Traveling Guitar Foundation Founder Damon Marks to Embark on USO Tour to Germany

Twitter Pitch: @damonmrks and @travelingguitar to embark on @the_USO tour to Germany!

WHAT: USO tour featuring Traveling Guitar Foundation Founder (TGF)/guitarist Damon Marks

WHEN: May 19-23, 2013

WHERE: Germany

1. WHY: Guitarist/songwriter and founder of the Traveling Guitar Foundation (TGF) Damon Marks to spread his love of music to troops and their families on his first-ever USO tour to Germany May 19-23. During the five-day morale boosting trip, Marks will spend time at multiple military schools – where he and the TGF team will perform, interact with students and stress the importance of music education. Marks will be joined by fellow musicians Oz Fox, guitarist for the Christian rock band Stryper, Allen Steelgrave and Patrick Stone of the band Steelgrave, and Electric Life//DIOS Music recording artist Derek McKeith (Director, West Coast Programs, TGF)..

Adding to the excitement, the group will tour Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the USO Warrior Center and the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF), as well as dine with and perform for troops awaiting transport out of the region. Among the bases to be visited are, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Ramstein Air Base and U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden.

In homage to our men and women in uniform, Marks will formally announce his donation of Schecter electric acoustic guitars, EMG pickups and Mogami cables, along with accompanying study guides, to several Department of Defense Dependents Schools, the USO Warrior Center and the CASF in Germany. In early 2013, Marks and the TGF donated guitars to the USO’s brand new, state-of-the art USO Warrior and Family Care Center’s Music Room at Fort Belvoir – which opened in February 2013 to help our wounded, ill and injured troops and their families heal.

Marks and the TGF are avid supporters of our military community and the USO.  A seasoned performer, Marks has worked on Alicia Keys’ Freedom Tour as guitarist for her opening act, R&B artist Jermaine Paul, winner of the 2nd season of “The Voice” and played at numerous world-renowned arenas, including Madison Square Garden. In 2010, he founded the TGF – a nonprofit organization that provides equipment and support for schools struggling to finance music education programs. In March 2013, Marks released his highly anticipated album “Back to Good” sold exclusively on iTunes. For more information on TGF visit http://www.travelingguitarfoundation.org

QUOTE: Attributed to Damon Marks:

“When I learned about the USO and all the great work they do not only for active duty troops on the frontlines but also our wounded warriors and military families, I knew I had to do something to show troops how much they are appreciated and valued. I chose to do that by volunteering my time and granting them the wish of music. It is a privilege for me and the Traveling Guitar Foundation to be a part of such a terrific experience.”

NOTE:              The USO strives to deliver life-changing experiences for troops and their families around the world, like this Traveling Guitar Foundation USO tour to Germany.  Visit uso.org and learn more ways the USO strives to always be by the side of those who need us most: our nation’s deployed troops, military families, wounded, ill and injured troops and their caregivers as well as families of the fallen.

About the USO

The USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors and families of the fallen. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.

In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President’s Circle Partners: American Airlines, AT&T, Clear Channel, The Coca-Cola Company, Grand Canyon University, jcpenney, Jeep, Kangaroo Express, Kroger, Lowe’s, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Procter & Gamble and TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Worldwide Strategic Partners: BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation and TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381).  To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.