LOS ANGELES -- The energetic sounds of trumpets, bass drums, trombones and various instruments filled a television studio as contestants on the nation’s longest running game show competed for various big-ticket prizes.
Producers from “The Price is Right,” invited Marines from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing band to lend their musical talent for the second annual Veterans Day “Salute to the Military” episode at CBS Studios in Los Angeles Aug. 11.
“It’s inspirational for the country to see these fine Americans in uniform and it’s a way for us to honor them,” said Stan Blits, the co-producer of the show. “We loved them so much last year we decided to have them come back and we are looking to make it a tradition.”
Clad in dress blue uniforms, the group of 18 Marines played “Stars and Stripes Forever” and service songs of each branch during the show.
More than 300 service members from all branches of the military filled the television studio with applause and cheers as they rooted for their brothers in arms on stage. The announcer, Rich Fields, invited the service members to “come on down” and compete in a variety of signature games including, “Plinko,” “That’s Too Much!” and “More or Less”.
When a service member won any of the games, the band played their branch song, including the “Marines Hymn,” “Into the Wild Blue Yonder” and “The Army Goes Rolling Along.”
“When they put the camera on us it was an awesome feeling to have,” said Cpl. Pedro MillanGuzman, a French horn player with the band. “It was exciting. I mean, how often do you get an opportunity like this? It was an honor to show our esprit de corps for the viewers and the audience.”
After hours of games, the contestants walked away with prizes such as a desk, a vacation package and a sports car. The show’s host, Drew Carrey, a former Marine sergeant, shook hands with the band members and signed autographs after the show.
“The band was a great addition to the show,” said Carrey. “There’s nothing like having a loud band play for this show. I really liked how they played each of the branches’ songs when they won a prize. It was so successful having the band last year, and I was excited to have them back again to play for us.”
Millions of Americans will hear the patriotic sounds of the 3rd MAW band when the show airs on CBS, Nov. 11. Check your local listings to find show times for the Veterans Day episode of “The Price is Right.”