| Matt Poss and Rolling Thunder will perform their signature rocking country music show for troops stationed in Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq from April 2-15, 2009.
The tour will mark the third time Poss will perform for troops with Armed Forces Entertainment, an experience that he appreciates as much as his audiences do.
“We’re so glad to have Matt Poss join our tour again,” says Army Captain Erik Ogilvie, Armed Forces Entertainment Circuit Manager for Southwest Asia. “Audiences always respond well to him and he’s earned fans around the world with his energetic live performances and stirring music.”
When first approached to tour with AFE, Poss’ first question was, “Where do I sign up?” His cousin was stationed in Iraq, and he had a feeling that troops doubted how much people back home supported them. “I thought this would be a way to give back and let them know we do support them and the many sacrifices they make,” he says.
As it turned out, not only did he enjoy performing and interacting with the troops, he also realized the feeling was mutual. “You think you’re going over there to entertain them, but they really go out of their way to take care of you,” he says. “I really wanted Armed Forces Entertainment to send me back and go downrange, and they finally obliged.”
“The Stan Tour,” so named as a nod to the part of the world they’ll be visiting, will be a special kind of homecoming for Poss. About 3,000 National Guard soldiers from central Illinois are currently stationed in Afghanistan, and he’s looking forward to seeing a lot of them on tour. “I know almost all of them, and we played a sendoff party for them before they deployed,” he says. “It’s kind of my personal mission to play for them over there.”
Though his music sounds more like he came straight from Nashville, Poss hails from a small Illinois town called Effingham. With about 10,000 residents, it’s the largest in the county, which makes for a very tight-knit extended community. Poss’ pedigree is strongly
rooted in rockabilly, bluegrass and country, and was nurtured on the road when he played some shows with his family’s bluegrass band. “I played flat top rhythm guitar, which I must have picked up by osmosis just being around it,” he says.
Watching his older brothers struggle with life as rock musicians on the road didn’t give Poss a desire to follow in their footsteps. Instead, he wanted to be a writer, and became a teacher “to support that habit.” Later, he managed to blend his two passions, writing and music, and pursued songwriting.
Poss has been called “another link in the great chain of heartland rockers” as well as among “a new crop of rising country outlaws.” With influences that include Bruce Springsteen, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and John Mellencamp, Poss also pays homage to the great Steve Earl. “He runs my life,” Poss admits. “He made me want to be a musician.” He’s also had a chance to perform with Shooter Jennings, Jack Ingram, Marty Stuart, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, Shaver, Reckless Kelly and Eric Church.
As he prepares for his latest Armed Forces Entertainment tour, Poss can’t wait to perform for and visit with troops stationed in this part of the world. “I’m looking forward to experiencing some of what the troops are going through, he says. “At least we’ll get to breathe the same air as they do, and I think they appreciate that.”
###
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.
To learn more about Matt Poss and Rolling Thunder, visit www.mattposs.com.
|
