ARLINGTON, VA. (Top40 Charts/ USO) - Country music singer / songwriter
Kellie Pickler will soon travel to the Persian Gulf to perform for service members as part of a USO/MNC-I entertainment tour. This is the first USO tour for Pickler, who will show her gratitude to troops by performing songs from her current album, posing for pictures and signing autographs. Pickler will also visit with armed forces personnel and share her experiences since her days as a contestant on Fox Network's "American Idol."
In appreciation for U.S. troops and the sacrifices made by their loved ones, Pickler joined Brad Paisley, among others, in early August for an impromptu concert at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. She kicked off the show and performed for more than 35,000 soldiers and their family members. Following the event, Pickler, along with other music artists, were presented with a souvenir of thanks by Major General Jeffrey Schloesser of the U.S. Army.
"I am so grateful to the USO for the opportunity to travel overseas and perform for troops," says Pickler. "When I performed for them back in August, it felt really good. Having a chance to offer my sincere thanks again and spend quality time with them is a dream come true."
Born in North Carolina, 21-year-old Pickler auditioned for "American Idol" in the fall of 2005 and made it all the way to the top sixth spot. Winning over the show's judges, including Simon Cowell, and viewers worldwide, she signed a record deal with RCA's BNA Records. In October of 2006, Pickler released her debut album "Small Town Girl," which landed at No. 9 on the Billboard album chart and nabbed the top spot on the country album chart. Most recently, Kellie performed on the 2007 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards as a Horizon Artist Nominee.
Historically, few events have left a more lasting positive emotional impression on service members and their families than USO celebrity entertainment tours. Since the USO's inception in 1941, thousands of celebrities have selflessly lent their time and talents, and traveled to military bases around the world to entertain the troops. USO tours are essential to fulfilling the USO's focus on boosting troop morale by bringing a small piece of home to them.
