Some singers see their live concert performances disrupted by crazy fans, bad weather or technical meltdowns.
The frightening sound of rocket attack sirens in Afghanistan stopped the show for 2008 Canadian Idol winner Theo Tams.
"It was one of the most surreal experiences I've ever had," Tams told CTV's Canada AM on Wednesday.
"I hit the stage. Within 10 seconds there were 10 guys saying ‘It's okay man. You'll be fine.' My heart was racing. It's not a sound you want to hear."
It was the first time the 25-year-old singer from Lethbridge, Alberta had performed for Canada's Armed Forces stationed in Afghanistan.
"Too me, it was just something so important to do because of what they do," says Tams, who is planning another Afghanistan show in 2011.
"But it was eye opening," he says.
"I've never known anyone who has been in the Forces. Getting hit in the face with that reality was something I've never experience before."
Canada's soldiers are an inspiration
The pop singer rocketed into the limelight in 2008, when Tams won the sixth season of the CTV reality show "Canadian Idol."
His debut album, "Give It All Way," was released in May of 2009 by Sony Music Canada.
Critics called Tams an unlikely bet at the start of the "Canadian Idol" competition.
The artist drew laughs from the judges during his audition after a bad case of nerves left his shirt soaked through with sweat.
But Tams' perseverance throughout the "Idol" competition, and his win, has been an inspiration for fans.
"I hear that all the time," says Tams.
The star, however, has a new take on what true inspiration is after seeing Canada's soldiers in Afghanistan.
"These people and what they do on a daily basis is courage that I've never really seen before. That was inspiring."
