In Honor Of National Military Appreciation Month: Celebrities Who Have Performed For The Troops

Although we should thank the armed forces everyday for protecting our freedom and liberties, May is National Military Appreciation month. These celebrities have showed their appreciation and support by performing for the troops.

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Mariah Carey

While working on her eighth album in 1998, Mariah Carey decided to cover a song that was first recorded by Brenda K. Starr ten years earlier. Carey enlisted the help of Brett Ratner to direct the music video, which was inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s 1953 visit to the U.S. troops in Korea. In the video, Carey emulated Monroe’s hair and make-up while doing her own performance in front of airmen and soldiers at the Edwards Air Force Base in California.

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50 Cent

At the start of his career, 50 Cent was used to performing at small clubs and venues but a year after he released his platinum selling debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin, he followed in the footsteps of many artists who trekked overseas to perform for the U.S. troops. The Queens rapper went over to Iraq in 2004 to perform and the experience made a lasting impression on him. “It was intense, man. There was an intensity there,” 50 Cent said. “A lot of [soldiers] write these death notes before they go on missions, they write these notes that they want their loved ones to read. They’re in this environment where death is everywhere.”

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Kathy Griffin

Kathy Griffin’s style of humor certainly isn’t for everyone. The red-haired comedian was tapped to host “VH1’s Divas Support The Troops” in 2010. She received a lot of cheers when she stripped down to a string bikini. However, during her routine she was promptly booed after making fun of Bristol Palin’s weight gain during her stint on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Ever the professional, Griffin took it all in stride and even encouraged them to boo even more.

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Jep Robertson and Willie Robertson

When “Duck Dynasty” premiered in March 2012, it took no time for the reality show to become the highest-rated program on the A&E channel. Led by the patriarch Phil Robertson, the show follows the entire family as they operate their successful Duck Commander business. Because of its popularity, it was a no-brainer to have a couple members of the show entertain the troops. Brothers Jep and Willie Robertson took some time away from the family business to bring a little holiday cheer to the troops serving in Afghanistan this past Christmas.

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WWE Wrestlers

Vince McMahon has made a ton of money with his massively successful WWE federation. But the businessman has always given back and has started the long-running tradition of taking some wrestlers with him to head overseas to perform for the troops. In 2009, their trip was chronicled in the NBC special event “WWE Tribute to the Troops.” The idea was originally brought to McMahon by John “Bradshaw” Layfield, who thought it would be a good idea to wrestle live for the soldiers. “I thought it was a great opportunity to give back to the kids and they really are just kids over there,” McMahon said.

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Garth Brooks

Country singer Garth Brooks released his first album back in 1989 and after becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time (six of his albums have reached diamond status), he announced his retirement in 2000. The Oklahoma native couldn’t sit still for long, though, as he’s returned to the stage numerous times since then. In 2001, Brooks first came out of retirement to perform for the troops. As the son of a Marine, he felt his performance aboard the USS Enterprise in Norfolk, VA, was especially meaningful. “The military is something our family grew up with,” he said, “and there is a ton of respect and a ton of thankfulness, gratitude, for the men and women that are serving our country.”

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Tech N9ne

Tech N9ne is not your regular rapper but his high-energy shows have helped build a legion of die-hard fans. He was tapped to head overseas to Kuwait as the outgoing entertainment during the Iraqi withdrawal in 2011. Tech N9ne performed his song “The Noose,” which was inspired by the military and showed his support for those fighting on the front lines. After the experience, Tech N9ne said: “What affected me the most about my visit to the Middle East was how amazingly pleasant and humble those who are serving our country were, even while under some of the [roughest] and most secluded living conditions imaginable.”

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Keyshia Cole

Keyshia Cole has been on a tear as of late releasing new music that’s more than likely inspired by the strife that has been going on in her marriage to NBA baller Daniel “Boobie” Gibson. But during happier times in her relationship last year, Cole, who was accompanied by her husband, was in the midst of her European tour when she took some time out to perform for the troops. While in Germany, the “I Changed My Mind” singer gave a free concert for the armed forces at the Vogelweh Air Base. “I have such a profound respect for our troops and their families stationed all over the world—whether they are in the Middle East or here in Europe,” said Cole. “I feel so blessed to do what I love for a living and am grateful to the USO for the opportunity to perform for troops and show them some love before going back out onto the road again.”

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Pitbull

International superstar has performed for audiences all over the world. But one performance that was especially significant to the Cuban-American rapper was his time during the USO tour to Korea and Okinawa in 2007. “Performing for the troops and their families on this USO tour was nothing short of amazing,” said Pitbull. “The troops over there are so full of energy and love. I am genuinely thankful for everything they are doing for us back home and am truly honored to have performed for them.”

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Kid Rock

If there’s one artist who’s always shown love for his country, it’s been Kid Rock. The Detroit native took some time out of his schedule to head to Iraq in 2003. Thinking he would just sign a few autographs for some soldiers, Rock was so surprised to be greeted by thousands of fans that he gave an impromptu concert. He grabbed his guitar and started singing a cappella before John Stamos, who was a part of the USO tour with his then wife Rebecca Romijn, joined him on the drums. “It was just unbelievable to be there and have the sense of kind of what was really important in life, like a respect, an appreciation for the people who were there putting their life at risk for our way of life, our country,” said Rock. He has since performed several more times for the troops.

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Robin Williams

Robin Williams has been entertaining audiences and making folks laugh since the early 70’s. While people have paid big money to see the comedian perform, he has decided to give back throughout his career. Taking a page from fellow comedian Bob Hope’s book, Williams has performed for the troops as part of the USO Tour numerous times. On one occasion Williams took the stage at the U.S. base at Baghdad’s international airport in Iraq.

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David Banner

Rapper David Banner may not be a household name but he has been in the music business since 2000. Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, in 2009 Banner signed up with the USO to head to the Middle East to perform for the armed forces. After announcing the tour, Banner, who is also a well-known philanthropist, expressed his gratitude to be given the opportunity. “There’s nothing I enjoy more than giving back and expressing my thanks to those serving our nation,” Banner said. “I am honored to travel with the USO and feel privileged to do what I do every day,” he continued. “Regardless of your political affiliation or viewpoint on the war, our soldiers work hard and have paved the way to where we are today.”

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Yung Joc

For a time in 2006, there wasn’t a time when you could turn on the radio and not hear Yung Joc “It’s Going Down.” The Atlanta rapper, who was once signed to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records, took a trip overseas in 2009 to Camp Liberty in Iraq for a concert. During his performance he was joined on stage by several members of the armed forces to do the popular dance they stanky leg.

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Xzibit

He may have started out his career as a rapper but he certainly made a name for himself with the popular MTV show “Pimp My Ride.” Before snagging the hosting gig, Xzibit was popular in the West Coast thanks to hits such as “Paparazzi” and “What You See Is What You Get.” In 2011, the 39-year-old rapper traveled to Iraq to perform for the U.S. troops and civilians stationed there. While onstage, he made sure to thank the military for their service and gave a shout out to the men and women over in the Middle East.

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Ludacris

Lately Ludacris has been embroiled in a nasty custody battle with his second baby mama that was conceived while he was on a break with his longtime girlfriend. Although the scandal has cast a dark shadow on his public image now, Ludacris has done his part to show support to the military. Last summer the “Throw Dem Bows” rapper traveled to Fort Meade in Maryland to perform for the service men and women stationed there. The concert was part of Air Force Reserve Command’s Tour for the Troops.