J. Cole Debuts 'Born Sinner' Tracklist
Kanye West & Kim Kardashian's Daughter Has a Name
Pistol Annies Cancel All Upcoming Concerts
George Jones Biopic Announced
Glen Campbell's Family Gives Update on Alzheimer's Disease
Amy Adams' Bikini Body Isn't What You'd Expect ...
Flyleaf, 'Something Better' (Featuring P.O.D.'s Sonny Sandoval) - Exclusive Song Premiere
Helen Lost 82 Pounds: 'Helping Others Is What Life Is All About'
Little Big Town, Trisha Yearwood Win Daytime Emmy Awards
What's Behind This Door Is Terrifying
News Roundup - Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher's House For Sale, Taylor Swift Wins Video Award
41 Busted In Child Sex Sting
Kellie Pickler to Co-Host 'The View'
Michael Hastings Dead At 33
Lady Antebellum Perform Last Live Show Before Hillary Scott's Baby Is Due
PHOTO: Brazilian Officer Pepper-Sprays Female Protester In The Face
WATCH: Porn Star Says My Dad's Angry I Ruined Porn For Him
5 Ways To Get A Flat Stomach -- While Standing Up
PHOTOS: Beautifully Abandoned America
Khloe's Workout Photos Are Pretty Alarming
LOOK: Teen Was 'Shamed' By TSA Officer For This Outfit
Men's Wearhouse Abruptly Fires Its Founder, Spokesman
Outrage Over Class Photo: 'Adults Should Know Better'
LOOK: China Invented The Weirdest Way Ever To Ward Off Pervs
Axl Rose Doesn't Look Like This Anymore ...
WATCH: The Amazing Moment A Trapped Fox Approaches Men For Help
7 Beautiful Actresses Who Were Told They Weren't Pretty Enough
Couple Finds Ancient Skeleton In Backyard, May Have To Foot $5,000 Excavation Bill
Inside Kim Kardashian's Pregnancy Nightmare
First Photo Of Channing Tatum's Baby Girl
EPIC FAIL
Helen's Secret Surgery
Investigation Underway After Throat-Grab Photos Surface
Brendan Hoffman
"This is our 10 year anniversary, and we have surpassed 200 shows," Toby tells The Boot. "At some point, I will put together all the video footage we have from those 10 years and show everyone what a wonderful 10 years it's been."
In total, the "Made in America" singer has participated in 211 USO meet-and-greets and shows, performing for more than 182,600 service men and women on more than 100 military installations. He's also visited Afghanistan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia, Cuba, Djibouti, Germany, Iraq, Italy, South Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan and Macedonia.
Add to that the Oklahoma native's current trek, which is splitting his time between five countries during this 12-day USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour. Over the years, Toby has made it a tradition to visit not only the major areas, but the remote forward operating bases to deliver a much-needed touch of home to the troops stationed at those outposts.
"We don't go to Iraq anymore, that's over for us," he explains. "On this tour we are going to Afghanistan for a week, and then we'll go to Kuwait for a week, and then on to Bahrain where we'll start to hit the aircraft carriers. We generally play to about 5,000 a night on the carriers. In between shows we'll catch a helicopter out to some of the battleships and do acoustic sets for the people stationed on them, who don't get to see much entertainment where they are."
By the time he had reached his four-day mark on this trip, Toby had already performed for and visited with more than 3,900 service members stationed in Bahrain and aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, as well as troops in other locations.
"I can't believe it has already been a decade, it feels like yesterday when I first started working with the USO," Toby says. "I've met so many great, brave service men and women over the years and had so many wonderful experiences, that I can barely remember them all. One thing is for sure: I enjoy working with the USO, I love our nation's troops, and I won't ever stop doing my part to extend my thanks."
While visiting troops in Afghanistan in 2006, Toby recognized the need to deliver the day-to-day comforts of home to service members stationed far away from main bases and USO centers. As a result, he formed the "USO2GO" program, which sends electronics, entertainment, non-perishable comfort food and personal care items to troops. Since 2008, 942 "USO2GO" kits have been distributed to 15 countries and more than 600 remote forward operating bases.
Toby's commitment and devotion to the U.S. military goes far beyond his annual USO entertainment tours. At his growing chain of restaurants, I Love This Bar & Grill, he offers a complimentary burger and a drink to service members returning to the States.
