NASHVILLE, TN. (For
Vince Gill &
Amy Grant Christmas Tour: Alison Auerbach P.R.) -
Amy Grant and Vince Gill's Dec. 6 Christmas concert will be broadcast live to American troops in Baghdad and to US troops in 177 countries.
The show will originate from the SBC Center in San Antonio, Texas, and be carried by the Armed Forces
Radio Television Network. An added feature of the event will be a two-way audio/video hookup that will enable selected soldiers and their family members in the audience to see and talk to each other. This will mark the first time that such a face-to-face hookup has been arranged.
Because of the historic nature of this "electronic reunion," reporters from national media outlets are being invited to cover the concert. Similarly, media in Iraq will watch the broadcast and speak to the soldiers selected to participate in the hookup.
"Our men and women in the military and their families continue to make great sacrifices for our country," says Allison Barber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. "The Department of Defense appreciates when people such as Amy Grant and Vince Gill take time to recognize and appreciate that sacrifice."
The San Antonio concert, which is the fourth stop on the 14-city "Simply Christmas With Amy Grant & Vince Gill" tour, will also be taped for re-broadcast Dec. 6-12 to U. S. military forces elsewhere in the Middle East, Europe and the Pacific. Besides Grant and Gill, the tour features the Nashville Chamber Orchestra and comedian Henry Cho.
"The SBC Center is proud to present this unique opportunity which allows two-way communication between military families in San Antonio and their loved ones serving in Iraq," said John Sparks, General Manager of the SBC Center. "As a 20-year veteran, I feel this is an honor for the San Antonio community to have a chance to come out and see a great show that's in support of our troops."
Because of time-zone differences, troops in Baghdad's Green Zone will be viewing the San Antonio show at 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 7. A major conduit of live and taped programming, the Armed Forces Radio Television Network broadcasts in 177 countries. Details on its varied operations are posted at www.myafn.net.
"Simply Christmas With Amy Grant & Vince Gill," the most recent incarnation of the duo's famed holiday specials, launches Dec. 2 at the Baton Rouge River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and will conclude Dec. 19 at the Office Depot Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Arny Granat, President of Jam Productions, which is co-promoting the tour observes, "This very special holiday concert in San Antonio has just become extraordinary."
Philadelphia-based SMG and Jam Productions are the promoters of the 2004 tour and also promoted Vince & Amy's Christmas Tour in 2003. Ten of the fourteen facilities that are on the 2004 Vince Gill & Amy Grant "Simply Christmas" tour are managed by SMG...the world's largest private facility management company.
Wes Westley, President of SMG, co-promoter of the tour added, "As an ex-Marine, I remember how I appreciated Bob Hope's touring shows. It gives me great pleasure to be associated with this terrific first-time event for our troops."
Tulsa, Okla.-based Vyvx is providing two-way fiber-optic connectivity to and from the SBC Center in San Antonio and use of its nationwide network for distribution of the live concert event.
"Vyvx is proud to provide live two-way broadcast video transmission services, enabling global distribution of this historic event between U.S. troops and the SBC Center," said Derek Smith, Vice President of Vyvx.
