| ARLINGTON, Va. – The USO kicks off new year with Armed Forces Entertainment tour to Persian Gulf featuring “American Idol” winner David Cook. Singer/songwriter to take his powerful vocals, chart-topping songs and down-to-earth Midwestern charm overseas to visit and perform for troops on the front line. The first USO tour for the rock belter, Cook will tour seven bases and sing songs off his self-titled album, including his latest hit ‘Light On.’
Taking the world by storm, Cook has been busy since his days on “American Idol.” One week after his big win, he rewrote chart history when 11 of his songs debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart – the highest number of new entries in a single week since the Beatles. Collaborating with some of the best in the business (including Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell and Goo Goo Dolls’ Johnny Rzeznik), he also appeared on “SNL” and inked an endorsement deal with Skechers.
“It’s no secret that a lot has happened in my life over the last couple years,” said Cook. “One minute I’m winning American Idol, the next minute I’m releasing my first major-label album and now I’m visiting troops overseas with the USO. I’ve had a lot of career highlights so far, but this tour ranks among the coolest and most memorable things I’ve ever done.”
Born in Houston and raised in Blue Springs, MO, Cook began singing in the second grade. Having picked up his first guitar at age 13 and formed his first band at 15, he graduated from college with a graphic arts degree before being discovered on the seventh season of “American Idol.” Encouraged by his brother to audition, Cook was declared the winner of the No.1 hit series in May 2008 with a record-breaking 56% of the nearly 100 million votes cast. Today, Cook continues to win over audiences with his debut album featuring “The Time of My Life.”
Volunteers are the heart of the USO. Their commitment and support of our men and women in uniform allows the USO to carry out its mission 24-hours a day, seven-days a week. Celebrity entertainers serve as the USO's most visible volunteers. They render their time and talents to enhance the quality of life of service members and boost troop morale. Entertainers who recently participated on USO tours include Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler, Lewis Black, Zac Brown, Tichina Arnold, the Ying Yang Twins, Curt Schilling and David Feherty.
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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.
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.
For a list of recent and upcoming 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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