WASHINGTON – Houston-based Latin band La Mafia will travel on its second USO tour to Germany and the Netherlands to perform free shows for troops stationed far from home. The tour is set for Jan. 23-Feb. 1, and is co-sponsored by the U.S. Army Installation Management Agency-Europe MWR and Armed Forces Entertainment. The band also will “meet and greet” military personnel, tour job posts and pose for pictures with service members and their families. In November, the band performed a USO show for troops stationed at Fort Carson, Colo.

One of Latin music’s most versatile and influential bands, La Mafia is best known for its unique style, crossing contemporary Pop sounds with traditional Mexican influences. La Mafia recently released its 35th album, “Para el Pueblo,” which features the hit singles “Tienes Razon” and “Sufriendo El Corazon.” The album, the group’s first in three years, was released on the band’s record label, Urbana Records, and won the 2005 Latin Grammy in the “Grupero” (Group) category. Members include vocalist Oscar de la Rosa, keyboardist/accordionist Armando Lichtenberger, Jr., drummer Joe Gonzales, keyboardist/vocalist David de la Garza, bassist Tim Ruiz and guitarist Ivo Bove.

For more than two decades, La Mafia has been performing together and traveling the world in support of their albums. Released in 1981, the group's debut album garnered both critical and commercial success. However, it was their first release on CBS International/Sony Records that skyrocketed the group to stardom. "Estas Tocando Fuego," released in 1991, sold more than one million copies. Their follow-up, "Ahora y Siempre," went triple platinum in 1993. The group received numerous accolades, including the 1996 and 1997 Grammy Award for "Best Mexican-American/Tejano Music Performance."

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For nearly 65 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by World Partners, AT&T Corporation, BAE SYSTEMS, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Military Channel, S&K Sales Company and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-0600), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at www.uso.org www.uso.org.