Tuesday  May 3, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Vanessa Parker-Davis / Splash! PR
                  Vanessa@splashpublicity.com
                   615-321-1383

Chely Wright Performs “Welcome Home” Concert for Troops Stationed In Germany

Nashville, TN – Dualtone recording artist Chely Wright departs for Germany this week to perform at a “Welcome Home” concert and visit with some of the troops she performed for on her most recent trip to Iraq last September.   Some of those troops, from a base in Schweinfurt, Germany, returned from duty at Camp Summerall, near Bayji City in Iraq in February and immediately departed for some “R&R” in the U.S. for 30 days.  They have returned to Germany now where Stars for Stripes www.starsforstripes.com, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality entertainment to internationally deployed U.S. military forces, is working with the United States Army – Europe to provide entertainment for the “Welcome Home” concerts for those who are serving our country.

This particular group of soldiers has a special place in Chely’s heart because she first met them and performed for them last year when she visited Camp Summerall in September of last year.  While she was there, she met a young soldier, Army Spc. Joshua Henry.  Josh stood in Chely’s autograph line and the two struck up a conversation about his last name because it is also Chely’s mother’s maiden name. One of the musicians in Chely’s band also recalls talking with Josh about being from Pennsylvania. Sadly, the day after Chely and her band performed, Josh lost his life.  It was especially sobering to all in the group.  Chely felt strongly about going back to visit with the men and women who served with Josh and perform for them once more, this time, a “Welcome Home” concert.  Additionally, Josh’s parents are also traveling to Germany to spend time with the soldiers who spent their son’s last days with him.  Because this is an unusual situation, Chely has been in communication with the young man’s parents and will express her deepest sympathy to them again, this time in person.  Chely also dedicated her music video, “The Bumper of My SUV,” to Josh and his photo is shown at the end.

In addition to her performance at Kessler Field in Yorktown Village in Schweinfurt, Chely will also be presenting a check to Stars for Stripes.  It is a personal donation from her proceeds of the sale of her hit commercial single “Bumper of My SUV.”  Chely’s father was a serviceman, as was her grandfather and her brother is serving today, so she is proud and happy to help Stars for Stripes in their mission to support our troops.