great national knowing that part of that agreement is to sacrifice your life if necessary. As LTC. Box introduced me to a nice round of applause, I stood there a bit taken back. I put on my guitar, and kept reading the certificate as people kept clapping their hands, and all of a sudden, from behind me, Drill Sgt. Harrison screams over his megaphone at me, (as I jumped,) ...  "Sir, aren't you suppose to be playing your guitar?" ... and the crowd burst into laughter! That was the ultimate test, making sure my heart was operating perfectly! LOL


      
LTC John Box of the US Army Chicago Recruiting Battalion presents singer/musician Joe Cantafio with a Certificate of Appreciation at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. (photo by Courtney Wittmen; APA - Midwest)

I suppose the big payoff for the Army was the fact that young men and women were actually siging up to join in two secluted booths. I feel the Army has really hit a nerve with young American's with their newest ad campagne "Help Wanted." The posters list the incredible benefits including food, medical, a free education and a future. In these times; even for me, the offer is almost too good to pass up. I loved seeing the "Swearing In Ceremonies," knowing the young men and women who joined the Army over the past two weeks at The Chicago Auto Show will soon be defending freedom and bettering themselves as well.

I want to thank Tim Turpin and LTC John Box for being awesome hosts. A huge hug goes to Brandi Schiff and Courtney Wittman from Midwest Army Public Affairs for working hard to make sure the public had a great time. I have talked to former Cheap Trick bassist Jon Brant (who just turned 39 again this past weekend) about next year and Jon is "in" with me and we will perform as a duo.

God bless our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guard.

 

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