Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News, October 2011: MercyMe Returns from USO Tour to Middle East

MercyMe Returns from USO Tour to Middle East

NEWS SOURCE: The M Collective
October 11, 2011

ARLINGTON, VA. (Oct. 11, 2011) – Award-winning band MercyMe recently set out on their first USO/ Armed Force Entertainment tour. The six-member band delivered a touch of home to troops in the Middle East, staged three one-of-a-kind concerts, signed autographs and uplifted the spirits of service men and women.

Details:

This was the first USO tour for the band.

As part of their week-long USO tour the band visited Bahrain and Djibouti and lifted the spirits of more than 800 service men and women.

Since their debut in 2001, Grammy-nominated MercyMe have sold over 6 million CDs and DVDs and received multiple GMA Dove Awards, with all of their albums attaining either Gold or Platinum status.

Producing 23 No.1 multi-format Christian radio singles, and four consecutive mainstream radio hits including “I Can Only Imagine,” “Here With Me,” “Homesick,” and “So Long Self,” the band’s latest album “The Generous Mr. Lowell” was released May 2010.

A big supporter of military families MercyMe routinely donates concert tickets to troops and their families and their 2009 release “Finally Home” paid homage to service heroes.

Attributed to MercyMe lead vocalist Bart Millard:
“I can’t really express how much of a blessing this USO tour was for the band and myself, it was just amazing. There is no greater sacrifice then self-sacrifice and no one knows that better than our troops, ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem like enough but I hope they realize how much we appreciate their service.”

Christian rock band MercyMe recently returned from their first USO tour, where they visited troops stationed in Bahrain and Djibouti. Lead vocalist Bart Millard poses for a photo in front of a military vehicle on his way to visiting with service men and women. Photo courtesy MercyMe.

MercyMe pose with troops as part of their first USO tour. The six-member band recently returned from a week-long USO tour, where they visited with troops in Bahrain and Djibouti. Photo courtesy of MercyMe.

MercyMe take to the stage to perform for service members as part of the band's first USO tour. The band visited with service men and women in Bahrain and Djibouti as part of their USO tour experience. Photo courtesy of MercyMe

(L-R) Nathan Cochran, Barry Graul , Jim Bryson and Bart Millard of MercyMe listen intently as they are given a quick debriefing by this U.S. service member. The six-member band recently participated in their first USO tour and visited troops in Bahrain and Djibouti. Photo courtesy of MercyMe.