America Supports You: MySpace Set to Rock Troops in Kuwait

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

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.