The Spirit of the USO is the USO of Illinois' own music program. Led by USO Community and Entertainment Director, Alison Ruble, and comprised of Chicago-based, professional musicians and entertainers, the group acts as the musical ambassadors for the organization, performing live for thousands of military and civilian audiences alike with an engaging mix of classic rock, pop, country, blues, and jazz. They have been featured on NBC, ABC, and WGN television networks, and locally at Navy Pier's Skyline Stage, U.S. Cellular Field, Toyota Park, Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and numerous City of Chicago events, including Chicago Summer Dance, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Flag Day and U.S. Army and U.S. Marines Birthday Ceremonies. Regionally, they have showcased at Milwaukee's famed Summerfest Music Festival, have been guest artists with the world-renowned U.S. Army Field Band's Jazz Ambassadors Big Band and make a yearly appearance at the Illinois State Fair for Veterans Day. They reach out to military and civilian communities through a wide variety of performances that support Illinois military unit balls and conferences, as well as at the Department of Aviation's "Music in the Air" programs at Midway and O'Hare Airports, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago funding drives, and as featured artists for the Department of Defense Regional World War II Commemoration Ceremony at Skyline Stage in Chicago. Click here to request USO of Illinois Entertainment

To learn about each band member

2009 Shows & Events: February 9 ~ "Love Songs and Serenades" Benefit for USO at Petterino's Chicago February 28 ~ 108th Sustainment Brigade Military Ball March 21 ~ Chicago ROTC Fire Battalion Ball May 12 ~ FED EXEC Board Luncheon, Chicago, IL May 16 ~ We Do Care “Bringing it Home” Webcast, US Cellular Field May 16 ~ Spirit of the USO Band, Armed Forces Day, Navy Pier - Open to the Public May 16 ~ Spirit of the USO Band on ABC-TV Morning Show May 16 ~ Marine Corps League Reception, Navy Pier, Chicago May 18 ~ Grati-Tokens Event at Starbucks, Schaumburg, IL - Open to the Public June 11 ~ Army Birthday Ceremony, Daley Plaza, Chicago - Open to the Public June 14 ~ Arlington Park Salute to the Troops, Arlington Racecourse - Open to the Public June 18 ~ 21st Annual NCA Symposium June 19 ~ 110th Navy Corpsman Ball June 29 ~ CDR Paul Mehler, USCG Change of Command Ceremony July 4 ~ National Anthem for Great Lakes 4th of July Ceremony July 4 ~ National Anthem on 93XRT for Taste of Chicago July 5 ~ Summerfest Salute to the Military, Milwaukee, IL - Open to the Public July 10 ~ CPT David A. Schnell, USN, Change of Command Ceremony & Reception August 8 ~ Illinois Army National Guard Senior Leadership Conference August 16 ~ Veterans Day at Illinois State Fair, Springfield, IL - Open to the Public October 10 ~ Great Lakes Navy Ball October 17 ~ USO Star-Spangled Salute Gala, Navy Pier November 7 ~ 2/24 Marine Ball 2008 Past Events: February 15 Union League Club of Chicago Annual George Washington Birthday Celebration April 19 USO of Illinois Volunteer Recognition Event May 3 Navy Marine League Wine Tasting, Port-O-Call, Naval Station Great Lakes May 10 3rd Annual USO Gown-A-Palooza! Event, USO Great Lakes May 14 Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Military Appreciation Reception May 17 Armed Forces Day at Navy Pier presented by the USO, Beer Garden Stage June 8 USO Day at the Races, Arlington Racetrack Jazz Quartet in the International Room, 11:30am-2:30pm June 11 Army Birthday Celebration, Daley Plaza, Chicago12 Noon-1pm June 13 Dignity Memorial Lincoln Vietnam Memorial Wall Lincoln/ Beverly Cemetary, 12300 S. Kedzie, Chicago 6:30-8:30pm Patriotic Prelude and Dedication June 20 110th Anniversary Great Lakes Hospital Corpsman Ball USO Jazz Quintet,6-9pm July 3 "Salute to the USA!" Naperville Municipal Band Concert Featuring USO Jazz Vocal Ensemble 7:30-9:30pm , Naperville, IL For more info, visit: www.napervilleband.org July 4 City of Hinsdale 4th of July Parade Downtown Hinsdale, IL 9-11am July 4 Chicago Summer Dance in Grant Park Spirit of the USO Jazz Ensemble plays “Big Band” style 7:30-9:30pm show, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago www.ChicagoSummerDance.org July 11 Great Lakes Hospital Picnic, Naval Station Great Lakes Base Aug. 8 Addressing the Needs of Returning Military and Their Families Conference Wyndham Lisle Chicago in Wheaton, IL USO Jazz Quartet 6-9pm Aug. 10 Veterans Day at the Illinois State Fair, Springfield, IL 3:30-5pm show Sept. 12-13 ILNG Senior Leadership Conference, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, IL Sept. 13 MSGT Chris Miller, USAF Retirement Reception, Union League Club of Chicago Nov. 8 MACG-48 Marine Ball, Arlington Racetrack 6-11:30pm Nov. 15 USO "Salute" Gala Navy Pier Grand Ballroom 2007 Past Events: April 13 Chicago Army ROTC Fire Battalion Military Ball. April 21 USO Volunteer Recognition Event April 28 USO Gown-A-Palooza Event May 19 Armed Forces Day at Navy Pier May 28 USO Show & Memorial Day Event, Glencoe, IL June 14 City of Chicago's Army Birthday Celebration in Daley Plaza, Chicago June 22 Gathering on the Green, Western Springs, IL June 29 Arlington Race Track, Arlington Hts., IL July 1   USO Day at the Races, Arlington Race Track July 31  ILNG 635th Transportation Battalion Deployment

Alison Ruble, Director of Entertainment arubleuso@ameritech.net