United States Navy Band

Country Current
Pedal Steel Guitar Audition
May 31, 2023

The United States Navy Band announces an immediate vacancy for Pedal Steel Guitar in Country Current.
The live audition will take place at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May
31, 2023, and is by invitation only, following recording review. Applications and recordings must be
submitted by Friday, April 21, 2023.

Formed in 1973, Country Current is the United States Navy’s premier country-bluegrass ensemble. This
nine-member band employs musicians with extensive recording and touring experience in the music scenes
of Nashville, New York, New Orleans and more. They perform a blend of traditional and modern songs in
both the country and bluegrass idioms. They have performed at the Grand Ole Opry and for every president
from Jimmy Carter to Joseph Biden. A staple of the bluegrass scene, they have shared the stage with music
luminaries including Rhonda Vincent, Dailey and Vincent, Mountain Heart, Little Roy Lewis, Third Time
Out, The Lonesome River Band, Josh Williams, J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, Ned Luberecki, Chris Jones
and many others.

Starting salary for a new member of the U.S. Navy Band is $73,056 - $78,096. Other benefits include 30
days paid leave annually, full medical coverage for members and their dependents, education tuition
assistance, the G.I. Bill, and student loan repayment up $65,000. Those selected for positions in the U.S.
Navy Band are advanced to the paygrade of E-6 (Musician First Class) following recruit training, under a
contract for permanent assignment to the U.S. Navy Band, Washington, D.C.

All applicants must be aged 18 to 41 and otherwise qualified for service in the U.S. Navy. Please note that
the Navy has strict requirements with regard to medical readiness and physical appearance.

Application Instructions

A final live audition will take place by appointment in Washington, D.C., and is by invitation only. In order
to be considered for a live audition, you must complete the steps below. All materials, including audio
recordings, are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 21, 2023.

Step 1: Fill out the U.S. Navy Band Audition Application

Current military members only - send a Letter of Endorsement to usnbauditions@us.navy.mil

Step 2: Submit a preliminary audio recording. Following completion of Step 1, you will receive email
correspondence from a Navy Band auditions manager, including instructions on how to upload your
recordings. Requirements for preliminary repertoire can be found on the following page.

It is important to reply to all email correspondence in a timely manner in order to successfully complete
your registration and confirm attendance at the audition.

RELEASED February 8, 2023

U.S. Navy Band Country Current Pedal Steel Guitar (MAY 2023) Page 2

Preliminary Requirements

Please submit an audio recording (.mp3 format preferred) demonstrating your ability to play pedal steel
guitar on three country songs, not to exceed 20 minutes in total length. The selections are your choice but
should demonstrate your abilities to play background and solo in the idiom. Video recordings are not
acceptable. No editing is permitted, other than to trim to length.

You must formally apply for this vacancy in order to receive electronic submission instructions. Please do
not send your recordings as e-mail attachments.

All application materials, including recordings, are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 21, 2023.

Live Audition Requirements

The live audition requirements will be sent to candidates who advance beyond the recorded round.

For more information about Navy Band auditions, email usnbauditions@us.navy.mil or contact the
auditions supervisor at 202-433-2840.