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WASHINGTON D.C. (March 6, 2008) - Troops in Kuwait preparing to
deploy into Iraq will get a crash course in rock-and-roll MySpace
style when the online social network hosts its "Operation MySpace"
concert March 10.
"For years, troops stationed all over the world have utilized
MySpace as a lifeline to communicate with their loved ones back
home," said Tom Anderson, a MySpace co-founder. "Many of them have
been generous enough to share their unique experiences with me
through messages on MySpace. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity
to thank them in person and bring along the entire MySpace
community."
MySpace co-founder Chris DeWolfe expressed pride in being able
to entertain the troops and bring them a small piece of home,
though they're thousands of miles away.
"We're incredibly proud to host this one-of-a-kind concert," he
said. "Unlike past variety shows or concerts of this nature,
Operation MySpace will connect people, content, and culture a world
apart through the live webcast of the show and interaction on the
Operation MySpace profile."
The concert, part of the MySpaceLive! series, is being presented
in cooperation with the Defense Department's Armed Forces
Entertainment and America Supports You programs. Some of today's
most popular music acts -- including Filter, Disturbed, The
Pussycat Dolls, DJ Z-Trip and Jessica Simpson -- will rock the
Kuwaiti desert for the troops stationed in the country. Comedian
Carlos Mencia will host the three-plus hour event, which will
stream live on the MySpace Web site at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on March
10.
"This MySpaceLive! concert is an exciting event because it
communicates to our troops that people from all walks of life and
from all types of companies support their service to our country,"
said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense of
internal communication and public liaison. "MySpace is a great
medium to connect our military members and their families, who
serve in 177 countries, to the folks back home. We are so glad to
have MySpace as part of the team working with both America Supports
You and Armed Forces Entertainment."
Armed Forces Entertainment is a supporter of the Defense
Department's "America Supports You" program, which connects
citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families
serving at home and abroad.
The connection Barber mentioned is already happening. Troops'
families and friends, as well as the entire MySpace community, can
post videos and messages of support via a video blog section on the
myspace.com/operationmyspace Web site, set up just for the concert.
That same site will feature scrolling goodwill messages during the
live webcast of the show.
MySpace and Defense Department officials aren't the only ones
excited about entertaining the troops. The musicians are thrilled
with the opportunity.
"It's truly an honor to perform for the troops," Jessica Simpson
said. "Through Operation MySpace, I get to serve my country by
doing what I love to do in front of thousands of brave men in
uniform. It's every girl's dream!"
The Pussycat Dolls had similar sentiments. "We're so excited to
be performing for the troops and supporting our Armed Forces
overseas," the group said in a statement.
FX television network will broadcast a condensed one-hour
version of the show on April 12 for those who won't be able to
catch it live.
For more information on the Operation MySpace concert, visit the
MySpace Web site.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals,
groups and organizations that are helping support the troops,
visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America
Supports You directly connects military members to the support of
the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their
quest to find meaningful ways to support the military
community.
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