ARLINGTON, Va., May 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
WHAT: Grand Ole Opry/USO 75th Anniversary Tour featuring multiplatinum recording artist Trace Adkins
WHEN: Spring 2016
WHERE: Middle East and Europe Note: For security reasons, country names and tour dates cannot be released at this time.
WHY: Continuing a time-honored country music tradition of supporting those in uniform, Grammy-nominated megastar Trace Adkins will kick off the Grand Ole Opry/USO 75th Anniversary Concert Series with a weeklong USO tour. Adkins' trip to the Middle East and Europe will be the first of many 2016 Grand Ole Opry/USO tours to feature the Opry Circle Throwdown. Adkins, along with other country music stars yet to be announced, will take a treasured Opry tradition with them on the road and perform on a replica of the famed six-foot circle of wood that sits center stage at the Grand Ole Opry House.
As country artists and fans know, the circle was removed from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium and placed in the Grand Ole Opry House when the world-famous show moved to its permanent location in 1974. Generations of country music greats and USO tour veterans from Minnie Pearl and Little Jimmy Dickens to Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley have performed atop of the circle's wooden boards. Adkins and a series of Opry stars will now bring that experience to service members and military families stationed around the world.
Adkins, who was recently awarded the National Defense Industrial Association's Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for being an exceptional leader and advocate for service members, has toured with the USO since 2002. One of the first musicians to travel to the Middle East, he has participated in 10 USO tours to seven countries and entertained more than 49,000 service members and military families. He has traveled with the USO to Afghanistan, Bahrain, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kuwait and the U.S.
Adkins' trademark baritone voice has powered many hit songs, selling over 10 million albums. "You're Gonna Miss This," "Ladies Love Country Boys" and "Songs About Me" are just a few of his hits. He roared back onto the music scene in 2016 with the release of his hit single, "Jesus and Jones." When he's not in the studio or performing on stage, the Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry is a TV personality, actor, author and avid supporter of America's service members and their families.
QUOTE: Attributed to Trace Adkins: "Some of my fondest and most memorable moments have been with the Grand Ole Opry and the USO. We go back some 15 years together. They both are incredibly special to me and it's an honor to have played a part in their rich histories. It's also a real privilege to share my Opry and USO experiences with our nation's toughest – our service members and their families. I can't wait to head back out on my next trip."
NOTE: The Grand Ole Opry, the USO and Trace Adkins encourage fans to join them in connecting our nation's service members to family, home and country. Every day is an opportunity to show your appreciation. To support the USO's Campaign to Connect, visit uso.org/connects and help the USO reach 1 million messages of support to military families stationed around the world.
About the USO The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President's Circle Partners: AT&T, the BNSF Railway Foundation, Clark Construction Group, LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, FedEx, Johnson & Johnson, Kroger, NFL and Four-Star Partners: Advisors Excel, BIC, ConAgra Foods, GEICO, JCPenney, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Starbucks, TKS and the Wawa Foundation. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=40379
For USO - Oname Thompson (703) 908-6471 For Trace Adkins - Tiffany Shipp OR Kaila Frisone (212) 691-2800
