9 December 2005

Our Haley off to Iraq

| Kerces
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Remember Haley Jensen? AKA Our Haley?

Canberra’s own former Australian Idol competitor is off to Iraq, the Canberra Times reported today.

Along with Angry Anderson, Beccy Cole, Bessie Bardot and Little Pattie, Ms Jensen will entertain troops in “the morale-bosting Tour de Force concert tour over Christmas and the New Year”.

The performers are all donating their time for this tour. One does wonder how many paid gigs Our Haley has actually had since Idol.

She says she’s “really excited” about the tour, but admits she might find the helicopters a bit scary.

Idol star to entertain the troops
By Megan Doherty

In a big boost to her fledgling career, Canberra’s Haley Jensen has been selected to perform for Australian troops in the Middle East over the festive period, including a Christmas Eve concert in Iraq.

Jensen, 22, who was a finalist in last year’s Australian Idol, will join Angry Anderson, Beccy Cole, Bessie Bardot and Little Pattie in the morale-bosting Tour de Force concert tour over Christmas and the New Year.

Now living in Sydney, where she is recording her first album, Jensen said she was honoured to be selected for the tour, in which the performers are donating their time and services.

“At Christmas time, for the troops to be away from their family and not with the people they love, it’s pretty hard,” she said. “But it’s not hard for me to go and do it for one year.

“To give a little of our time and spend it with them to brighten their spirits should be fantastic. I feel very honoured to be invited to do it.”

Performing in Iraq on Christmas Eve would be an unforgettable experience. “I think as we go to get on the Black Hawk helicopters it might be a bit scary but at the moment I’m really excited about it,” she said.

During the concerts, Jensen will be performing songs from her forthcoming debut album, due out in April 2006, and will be supported by the Royal Australian Navy Band.

Little Pattie, who was in Canberra yesterday, to open an exhibition at the National Archives of Australia, did a similar concert tour during the Vietnam War. She expected to be the “mum” figure on the trip this time around.

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Thumper, it was a Senior NCO’s mosquito dome…

I would say the last thing she should worry about is helo’s. Unless some lunatic wearing a turbin aims rocket at one.

I wonder if some towelhead’s got a roadside IED with her name on it?

Stop knocking the girl, okay so she’s delusional if she thinks she has a career in the industry but she can actually sing – it’s personality and charisma she’s lacking in.

Absent Diane12:42 pm 09 Dec 05

I doubt she will be pulling anything else

Puggy – FYI Bessie has been to the gulf at least once already, so it will be a homeoming of sorts for her.

Mael – I hope she can pull a beer better than she sings, otherwise the boys will be pissed off. A lot of head just isn’t as satisfying as the real thing…

Speaking from experience, it’s a great event for people who are overseas on active service.

I however recall a similar event in Timor when the band asked why the audience weren’t excited, to which a humourous reply yelled “Cause we’re not pissed or high”.

Perhaps Hayley is being sent in her previous capacity to pull beers for the lads ?

Puggy Pearson11:26 am 09 Dec 05

The troops have seen Bessie’s escapades over the net. Time to see her in the flesh I guess (hope she brings her female friends)

What happens if there’s a sequel to Blackhawk Down? Do you reckon Angry Anderson would don his Rambo hat and escort the lovely ladies to safety?

Yeah, well the Americans have been experimenting with aural-warfare for years. Stands to reason that we might dabble in the same area….Oh – hang on, she’s being sent for what now? To CHEER THE TROOPS UP? WTF?

I think the lovely (and intelligent) Ms Bardot will be the highlight for the diggers and that they may find themselves with extras when ‘our Hayley’ wants to spread a little Christmas cheer.

Slinky the Shocker10:45 am 09 Dec 05

It might be a secret plan to keep insurgents down: ‘Stop bombing or she’ll sing!!!’

Fledgling? I suppose … her career trajectory has been “plucked” after all.

No no no Ari, read Ms Doherty’s article. It’s a fledgling career…

It’s probably apt to send her to Baghdad, since her career has bombed so spectacularly.

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