He'll keep the beat for troops stationed in Iraq

Glendale Arts and Culture commissioner Amador Solis will practice his art amid other cultures over the next few weeks as he travels on a USO tour to entertain troops stationed overseas.

Solis, a drummer, will join pop singer Tey Punsalan in touring Iraq and several surrounding countries, performing a total of 23 shows in 20 days. The group will depart Friday and return May 17.

"I'm hoping to learn a lot and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Solis said. "This is an opportunity not many would take because they might be afraid."

Though he has safety concerns, Solis chose to take the three-week tour in spite of the danger.

"Three weeks is a long time — and it's war country, so there's a possibility I could die," he said. "But there's always a possibility I could die here, too. If I can help the troops and serve my country in my own special way, then it's something I'm honored to do."

His mother, city activist, former Glendale Water & Power Commissioner and recent City Council candidate Lenore Solis, is proud of her son's decision.

"I think it's great," she said. "I think all of us should do our part, regardless of how we feel about the war. How we feel has nothing to do with entertaining our troops."

Amador Solis, who has served on the arts commission for three years and is now the senior member, is no stranger to seizing opportunities.

When appointed to the commission at 18, he was the youngest member to sit on any city commission. He was recently reappointed to serve another three-year term.

"I think it's brave and I certainly wish him well," fellow commissioner Eve Rappoport said. "It's a really interesting opportunity to see, first-hand, what's going on. I give him a lot of credit."

Amador Solis has a keen interest in music. He met his drum teacher while working at Charles Music in Glendale during his freshman year of college and has been keeping rhythm with his drums for nine years.

He has his sights set on being a professional musician one day, he said.

"It's going to be a great experience for him and I'm sure the troops will be excited to have him there," said Scott Wittenberg, drum manager at Charles Music and friend to Amador Solis.

He is now preparing for what he expects will be an extremely strenuous but rewarding trip.

"The group had a drummer, and the drummer quit a few weeks ago — so I auditioned," he said. "I was lucky to have my passport and identification ready to go."

Since then, Amador Solis has been practicing frequently to learn the songs before the group leaves at the end of the week.

"I'm very proud of my son," Lenore Solis said. "I think it's great he can use his talent to serve our troops."