Jamey Johnson joins Kellie Pickler & Randy Houser for 2010 USO Tour to Persian Gulf

Press Releases - Jamey Johnson

ARLINGTON, Va. – Country music star Kellie Pickler to return to the Persian Gulf to visit and entertain U.S. troops on what will be her third USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour.  Re-teaming with singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson and country music newcomer Randy Houser, with whom she recently performed a benefit concert in Nashville, the trio will visit numerous combat outposts, perform a series of shows and pose for photos.  This will be the first USO tour for Johnson and Houser.

Forever changed by her first USO experience to Iraq in 2007, Pickler accompanied the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen on his celebrated USO holiday tour in December of 2009.  Traveling to five countries in just five days, Pickler joined the likes of Kid Rock, Lewis Black, Zac Brown and other celebrities in entertaining more than 11, 500 troops. 

“The USO tours I’ve been part of have definitely been the highlight of my career and my life,” said Pickler.  “It has been the most impactful, life-changing thing I’ve been able to do.  I look forward to returning to the region and in sharing this experience with Jamey and Randy.”

A former “American Idol” contestant, Pickler released her self-titled sophomore album in 2008.  Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Album Charts, the album’s success makes Pickler the sixth country music artist to have both their debut and follow-up albums debut at No. 1.  Her newest single, “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You,” landed at Top 20 and is steady climbing the charts.  Rejoining girl pal Taylor Swift in March 2010 for the second leg of their Fearless Tour, Pickler appeared in this month’s issue of Shape Magazine.

A former U.S. Marine, who served eight years of military service, Johnson is known for his songwriting skills and has worked with some of the best in the business including Trace Adkins, George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Willie Nelson and the Oak Ridge Boys.  Exiting the recording studio in 2008 with the release of “Lonesome Song,” the album went gold and earned him an Academy of Country Music Award for his second single, “The High Cost of Living.”  Having hit the road with CMT and Houser for the past few months, Johnson’s popularity is steadly growing.

Catapulting into country music stardom following the release of debut album and emotional ballad “Anything Goes,” Houser is quickly winning over audiences with his believability and riveting vocal prowess.  His second single, “Boots On,” landed him at #2 on the charts and went on to make the singer the #1 most played new country artist in 2009.  With "Whistlin' Dixie" soaring up the singles charts now from his forthcoming sophomore album, slated for release in 2010, and off the helm of co-headlining CMT On Tour, it's easy to see why the Los Angeles Times said Houser "adds grit to the genre." 


About the USO
The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases around the world, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services tailored to meet troop needs. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops and their families, wounded warriors and their families, and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency; we rely on the generosity of our donors. In addition to individual donors and other corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, S & K Sales Co. and TriWest Healthcare Alliance, as well as other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). We strive to deliver maximum benefit for troops and their families from every donor dollar. For more information, please visit www.uso.org.