Matt Poss & The Wild Bunch brings VH-1-recognized country sound to the troops

June 12, 2007 download story

Up-and-coming group tours with Armed Forces Entertainment

Matt Poss & The Wild Bunch will bring their distinctive country sound to U.S. troops stationed in Europe June 26-July 10. The group has been called "Country's Revolution," for its high-octane country sound, with a rock-a-billy spin. 

“Our last Armed Forces Entertainment tour to Germany brought another level of awareness and purpose to our music.  Personally, it showed me that the men and women of this country's Armed Forces are doing everything they can to perform the job they are over there to do,” said Poss.  “It is a real treat for us to go over there, let them enjoy a true taste of home and send the message that Americans really do care, and want them home safe and sound when the job is deemed finished.”

Recently, the band played an Armed Forces benefit concert that raised money for the Wounded Warrior Fund, a non-profit organization operated out of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), in Landstuhl, Germany.  The band visited LRMC on their first European tour with Armed Forces Entertainment and witnessed firsthand the needs of wounded soldiers, most who arrive at LRMC with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing. The band requested people provide cash donations, which will be presented personally to the Wounded Warrior Ministry in Landstuhl upon their return this summer.

In November 2005, Poss was named the winner of VH-1's Song of the Year songwriting contest and was recently a finalist in 2006 for the song “Your Cowboy Rides Away.” These honors came only a couple of years after Matt Poss & The Wild Bunch recorded their first CD Fool Enough. The Effingham, IL-based band released a second, self-titled CD in October 2005. Singles from both CDs are receiving airplay on radio stations in the Midwest, as well as in The Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Australia.

The name of the band comes from one of Poss's favorite Western movies “The Wild Bunch.”  “The movie was made in a traditional fashion, but at that time it pushed the limits in a lot of ways," said Poss. "The film was so honest, which is what worked.  That's exactly what we do in this band.  We remain true to our country roots, but we are also pushing the limits to create a whole new sound. In addition to Poss, members of The Wild Bunch include Marty Williamson on lead and rhythm guitars, Rex Pickens on bass guitar, Adam Robertson on drums and George King on pedal steel.

“Matt Poss & The Wild Bunch have proven time and again that they are a country band with a fresh style and dedication to creating meaningful songs and lyrics,” said Marine Corps Captain Jesse Davidson, Armed Forces Entertainment circuit manager for the Europe circuit. “Having the band perform in Europe for the July 4th show will mean a lot to the troops who sacrifice so much and deserve to be honored on this patriotic holiday.”

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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.

To learn more about Matt Poss & The Wild Bunch, visit www.mattposs.com.