MWU2Tribute
Babyface
MYSTERIOUS WAYS – AMERICA’s U2 TRIBUTE BAND
Songmeister Productions
Austin, TX 78617
(cell): 512-751-4944
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
***Due to the sensitive nature of this trip, actual date and location cannot be disclosed***
Dream Beneath a Desert Sky
America’s U2 Tribute Band Heading to Afghanistan to Play for US Troops
Austin, TX: While U2 are in the midst of their record breaking world tour, there is one place that they seem to have missed – Afghanistan. This summer, as a part of Operation H.O.T.’s (Honoring Our Troops) endeavor to cook a home-style meal for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Mysterious Ways - America’s U2 Tribute Band is stepping up to fill the void and bringing their U2 concert experience to play to over 4,000 U.S. Troops.
In August of 2010, Chef Charles Carroll of River Oaks Country Club in Houston, TX started Operation H.O.T. with the vision of cooking an authentic Cajun Creole meal for U.S. Troops in Afghanistan. With the help of Chief David Longstaff (CW4), the team has grown to include Media Chefs Rick Moonen and Rick Tramonto from Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. The day’s planned events include performances from Operation H.O.T. team members; comedian Cash Levy, Jim Karol Psychic Madman, Jay Leno impersonator Marcel Forestieri, and The 3 Waiters performance troupe. Chefs Moonen and Tramonto will also be hosting a live cooking show at the event. After the Cajun Creole meal for 2,000 troops, cooked by Chef John Folse and company, Mysterious Ways will finish the night with an outdoor concert to over 4,000 troops. Jason Zito (production manager for Backstreet Boys) is also on board as Operation HOT’s production manager and is overseeing the ordering and the setting up of equipment rented and shipped in from Kuwait.
Chef Carroll first saw the Austin, TX based Mysterious Ways perform at The House of Blues in Houston during the summer of 2010 and immediately put the band on his list of possible acts for Operation H.O.T. “I was blown away by the energy and show that Mysterious Ways put on and I knew they would be a perfect for playing to the troops”, said Carroll. When his top choices of Bruce Springsteen and George Strait were unavailable through his contacts at the USO, Mysterious Ways got the call.
“It’s an amazing honor and a once in a lifetime opportunity to be asked to play for the troops in Afghanistan,” says Patrick Fleming, manager and lead singer (Bono) of Mysterious Ways. About the notion that he and his band mates are heading halfway around the world into a war zone, for one show, he says, “I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that we are going, but U2’s music is filled with so much inspiration, hope and energy that it only seems natural. It’s a great way to let the troops know how important they are to us and that home is still waiting for their safe return.”
Mysterious Ways was formed in Austin, TX in early 2006. Originally dubbed Texas’ U2 Tribute Band, they soon set their sights to a larger American audience via Facebook and YouTube, changing to America’s U2 Tribute Band. Over the past five years, they have concentrated on the authenticity of U2’s show and music, playing shows throughout Texas, and even playing in Mexico a couple times. According to Fleming, “You either cover U2 to the ‘T’ or you don’t do it at all.” Adding to their list of high profile shows, Mysterious Ways opened up for Gin Blossoms at The Fiesta Oyster Bake Festival in San Antonio, TX in early April. Voted Best Cover Band in The Austin Chronicle Music Poll 2009-2010, Mysterious Ways is: Patrick Fleming (aka Bono) on vocals and guitar, Jonathan Richerson (aka The Edge) on guitar, Michael Scaccia (aka Adam Clayton) on bass, and Scott Raulie (aka Larry Mullin Jr.) on drums.
As a final comment, Fleming says, “I suppose after this trip we will be Afghanistan’s U2 Tribute Band, too.”
Upcoming shows for Mysterious Ways are Saturday, April 30th and Saturday May 28th at Fado Irish Pub (214 W. 4th St, Austin, TX) from 9:30pm to 1:30am with no cover charge.
For more information on Mysterious Ways contact:
Patrick Fleming, Manager
Cell: 512-751-4944
E-mail: patrick@mysteriouswaysband.com
Promo Photos: http://www.mysteriouswaysband.com/multimedia/pictures.php
Website: www.MysteriousWaysBand.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mwu2tribute
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/MysteriousWaysU2Trib
Operation H.O.T. is still looking for donations and gifts to bring to the troops.
For donations or more information on Operation H.O.T., please contact:
Chef Charles Carroll
E-mail: chef@chefcharlescarroll.com
Or
Executive Assistant Hilmi Ahmad
Phone: 713 -874-6390
E-mail: hilmi@chefcharlescarroll.com
www.Chefcharlescarrol.com
Other links:
Chef Rick Moonen: www.rickmoonen.com
Chef Rick Tramonto: www.tramontocuisine.com
Cash Levy: www.cashlevy.com
Jim Karol: www.jimkarol.com
Marcel Forestieri: www.jaylenoclone.com
The Three Waiters: www.thethreewaiters.com
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