ARLINGTON, Va., July 6, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In celebration of America turning 239 years young, Grammy Award winning recording artist Bruno Mars rocked out on the South Lawn of the White House – performing a collection of hits, including this year's hottest song "Uptown Funk," as part of the seventh annual "Salute to the Military" USO concert spectacular. Hosted by the First Family and attended by more than 1,200 military families, the event included lawn games, photo stands, remarks by President Barack Obama and a 60-minute USO show.
DETAILS:
• The White House has partnered with the USO and hosted its "Salute to the Military" concert event since July 2009 – lifting the spirits of more than 8,400 troops and military families. Among the stars/USO tour veterans to have participated in this Independence Day tradition are Pitbull, fun., Cedric "The Entertainer," The Killers, Brandi Carlile, Brad Paisley, Train, Amos Lee, Jimmy Fallon, the Foo Fighters and Michelle Branch.
• In April 2015, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden celebrated the four-year anniversary of Joining Forces – an initiative that shines a spotlight on the unique needs and issues faced by today's military families, and strives to improve their overall well-being and quality of life.
• The USO is a proud supporter of Joining Forces and strives to deliver life-changing experiences for troops and their families stationed around the world, like this "Salute to the Military" USO concert at the White House. To join Bruno Mars and the First Family in honoring, saluting and creating moments for America's military community visit USOmoments.org and/or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter using #USOMoments.
• Bruno Mars is an 18-time Grammy Award nominee and multi-Grammy winner. At the top of 2014, Mars made NFL history with one of the most watched Super Bowl Halftime Shows that amassed a record breaking 115.3 million viewers. The critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer and musician has sold over 150 million singles worldwide. His most recent album Unorthodox Jukebox and his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans have a combined certification total of 94x Platinum worldwide. According to Billboard, Mars scored his first five "Hot 100" No. 1s faster than any male since Elvis Presley. Bruno and his eight-piece band, The Hooligans, recently wrapped the second leg of their sold-out 155-date Moonshine Jungle world tour. Mars most recently teamed up with Mark Ronson on the smash hit "Uptown Funk." The international hit single is the longest-leading Billboard Hot 100 of the 2010s, and is the 10th single in the Hot 100's 57 year history to spend at least 14 weeks at Number 1.
QUOTE:
Attributed to Bruno Mars:
"It was an honor to perform at the Fourth of July concert at the White House. It was incredible to stand with the First Family and the USO to recognize the service and sacrifice of our troops and military families."
MULTI-MEDIA:
USO Photos: http://bit.ly/1IZg6jo
White House Video: http://1.usa.gov/1KKYKZd
About the USO
The USO lifts the spirits of America's troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors, troops in transition and families of the fallen. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President's Circle Partners: American Airlines, AT &T, BNSF Railway, Clark Construction Group, LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, JCPenney, Jeep, Johnson & Johnson, Kroger, Northrop Grumman Corporation and TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Worldwide Strategic Partners: BAE Systems, BIC, The Boeing Company, ConAgra Foods, FedEx, GEICO, Harris Teeter, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Procter & Gamble, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG and Wawa Inc. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.
Photos accompanying this release are available at:
