ARLINGTON, Va. – Country music singer/songwriter Bucky Covington will soon take a break from recording his second studio album and travel to Europe, where he will visit and perform five free, private concerts for soldiers as part of a week-long USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour. In the region to boost troop morale, Covington will wow military families with his southern-rock sound and down-home charisma. He will also sign autographs and pose for photos. USO tour dates are:
DATE |
COUNTRY |
MILITARY INSTALLATION |
TIME |
Feb. 17 |
Kosovo |
Camp Bondsteel |
3:00 p.m. |
Feb. 19 |
Netherlands |
U.S. Army Garrison Schinnen |
7:00 p.m. |
Feb. 20 |
Germany |
U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern |
7:00 p.m. |
Feb. 21 |
Germany |
U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt |
8:00 p.m. |
Feb. 23 |
Germany |
U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart |
7:00 p.m. |
A former mechanic at his father’s auto body shop, Covington grew up in North Carolina, also known as NASCAR country, where he taught himself to play guitar and became a star on the local club circuit. Striking it big after becoming a finalist on the fifth season of “American Idol,” he parlayed his television success into a career in country music. Impressing millions with his vocal range and stage presence, Covington signed with Lyric Street Records and became one of country’s rising stars.
“I've been looking forward to doing a USO tour for a very long time,” said Covington. “To be able to perform for and meet the men and women who serve our country is a great honor. I'm also really excited to bring a little bit of home to our troops overseas, and since this will be my first trip outside the U.S., except for a short visit to Jamaica, I know it'll be a big adventure.”
Covington’s self-titled debut CD opened at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in April 2007, with the biggest first week sales for any debut country artist that year. The best selling debut artist of the ‘07 class, he is one of only three male country artists since 2005 to have three consecutive top 10 singles from his debut album. In addition to competing on “American Idol,” Covington has appeared on “Live with Regis and Kelly,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Good Morning America” and “Fox & Friends.”
In times of peace and war, the USO consistently delivers its special brand of entertainment and comfort to service men and women around the world. In 2008, celebrity entertainers traveled to 27 countries and 23 states, entertaining more than 236,000 troops and their families.
For a list of USO tours visit www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment. To learn more about the USO or to find out how to support the troops visit www.uso.org.
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About the USO
The USO (United Service Organizations) provides 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 Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, Blackwater Worldwide, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Clear Channel Communications, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, S & K Sales Co., and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information, please visit www.uso.org.
About Armed Forces Entertainment
Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and at remote and isolated locations. The Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces Entertainment.Founded in 1951, Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.
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