Country Music Star Brad Paisley Joins USO on Visit with Wounded Service Members in San Antonio, Texas

Today, country music singer/songwriter Brad Paisley accompanied the USO on a visit with wounded troops at the Brooke Army Medical Center's Burn Unit in San Antonio, the U.S. Department of Defense's premiere burn center. During the trip, Paisley walked from room to room shaking hands with service members, listening to stories, signing autographs and expressing his heartfelt thanks for their service. Paisley also provided service men and women with free tickets to his concert tonight at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

Touched by their dedication and selflessness, Paisley gave an impromptu concert in early August to more than 35,000 soldiers and their family members at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Proclaimed by Paisley as his most important concert of the year, the event detoured his Bonfires & Amplifiers 80-city tour and included performances by Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift. For his efforts in support of U.S. troops, Paisley received a special plaque signed by U.S. Army Major General Jeffrey J. Schloesser.

"Today's USO visit was surreal," says Paisley. "Sitting with service members that have been through so much and hearing their stories is something I'll never forget. To them I am just a country music singer, but to me they're my heroes, and I wish them all a speedy recovery."

Paisley's most recent #1 hit, "Online," became his 9th chart-topper in a short 15 weeks, tying his own record for quickest trip to #1 which he set when his single "He Didn't Have To Be" became his first hit in December 1999. Among artists who landed #1 songs since that time, Paisley leads the list with nine. He has sold more than 10 million albums since his 1999 debut. Paisley tied with George Strait for the most CMA Awards nominations this year with five including Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album (5th Gear), Single ("Ticks") and Video ("Online"). The 41st Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville Nov. 7 on ABC.

In times of peace and war, the USO has consistently delivered its special brand of entertainment and comfort to service men and women serving around the world. In 2006, the USO staged 328 special entertainment events, to include music concerts, autograph signings, hospital visits and movie screenings.

AT&T, Inc. is the official telecommunications sponsor of USO entertainment tours. For a list of recent and upcoming USO tours, visit http://www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment/. To learn more about the USO or to find out how to support the troops, visit http://www.uso.org.

About the USO

For more than 66 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems North America, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, DRS Technologies, Inc., S & K Sales Co., TriWest Healthcare Alliance and The Walt Disney Company. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at http://www.uso.org.