Navy Newsstand (www.news.navy.mil) has issued the following report:

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) - As part of a USO-sponsored tour, country superstar TOBY KEITH was joined onstage by rock legend TED NUGENT for a loud and highly-anticipated concert on Naval Support Activity, Naples' Support Site in the early evening hours of June 1.

Thousands of local American service members and their families showed up for the warm weather, cold drinks, smoky barbeque and free music, “courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”

The tour kicked off in Kosovo May 28, and will continue for about eight to 10 more shows on undisclosed overseas U.S. military bases in the upcoming weeks.

Keith and Nugent, in addition to a backing band, are taking their message straight to the troops.

“It’s all appreciation for us,” Keith said in an interview shortly before taking the Naples stage. “We’ll shake every hand we can and meet every person we can, and if nothing else, leave them with a little piece of Americana.”

Continuing the thought, Nugent added, “We are here to celebrate all those who came here to enjoy this American music that we play, but it is also dedicated to those who are not here anymore.”

During their performance, the duo blasted their way through chart-toppers such as ‘I Love This Bar’ and the classic ‘Cat Scratch Fever’, but for many, the highlight was Nugent’s instrumental rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’, which brought the crowd to its feet, hands and cowboy hats pressed over their hearts.

This tour has been a great time for Nugent. Playing with Keith is giving him an opportunity to do things he’s never done before.

“I’m looking forward to playing with a country/western band for the first time in my life,” he said.

“This ain’t actually his first time tonight,” interjected Keith. “It’s actually his third time playing with us!”

Keith said that he does a USO tour for American troops overseas every two years.

“Mostly, I just enjoy seeing the glow on people’s faces,” he said. “Their hearts shine a big light up through their eyes and smiles. For a brief time, they can forget about their day-to-day problems out here.”

Although not a country music fan, Yeoman 2nd Class (AW) Stephanie Titus, of Commander, Task Force 63, was in the audience Tuesday night, having fun.

“The evening was good,” she recalled. “It was very cool that Toby Keith got to come out here, and I really liked hearing ‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).’ He seems like a really good guy.”

Both Keith and Nugent are unabashed in their support of the troops they play for night after night.

“These guys are ready to rock for all the right reasons,” Nugent enthused. “Our warriors are pushing back terror here so that we don’t have to face terror at home.”

The Keith/Nugent duo is equally impressed and supportive of the USO, which has sent entertainers and entertainment to millions of service members since its inception in 1941.

“The USO accomplishes a lot for the American armed forces, and they handle it all on a budget that I thought was unbelievably small, and impossible to do,” Keith said.

“It’s surprising how little you hear about the USO back in the States,” Nugent added. “Especially when you consider that it’s such an awesome, compassionate, generous and positive force. What Bob Hope did during World War II, and the Korean War, and Vietnam, and what Robin Williams and Kid Rock and Toby Keith are doing – I’m moved to be a part of that.

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