Radio Host/Country Music Star Kix Brooks Returns From USO Tour to Iraq and Kuwait; Will Share Experience on Special Broadcast

Radio Host/Country Music Star Kix Brooks Returns From USO Tour to Iraq and Kuwait; Will Share Experience on Special Broadcast

American Country Countdown to air 'Live From Baghdad, Iraq,' February 16-17, Featuring Shout-Outs by U.S. Troops and First-Hand Accounts of Kix's Adventures Overseas

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Country music recording artist and nationally syndicated radio host Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn will broadcast a special edition of American Country Countdown following his return from a USO tour to Iraq and Kuwait to visit and entertain troops. The episode, "Live from Baghdad, Iraq," will air February 16-17 and feature live commentary from Baghdad, shout-outs from service members and first-hand accounts of Kix's adventures overseas.

(Logo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031119/USO )

(Photo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080212/DC13988 )

The program, dedicated to American troops serving in the Middle East, will be carried across ABC Radio Networks affiliate stations of American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks nationwide. The special will also feature an interview with BMI award-winning songwriter Bob DiPiero, who joined Kix on his USO tour, as well as a behind-the-scenes look into the day-to-day lives of troops overseas and USO entertainment.

"This was an incredible experience and a truly amazing USO tour," says Brooks. "The troops serving in the Persian Gulf are working very hard and are making a big difference. They welcomed us with open arms and were so appreciative for our visit and the chance to get a taste of back home."

Embarking on his first USO tour, Brooks flew into the region in late January 2008 and traveled to multiple military installations, including Camp Slayer, Camp Liberty, Camp Buehring and Forward Operating Base Falcon. During his visit, he met with more than 1,800 service members, signed autographs, posed for photos and chatted with soldiers. Brooks also performed some of the duo's well-known songs and extended his heartfelt appreciation to those in uniform.

"I learned a lot and am really excited about sharing my experience with the troops on this American Country Countdown episode," continues Brooks. "It's one thing to see our troops on television, but it's another thing to be there and have these experiences. I'm grateful to those that made this broadcast possible and am confident our listeners will love it."

Born and raised in Shreveport, LA, Brooks began his career in music as a songwriter and solo recording artist, having released his first album in 1989. He teamed up with Ronnie Dunn in 1990 to form Brooks & Dunn, the highest selling duo in music history. Since the two joined forces they have sold more than 30 million records, won more than 75 major industry awards and released more than 40 hit songs, 23 of which have reached number one status.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, there are currently 1.4 million active-duty U.S. service members and 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserves, with many serving overseas. USO entertainment tours are essential to fulfilling the USO's mission of boosting troop morale. Entertainers who recently participated in USO tours include Scarlett Johansson, Yellowcard, Robin Williams, Lance Armstrong, Lewis Black and Kid Rock.

Lifelock is the presenting sponsor for this American Country Countdown special broadcast, "Live from Baghdad, Iraq." AT&T, Inc. is the official telecommunications sponsor of USO entertainment tours. 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.

About ABC Radio Networks

ABC Radio Networks has 4,400 affiliate radio stations reaching more than 105 million listeners in the 12+ demographic each week. Programs and services include ABC News Radio, Paul Harvey News and Comment, The Sean Hannity Show, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, Big Boy's Neighborhood, The Doug Banks and DeDe McGuire Show, MoneyTalk with Bob Brinker, The Mark Levin Show, American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks, The Michael Baisden Show and Dick Bartley's Rock & Roll's Greatest Hits. Other ABC services include advanced digital media platforms with online interactive advertising, streaming audio and podcasts, ABC Sports Radio, syndicated music and talk programs including Flashback, format-specific ePREP, production libraries, 24-Hour Formats, including Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel, ESPN Radio and ABC Radio Networks en Espanol.

About the USO

For more than 67 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 Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems North America, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, DRS Technologies, Inc., 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 on the USO, please visit our Web site at www.uso.org.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Photographs of Kix Brooks' USO entertainment tour to the
Persian Gulf are available upon request.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031119/USO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080212/DC13988
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN10
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: USO

CONTACT: Oname Thompson of USO, +1-703-908-6471, othompson@uso.org; or
Louis Adams of ABC Radio Networks, +1-972-448-3150, louis.adams@citcomm.com

Web Site:

http://www.uso.org/

Company News On-Call:

http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/908313.html

-------
Profile: intent