UPDATED... KISS and Vet-Tix Sponsor Huntington "Roadie" of the Day IMAGES

A Showtime television series of the same name  called these behind the scenes workers --- tour managers, lighting technicians, monitor engineer ---- the unsung heroes of touring. They do not play , sing or dance, they ensure that when the band takes the stage the tremendously technical portions of the production come off as planned. Cameron ("Almost Famous," "Say Anything") Crowe links his passion for music with film legend J.J. Abrams (one of the executive producers) depicting the nomadic lifestyles on buses working  a different arena each night.

Luke Wilson stars in the series, as Bill, the band’s tour manager, and Carla Gugino as Shelli, the production manager, are two of that show's ensemble which  fulfill the show must go on tradition.

It's not the first production to chronicle the backstage workers, who according to  an "Esquire" article, prefer now to be called technicians.

The 1980 film, "Roadie," starred Meatloaf as a truck driver. That film's  tagline boasted that "bands make it rock and roadies make it roll."

A 2011 production focused on  the homecoming of Jimmy Testagros (Ron Eldard)  after 20 years on the road with Blue Oyster Cult. Hometown life consisted of caring for his ill mom and taking a love plunge with a old, now married, friend.

Those circumstances reflect too upon "coming home" challenges of long time military service veterans, including those with disabilities.

However, Sgt. Martin, who lives just across the state line in Tazewell, Virginia, works full time for the WV National Guard.  He gained acceptance as KISS "roadie" from  tons of resumes for the one day job at the Huntington concert.

A self-described  KISS fan, since the 70s,  Martin detailed "Rock and Roll All Night" and songs from that era his favorites. 

For well understood security reasons, our glimpse at Martin and his wife Barbara's duties came nearly six hours prior to any light illuminated or any band took the Big Sandy Superstore Arena stage. He and his wife had an assignment assembling  VIP packets in the conference center.

"I'd like to thank KISS for all they have done for the veterans in honoring heroes" on their current tour. Martin called working the show "a great opportunity," which coincided with the 30th anniversary of he and his wife, Barbara.

The soft spoken veteran of two deployments to Iraq briefly told of helping the people "over there rebuild infrastructure and schools they lost," which is  under reported and seldom dramatized.

Martin's full time  job at the Bluefield HQ has required that he be a  behind the scenes "supply"  coordinator during many of the state's flooding events, including this year.

In addition, Purple Heart veteran, Jeremy Horsley, who lost an eye during Iraq combat, received a mortgage free home from an ongoing partnership with Dr. Pepper, Walmart, and the Military Warriors Support Foundation.

This is the fourth time that KISS has participated in the home award to a veteran. Ever since the first home awarded on a KISS stage four years ago, the band has lead a pledge of allegiance to the flag at every concert. At the Huntington show, during chants of "U.S.A., U.S.A.," KISS reminded the audience, "it's always cool to be a patriot and [that] serving in the military is cool" before asking concertgoers to "put their right hands over their hearts."

KISS made a $150,000 donation to veterans, too.

Huntington Mayor Steve Williams announced during the concert that the BSSA performance had "sold out," had become the "highest grossing show in BSSA history," and had become the highest grossing concert in the now wrapped KISS "Freedom to Rock" tour. He issued a proclamation honoring the band, too.

SEE: City of Huntington video, https://www.facebook.com/City-of-Huntington-WV-133857096625209

Vet Tix  provides tickets to sporting events, concerts, and performing arts which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage currently serving  members of the military and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life.

“Where there are empty seats, Vet Tix seeks to fill them with people who have served our country and their families. Giving an event ticket is an expression of appreciation and recognition that honors the service of the troops today and long after their tour of duty has passed,” said Mike Focareto, CEO of Vet Tix. “Attending these events helps veterans reduce stress through entertainment, strengthen family bonds, build life long memories, and encourage them to stay engaged with American life and local communities.”

The organization helps fulfill "hero wishes," too, be they a family trip to Disney World,  a short fishing holiday, or a family's first NFL game. The non profit, 501(3)(c) organization has distributed 2,269,960 event tickets in all 50 states. For further info and to donate click, http://www.vettix.org .