4TROOPS Announce National Tour

NEW YORK, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 25, 4TROOPS embark on their first National U.S. tour in support of their self-titled CD which was released in the spring.  

4TROOPS are United States combat veterans - three young men and one woman who served on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan.  While overseas, music played a crucial and very personal role in all of their lives.  They would sing at everything from large military events to more intimate settings like memorial services.  4TROOPS now have a new mission: to sing on behalf of all troops, to honor their sacrifices and to create awareness for their needs – and they are taking it on the road!

The members of 4TROOPS are: Former CPT Meredith Melcher, Former SGT Daniel Jens, SSG (Ret.) Ron Henry and Former SGT David Clemo.  Melcher, 29, is the daughter of a retired three-star General.  She served as a platoon leader on the front lines in Iraq where she led her troops in the successful ambulance evacuations of hundreds of wounded Americans and Iraqis.  Jens, 36, served in Iraq and was most recently stationed at Fort Hood. He joined the army after the events of 9/11.  Jens was one of the finalists on "America's Got Talent." He was released from the Army at the end of January.  Henry, 41, served in the Army for 20 years. He was a transport manager in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, and also the leader of an Army singing group "Transportation Express."  Clemo, 30, served on the front lines in Afghanistan providing communications and logistics support for the 18th Airborne Corps.  He and Melcher toured together in 2004 with the Army Soldier Show.

The tour will feature music from their album which consists of well-known patriotic pop and country songs.  Songs like "For Freedom," an inspirational patriotic tune written by Matt Moran for his grandfather, a WWII vet, take on a special meaning in the context that they are performed by these four combat heroes.  Other songs include a unique version of Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," Lonestar's "I'm Already There," and Rascal Flatts' "Bless The Broken Road."

An important element to the 4TROOPS project is giving back to organizations that support our U.S. soldiers and veterans. On many stops on the group's tour, one dollar from each concert ticket will be donated to the following organizations: The American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF) and the USO.  In addition, Sony Music will donate 50 cents from each sale of the 4TROOPS album in the United States to these organizations.

Since being signed to Sony Masterworks 4TROOPS have appeared on many National TV shows including Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Larry King Live, Huckabee and CBS Early Show. This October they will participate as special celebrity guests on an episode of Don't Forget The Lyrics. They have also performed for fellow soldiers at Military bases around the country and at events including the New York METS and Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day games, the PGA Tour Players Cup and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Their 4TROOPS PBS Concert Special 4TROOPS: Live From The Intrepid is airing now (check local listings). A DVD version of this show complete with bonus content will be available on 9/21.

4TROOPS are also the authors of a brand new book entitled 4TROOPS: THE MISSION IS MUSIC, published September 14 by Newmarket Press. In 144 pages and more than 100 color photos, Meredith, Daniel, Ron and David tell their own stories, from growing up in all corners of the nation, to deciding to enlist, to performing music while serving, and finally coming together as a band. Their book recounts their experiences recording their debut album, taping their concert special onboard the U.S.S. Intrepid, and making new fans while performing across the country. It also features a special section on the history of music in the military. It is available wherever books are sold.

For more information on 4TROOPS please visit www.4TROOPSmusic.com.

If you would like to learn more about how you can support the organizations affiliated with this project, please visit their websites at legion.org, iava.org, fallenheroesfund.org, uso.org.

SOURCE Sony Masterworks