MILITARY SUPPORT
Country artists continued their commitment to support the U.S. Armed Forces and its members by traveling overseas and performing concerts on military bases at home.
- Trace Adkins, Kix Brooks, Bob DiPiero, Randy Houser, Joey + Rory, Buddy Jewell, Jamey Johnson, Toby Keith, Kellie Pickler, Keni Thomas, Emily West, Zac Brown Band and many more performed on USO tours.
- Craig Morgan performed at the Jack Daniel’s / USO “Toast to the Troops” at McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.
- Sugarland performed in Kuwait as part of the USO-sponsored “VH1 Divas: Salute the Troops.” The special, which aired on VH1 and was hosted by Kathy Griffin, featured performances from Katy Perry, Heart, Nicki Minaj and more.
- Aaron Tippin and the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) joined forces to honor American Military Aviation and those who fought in flight. As the 2010 CAF celebrity spokesperson, Tippin appeared at events and recorded PSAs.
- Trisha Yearwood performed at the USO Gala in Washington, D.C., to honor military members and their families. While in town, Yearwood also visited wounded soldiers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
- Mark Chesnutt, Aaron Tippin and Darryl Worley toured with Stars for Stripes for troops stationed throughout the Middle East. Worley also brought his music stateside with Army Entertainment to present his “God & Country Tour,” in which he performed at Army bases across the United States.
- Gloriana toured U.S. military bases in the Middle East with Navy Entertainment.
- James Otto offered fans a free download of his song “Soldiers & Jesus” in honor of Veteran’s Day.
- Brian Stace participated in the America’s Adopt a Soldier program “Challenge America 2010” and the Army Ten-Miler.
- Proceeds from the sale of My Country: Smash Hits benefit the Fisher House Foundation, an organization that aids military families by building “comfort homes” for their use while their loved ones are treated for injury, illness or combat-related conditions.
- Comedian Ron White hosted the CMT special “Celebrity Salute to the Troops,” which included a performance by Rascal Flatts. Proceeds benefitted the Armed Forces Foundation.
- Zac Brown Band joined the Letters for Lyrics campaign, which encourages Americans to write letters to U.S. troops abroad.