Multi-platinum hard rock band and Chicago Open Air performers Drowning Pool recently surged to viral status after 82-year-old Navy veteran and aerospace manager John Hetlinger performed his favorite karaoke track - Drowning Pool's hit song "Bodies" - on the popular NBC competition show America's Got Talent, surprising and charming viewers everywhere. Video of the performance instantly went viral, with over 7 million views in the first two weeks... and counting. 
 
Shortly after the outpouring of attention, Drowning Pool guitarist CJ Pierce sat down for a chat with Entertainment Weekly, inviting Hetlinger to perform with them during their upcoming set at Chicago Open Air. Hetlinger replied on Twitter accepting the invitation, and the rest is history! 

 
Hetlinger will join Drowning Pool onstage at Chicago Open Air during their 2:00 PM set on Friday the 15th.
 
Chicago Open Air is a three-day music, craft beer and Gourmet Man Food festival being held July 15th, 16th and 17th at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL, just outside Chicago. Other performers for America's biggest metal festival include headliners Rammstein, Disturbed and Slipknot, with additional performances from Chevelle, Korn, Five Finger Death Punch, Ministry, Breaking Benjamin, Marilyn Manson, Of Mice & Men and many more.

John Hetlinger states, "I am really amped-up to see y'all when Drowning Pool and I join you in Chicago this Friday afternoon for the Chicago Open Air festival. We are going to have a blast together - let the bodies hit the floor!"  

It's no secret that Drowning Pool support the troops and veterans in a big way, so not only is the band proud to perform with a fan of the band, they're honored to perform with an American hero as well.
 
"It's been an honor for us to play for our military every chance we've had," says Drowning Pool drummer Mike Luce. "On rare occasions, servicemen have joined us onstage here and there, but one thing's for sure - we've never shared the stage with an 82-year-old Navy veteran / aerospace manager crushing "Bodies". It's gonna be crazy throwing down with him! We can't wait to see everyone at Chicago Open Air!"
 
Drowning Pool has volunteered with the USO for 11 years and has incredibly strong family ties to the military.  Guitarist C.J. Pierce's father-in-law also served in the Navy, bassist Stevie Benton's father is a Vietnam veteran and drummer Mike Luce's brother currently serves. As a result of those personal connections, the band has entertained more than 22,000 service members on 14 military bases in five countries, to date. Drowning Pool has traveled with the USO to the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Iraq and Kuwait.