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Country Music Stars and the Troops
 
 


"It’s really something to see artists come and support us. The morale boost that it gives is just like getting good letters from home."

Master Gunnery Sgt. Tom Rose, Marine Corps Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.
Minnie Pearl
Toby Keith Performs 17-Day USO Tour in Iraq
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, Iraq, May 28, 2006 – Country artist Toby Keith treats U.S. military personnel with a midday concert on Warrior Field, during his first stop of a 17-day United Services Organization tour through Iraq. This is the fifth such tour Keith has performed for the U.S. military, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. "You are the reason that I perform this tour," said Keith. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jeremy L. Wood.FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, Iraq, May 28, 2006 – Country artist Toby Keith treats U.S. military personnel with a midday concert on Warrior Field, during his first stop of a 17-day United Services Organization tour through Iraq. This is the fifth such tour Keith has performed for the U.S. military, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. "You are the reason that I perform this tour," Keith said. More Photos
Toby Keith Entertains Troops in Kirkuk
Toby Keith Rocks Djibouti
Toby Keith Entertains ‘American Soldiers’
Grand Ole Opry Kicks Off Summer Salute
Country music singer, songwriter and lead guitarist Rockie Lynne responds to the audience at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn., May 27 during an All-American Salute Signature Show featuring tributes to America's men and women in uniform. The audience, which included many military veterans, waved flags and gave Lynne a standing ovation after he sang "Red, White & Blue," a song on his new album. Lynne wrote the song for the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which highlights the public's efforts to show their support for servicemembers. Photo by Chris Hollo courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry NASHVILLE, Tenn – Some of the country music stars that write songs honoring the nation's troops and travel the world to bring them a taste of home performed at the Grand Ole Opry this Memorial Day weekend. The historic home of country music kicked off a summer salute to members of the military May 26 and yesterday that will run through Labor Day weekend. Story
Troops Appreciate 'Touch of Home'

Country music star Neil McCoy (left) and Pop music icon Wayne Newton (right) performed for 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers deployed in support of Joint Task Force Katrina during a USO tour Sept. 21, 2005, at Forward Operating Base Panther in Algiers, La.NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 29, 2006 – When the Air Force 332nd Recruiting Squadron got the chance to provide a color guard for the Grand Ole Opry's Memorial Day weekend All-American Salute Signature Shows, the airmen were happy to oblige. Story

65-Years: Country Music & the USO

Hank WilliamsThe USO's partnership with the country music industry is as old as the USO. The Grand Ole Opry and Gene Autry's radio show, "Melody Ranch," were popular programs during the 1940s.Country music stars from both programs traveled on several USO tours, entertaining military personnel stationed around the world. Thanks to exposure on USO tours, country music was introduced to many servicemembers from Northern regions of the United States who had considered the genre "hillbilly" music. Story (pdf)
Country Singer Follows Family Tradition
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