05:41 PM EST on Friday, March 17, 2006

Reported by: Mike Gooding

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It was the gig of a lifetime for the Fuzz Band.

For 18 days, the eight-piece Hampton-based jazz-rock-funk-and-soul group was the headline act for a USO tour of American military posts in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.

"We had everybody rocking and partying hard with the Fuzz Band," said Paul Saunders.

John Stratford added, "It was a lot of hard work, but it didn't seem to me like the fatigue was that great because of this mission. We were out there doing and who we were doing it for us, so it didn't seem like work, it seemed like a joy," he said. "We represented something that they hadn't seen in a long time, which was, just a piece of America."

Pierre Simmons, 13News

The Fuzz Band performed for U.S. forces in Iraq and the Middle East.

The band cranked out 13 two-hour sets for the forces in Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Nakia Madry called it, "the most unbelievable, life-changing experience you could ever go through. The people there are absolutely amazing. We formed friendships with individuals that will probably last a lifetime."

The trip wasn't without its risks, including mortar attacks at Camp Anaconda, in the heart of the Sunni triangle.

Wellington "Boo" Britt recalled what they were told to do if an attack occurred. " If we were outside and we heard, 'incoming,' go inside. But if we were inside, we were nine out ten times safe. But if someone came to warn us or whatever, but when we heard it we were inside and the majority of us like myslef, I hit the ground fast.

It was the trip of a lifetime, Duane Smith said. "I'd do it again. A nytime. In a heartbeat."