TYLER, TX – On Saturday night, country stars Joe Nichols and Heidi Newfield, with the help of fast-rising country artist Derek Sholl and “Nashville Star” finalist Kacey Musgraves, helped to honor the brave, wounded and disabled warriors from East Texas who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, at the “Country for Our Country” benefit concert in Tyler, Texas. Funds raised by the event will benefit Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF), and be used to support education for the wounded warriors, or their family members.
Emceed by radio personalities Big D and Bubba, the event took place at the beautiful Villa de Felicita in Tyler. MWSF founder, retired Lt. General Leroy Sisco, invited wounded warriors and their families from the region to the benefit concert and celebration, and the grounds were swarming with ticket buyers anxious to show their support.
The artists and Big D and Bubba all took a moment to pose in combat boots to show their support and respect for these brave troops who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Sherri Reuland, the event’s entertainment chair, commented, “The intention of these photos is to help remind us all that when they come back, let’s give back.”
An emotional highlight came when the capacity crowd viewed the music video for Derek Sholl’s new single, “When They Come Back,” a powerful and evocative tribute to America's returning combat veterans. Co-written with hit songwriter Tim Johnson, "When They Come Back" addresses a generation's struggle to readjust to life here at home after facing death and trauma overseas. The video stars Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman, a seven-year combat veteran of the United States Marine Corp who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism while on duty in Fallujah. Workman attended the event and signed copies of his just released book, Shadow of the Sword: A Marine’s Journey of War, Heroism, and Redemption (Random House).
This concert event kicked off a national awareness and fundraising campaign to help give wounded and disabled warriors activity, counseling and support when they come back home from military conflicts. Another event is planned in San Diego in February 2010.
High-resolution photos are available upon request.
Media contact:
Jim Havey, Jim Havey PR, 646.554.5519 or jhavey@jimhaveypr.com
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