Rockin' the Corps

Rockin' the Corps is a thank you concert designed to show appreciation to the Marines and sailors returning home from Iraq and to the men and women of the United States Marine Corps.

Reception

The concert was a great success . The free event was attended by approximately 44,000 active duty military personnel and their families and broadcast by the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network to 880,000 servicemen, servicewomen and civilians at bases world-wide.

Celebrities such as Mary J. Blige, Cindy Crawford, Randy Jackson, Carmen Electra, Alyssa Milano and Sharon Stone and Musicians such as Beyonce with Destiny's Child, KISS, Ted Nugent, Godsmack, Darius Rucker with Hootie & The Blowfish and Ja Rule among many others made appearances and performed in support of the troops.

The show was organized by Support The Corps, a non-profit organization founded by Joseph E. Robert, Jr., CEO of the J.E. Robert Companies and a renowned Washington, D.C.-based businessman and philanthropist. Mr. Robert reached out to legendary media leader Quincy Jones and Kerzner International executive Jerry Inzerillo who brought in highly regarded music and film producer Spencer Proffer and esteemed music manager Doc McGhee to produce the event. The show was shot with 12 cameras in high-definition and was also transmitted to U.S. military bases around the world on the American Forces Network. Proffer was charged with overseeing all the business affairs and cross marketing activities for the event as well.

On Memorial Day 2005, Yahoo! featured excerpts from the event on their site in a salute to U.S. armed forces around the world. The theatrical release of "Rockin' The Corps" premiered June 26 in Washington, D.C., at an event hosted by "Rockin' The Corps" founder Joseph E. Robert, Jr. On Monday, June 27, special screenings were held on 150 screens in 75 top markets throughout the United States at Regal, Edwards and United Artists theatres as part of their Big Screen Concert series through their national Cinemedia division. A one-year broadcast initiative began over the July 4th holiday weekend on the prominent HD Networks, iN Demand, with subsequent television broadcasts, both free and pay-per-view, which continue to interest in this special, ground breaking enterprise for the troops serving America.

Nationally, TV, radio, print and online media covered the event. ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT aired two featured segments. Additionally, Access Hollywood, Extra, E! Entertainment Television and People Magazine gave the event prominent national exposure. AOL held a Listening Party for CD online. They also featured the DVD & CD at their Military Community page for a thirty day period. Live Event Title Sponsor was Toyota and the in theater and DVD lead sponsors were Toyota and Waste Management. Also, the Concert had the following sponsor participants: Bank of America, Bombardier Learjet, Coors Light, FedEx, First NLC Financial Services, Pepsico, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Wachovia Banks, Waste Management. Additional sponsors include Apex Oil Company, Washington Group International, MGM Mirage, Securitas Security Services USA, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., Hooters, National Multi Housing Council, Sprint, Albert L. Lord, The Acker Foundation, Douglas Development, Milledge & Linda Hart, Russ and Norma Ramsey, Randy & Lara Lerner, Wells Fargo, Verizon, Jet Blue Airways, Four Seasons Resort, Outth!nk, and the St. Regis Resort.

Track listing on the commemorative CD

1. "Star Spangled Banner" – Ted Nugent
2. "Awake" – Godsmack
3. "Whatever" – Godsmack
4. "I Stand Alone" – Godsmack
5. "Cat Scratch Fever" – Ted Nugent w/Godsmack
6. "Livin' on a Prayer" – Richie Sambora
7. "It's My Life" – Richie Sambora
8. "Wanted Dead or Alive" – Richie Sambora
9. "Only Wanna Be with You" – Hootie & the Blowfish
10. "Hold My Hand" – Hootie & the Blowfish
11. "Detroit Rock City" – Kiss
12. "Love Gun" – Kiss
13. "Rock and Roll All Nite" – Kiss
14. "Evolution of a Marine" – Original Score written and produced by Lawrence Brown & Spencer Proffer

Additional appearances

In addition to the headlining bands, Rockin' the Corps featured appearances by Cedric the Entertainer, Ted Nugent, Richie Sambora, Mary J. Blige, Randy Jackson, Chris Tucker, Heather Locklear, Sharon Stone, Carmen Electra, Louie Anderson, Cindy Crawford, Karl Malone, Jay Mohr, the San Diego Chargers cheerleaders, and the Hooters girls. All the performers pledged their support for the troops and thanked them for the work they do.

Full Cast

• Beyonce Knowles with Destiny's Child
• KISS
• Ted Nugent
• Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi
• Godsmack
• Darius Rucker with Hootie & the Blowfish
• Ja Rule

Crew