Thursday , March 28 2024

Toby and Ted In Iraq

Toby Keith and Ted Nugent are kicking the testosterone around in Iraq as part of a USO tour. I wonder of the Dixie Chicks were invited:

    More than 500 soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen crowded around a stage at a U.S. installation to hear country star Toby Keith and 1970s rocker Ted Nugent.

    “You guys are doing a great job over here,” Nugent told the audience Saturday.

    ….They had previously performed for U.S. service members in Kosovo, Germany and Italy. [AP]

Keith was just named the ACM Entertainer of the Year:

    Toby was named the ACM Entertainer of the Year for the second year in a row Wednesday night in Las Vegas.

    Toby received a total of four nods from the Academy of Country Music during the show, which was broadcast live on CBS from Mandalay Bay Resorts. He also received the coveted “hat” trophies for Top Male Vocalist, Album of the Year for “Shock’N Y’All”, and ACM/Launch Video of the Year for “Beer For My Horses”, a duet with Willie Nelson. Willie was also on hand to accept with Toby.

    Toby and the Easy Money Band also jammed with Willie and Kenny Chesney, just before presenting Willie with the prestigious Gene Weed Achievement Award.

Willie get the Weed Achievement Award? Shicking.

Keith also performed with Willie in a show that was broadcast on Memorial Day.

More on Keith and the USO tour:

    A strong supporter of our troops, the native Oklahoman traveled to Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia on a 2002 USO tour. This time, Keith is bringing along a special guest, rocker Ted Nugent, for troops stationed far from home. Keith’s devotion becomes even clearer when listening to some of his latest tracks including one of his most recent singles “American Soldier,” which chronicles the trials and tribulations of members of the armed forces.

    With a passion for music from a young age, the former semi-professional football player spent his young adulthood as the lead singer for the Easy Money Band. The group played local honky-tonks and bars, and the hard work paid off. In 1993, the singer/songwriter/producer released his self-titled debut album. The double platinum record enjoyed three #1 songs including “A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action,” “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and “Wish I Didn’t Know Now.”

    Over the next decade, Keith wrote many hit songs and released several more albums. Selling more than 20 million records, he toured the world bringing his down-home blend of country to a devoted fan base. Also during this time, he was showered with numerous awards and accolades including honors from the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association and the American Music Awards. His most popular album to date, the quadruple platinum “Unleashed,” contained the #1 singles “Who’s Your Daddy,” “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” and “Beer For My Horses” (a duet with singer/songwriter Willie Nelson).

    His latest effort, “Shock’n Y’all,” was released in November 2003 and debuted at the top of both country and pop charts. The triple platinum album also includes the #1 smash hit “I Love This Bar” and current Top-5 single “Whiskey Girl.”

    For 63 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has brought a touch of home to America’s military personnel. The USO is a congressionally chartered, nonprofit organization and is not a government agency.

And then there is the Nuge – he digs our military:

    Dear American BloodBrothers of the US Military, On behalf of workin hard playin hard all American families across the fruited plaines of the greatest nation in the history of the world, Tribe Nuge salutes all the brave warriors of America’s military — have always admired the brave men & women of The US Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force & Coast Guard, but now more than ever, people are beginning to wake up to the the dynamic depth of your committment to honor, justice, freedom & the American Dream. There would be no American Dream if it were not for the sacrifices & heart & soul committment you all make in our name for our quality of life. We bow in respect to your dedication & courage. I take the truth to the world everyday that it is you, the warriors on the frontlines of conflict throughout history, that have saved innocent lives and made the world a better, safer place. Your higher level of awareness through diligent training to destroy evil wherever it may raise its ugly head, is deeply appreciated by those of us who live a good life in the shadow of your blood & guts. I drive myself to do radio & TV interviews everday of the year so that the war protestors & peacenix get a shot of reality. We are all aware that if not for you, these protestors would not have the freedom to protest, and for that, we salute you again. Believe me when I tell you, that the vast majority of good families in America stand heart to heart with you on your mission of good over evil, and we pray for your safety and swift return home to the land of the free & the home of the brave as soon as your life and death hard work is finished. May God be with you and may the devil be crushed underfoot as you march for peace on the skulls of our enemies, for goodwill, security and a quality of life that comes only with democracy, freewill and a thank you to God for these precious gifts. Godbless & Godspeed the warriors, your American BloodBrother, Ted Nugent & family.

Dude doesn’t believe in paragraphs, but he has a way with vivid word pictures: “march for peace on the skulls of our enemies.”

About Eric Olsen

Career media professional and serial entrepreneur Eric Olsen flung himself into the paranormal world in 2012, creating the America's Most Haunted brand and co-authoring the award-winning America's Most Haunted book, published by Berkley/Penguin in Sept, 2014. Olsen is co-host of the nationally syndicated broadcast and Internet radio talk show After Hours AM; his entertaining and informative America's Most Haunted website and social media outlets are must-reads: Twitter@amhaunted, Facebook.com/amhaunted, Pinterest America's Most Haunted. Olsen is also guitarist/singer for popular and wildly eclectic Cleveland cover band The Props.

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