Entertainment FAQs |
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Q: I am an entertainer who wishes to participate in USO shows. How do I apply?
A: We take pride in our ability to deliver some of America’s most popular and well-known celebrities around the world to the troops. USO tours can vary from a one-off to a complete tour with multiple destinations. The USO can also work with artists who may have available dates within their existing tours. USO celebrity status is not necessarily defined by experience of level of professionalism, but rather as a performer that has name recognition with the military members and families for who, they perform or visit. We also qualify celebrity status based on coverage in entertainment trade magazines like Billboard and Variety and as those seen on MTV, BET, CMT, etc. If you feel that you or the artist you represent meets these criteria, we look forward to discussing the possibility of a USO tour. Please send your press kit via e-mail to the Entertainment/Recruiting Assistant or materials can be mailed to:
Attn: Entertainment/Recruiting Assistant
USO World Headquarters
2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1200
Arlington, VA 22201
Non-Celebrity Entertainment
The USO realizes that there are many experienced professional entertainers seeking an audience with the troops that may not yet qualify for "celebrity" status. We encourage you to contact Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE). AFE is the single point of contact in the Department of Defense, for professional non-celebrity entertainment supporting our service members overseas. You can find more information about AFE on their Web site, or contact their offices at 1-800-458-0868.
Good luck and thank you for supporting our men and women in uniform.
Q: I am stationed on a remote base in the United States. How can we get a USO Show?
- A: The USO supports many stateside entertainment programs with an emphasis on welcome home celebrations and deployments. All requests for support, however, must first go through the proper military channels and have the support of MWR/Services offices and Command. Once local support has been granted, please send the following information about your event to our Vice President, Operations (U.S.).
- Date(s) of event?
- Purpose of the event?
- Anticipated size of your audience?
- Venue where the event will take place?
- Who is the event for?
- Additional background?
- Organizers contact information and roles?
We look forward to hearing from you.
Q: Where can I find a roster of USO entertainers from the World War II era?
A: Unfortunately, the USO does not have detailed files on each individual who toured for the troops during WWII. During WWII, more than a million and a half volunteers and performers volunteered their time and talents to support the troops and gave more than 428,000 performances to a total audience of more than 200,000,000 G.I.s from 1941 to 1947. Interested in a list of people who have toured with Bob Hope? Bob Hope’s official Web site, www.bobhope.com, has a full array of information on Mr. Hope. This Web site not only includes his biography and history, but also offers many Bob Hope videos, DVDs, and radio shows for sale. You will find some of his USO tour information here as well.
Q: I am currently stationed overseas. Why doesn’t the USO produce shows on my base?
A: We encourage you to visit our Web site often, as it is frequently updated. We try very hard to bring USO shows to as many locations as possible, but please keep in mind that the USO does not decide where these tours are placed. Once an artist has agreed to go on a USO tour, the Department of Defense’s Armed Forces Entertainment office assigns us the particular region/circuit. They tell us where the tour will be traveling and what bases will be visited. If you wish to have your base considered, please contact AFE at 1-800-458-0868. Hopefully, you will be able to enjoy a USO show in the near future.
Q: My family member toured with the USO during the 1950s. Can you provide pictures or detailed information on his/her tours?
A: Unfortunately, the USO does not have detailed files on each individual who toured for the troops during this era. We recommend contracting the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress.
Q: When is my favorite entertainer going to be visiting my area on a USO tour?
A: At this time, any and all information we are permitted to release to the public is posted on our entertainment tour schedule. The tour schedule is updated often and is the best source of information for upcoming tours. For further information on the Celebrity Entertainment program, please visit the Entertainment section of our Web site.
Q: Can USO World Headquarters assist me in obtaining tickets to popular tourist sites?
A: USO World Headquarters does not provide discounted tickets. However, many of our centers may be able to assist you. Please use our locations directory to locate and contact the nearest USO center for assistance.
Q: I noticed my favorite entertainer is scheduled to be in my area next month. How can I find out if he/she will be stopping at my base?
A: Due to very strict security issues, we are often unable to disclose specific stops or itineraries of our tours. Any information we are authorized by the Department of Defense to release can be found on our entertainment tour schedule. You also may want to contact your Base Public Affairs Officers or MWR representative to see if they have more specific details.
Q. I'm a songwriter and want to send my music to the troops, what do I do?
A: We've received a tremendous outpouring of support from songwriters across the country and we thank you for contributing your time and talent in support of our troops. We ask that you please do not send demo CDs or DVDs to our office; should we need this material, we will contact you. The USO Celebrity Entertainment office generally focuses on live entertainment. Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (AFRTS) is responsible for radio & TV programming for the military. You can visit their Web site.