Toby Keith 'pulls for team U.S.A.' at FOB Fenty

Photo By Daniel Rangel | Toby Keith and his band perform for the troops May 20 at Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan.  

JALALABAD, AFGHANISTAN

05.23.2007

Story by Pfc. Daniel Rangel 

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

By Army Pfc. Daniel M. Rangel
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FENTY, Afghanistan – Multi-platinum selling, country music recording artist Toby Keith performed at a United Service Organization show, May 20, attended by hundreds of service members.

Keith's "Big Dog Daddy" tour is scheduled to start next month in the U.S. to support the new "Big Dog Daddy" album scheduled to be released later this year.

However, before his tour starts in the U.S., Keith wanted to come to Afghanistan.

"The reason we want to focus on Afghanistan is because I want to know what's going on here," Keith said. "The news back home only talks about how bad things are in Iraq. Obviously, there's bandits here too that have got to be dealt with. But for the most part, this country seems to be functioning. There are not as many insurgents."

During his tour, Keith is going to be sending a message to the people back home.

"The reason that nobody back home on the news talks about what's going on in Afghanistan is because there's not much bad to say about it. The [coalition forces have] done a wonderful job so that's the message I'm taking back," Keith said.

Backstage, Keith met with a few of the Soldiers.

"I met him," said Army Sgt. Willie D. Cotton, Bravo Company 7th-10th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. "Great guy, great band; I'm glad he came up here."

Keith, whose father was an American Soldier, grew up with respect for the military ingrained in him and tries to show his appreciation any chance he gets.

"My dad was in the Army back in the 50's and lost his eye in combat training missions," Keith said.

Keith has had multiple tours with the USO, but this trip he expressed his desire to go to the FOBs where service members normally don't get headlining entertainers.

"Instead of just going to the big ones, we wanted to go into some places that have never had any entertainment," Keith said.

The guys in his band have family members in the military as well.

"Our family is military so we're definitely no strangers to it," said David McAfee, drummer, who has a brother serving in Iraq. "Every night we play 'American Soldier' and it means the same every night until my brother comes home."

The band does important work for the Soldiers, but they have plenty of fun as well.

"It's a fun gig," McAfee said. "It's a lot like family."

After the show, Keith saluted the service members in the audience and expressed his gratitude for the work they do backstage.

"Thank you for your sacrifice," Keith said. "I know when you're over here for 18, 20 [or even 24 months] there are a lot of people being missed."

He also expressed his thanks to the families of all those who serve.

"It takes a real special family to be able to do it," Keith said. "If they didn't have that special family it couldn't happen. It takes those kinds of people to make that system flow. So I thank them for their sacrifice, I thank the Soldiers for their service."

The guys in the band thanked the service members as well.

"We thank them for what they do, especially after getting here and seeing what it is like," McAfee said. "We're proud of you."

Keith encouraged all who serve in Afghanistan to continue on and get home.

"I want to tell the troops, as always, God speed," Keith said. "Everything that we've ever got, we've had to fight to get it. Continue on with honor. I'm very proud of you as always. I just hope that my little trip over here doing things like shaking a hand and singing a song will give you a little piece of home for a day or so."

Keith's patriotic message resonates in his music. His message was clear.

"It is okay to pull for team U.S.A. every once in a while," Keith said.

• Date Taken: 05.23.2007
• Date Posted: 05.23.2007 09:14
• Story ID: 10485
• Location: JALALABAD, AF