NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Runaway June wraps a whirlwind tour entertaining troops around the world. Sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment in partnership with Judy Seale's non-profit organization Stars for Stripes, the tour originally kicked off in 2021. However, the trio just finished the Europe and Asia Pacific leg this past month due to lifted Covid protocols in Japan and South Korea.
Bringing their fiery, western-rooted bluegrass sound to bases in the United States, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Japan and Okinawa, Runaway June entertained every branch of the military. "What an honor it was to get to tour the world and play for our incredible Military. We are about to embark on a new journey, signing a new record deal and releasing new music and this tour was the very first time we played our new music! We would absolutely love to perform for AFE again, especially in Hawaii and Southwest Asia to complete the “around the world” tour. There’s no better joy than bringing a little bit of home to our troops overseas!" shared Runaway June founding member Jennifer Wayne.
The Runaway June tour marked Armed Forces Entertainment's fourth world tour. All have been produced by Frank Tagatac, Regional/Circuit Manager for AFE Pacific Region, who stated, "When Judy and I produced their holiday virtual show during covid, I knew they would be perfect to tour with Armed Forces Entertainment. I also had the opportunity to see them live in Nashville, TN and immediately knew the service members and their families would love them." Tony Frazier, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Director at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria in Grafenwoehr described the tour as "a taste of country and a little bit of home prompted by patriotism" noting, "not only did they keep the crowd involved and excited all night long, every fan received an autograph and personal photo with the group." "Runaway June's performance at Kunsan AB was outstanding! We are thankful for being included as part of their worldwide tour and the whole team successfully raised the spirits and morale of the Wolf Pack!" exclaimed Colonel John (Wolf II) Caldwell, Vice Wing Commander, 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Colonel Henry (Wolf) Jeffress, 8th Fighter Wing Commander added, "Runaway June's visit to Kunsan Air Base reminded every airmen that America appreciates their service and sacrifice!" Because of the imaginative thinking of Frank Tagatac in trying to deliver entertainment to the military overseas during the Covid restrictions, Runaway June also teamed up with Armed Forces Entertainment and Stars for Stripes in 2020 for the virtual “When I Think About Christmas” concert. Filmed before a live audience for families of the Tennessee National Guard and 5th Special Forces Group at the Ray Stevens CabaRay Showroom, the concert spread Christmas cheer to the deployed service men and women, who for the first year in decades, did not receive in person entertainment during the holidays.
RUNAWAY JUNE 2021 AFE TOUR DATES
September 18: Ft. Wainwright Army Base, Alaska
September 19: Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska
September 21: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
RUNAWAY JUNE 2023 AFE TOUR DATES
March 7: Ramstein Air Base, Germany
March 8: United States Army Garrison Bavaria, Grafenwoehr, Germany
March 9: Edelweiss Lodge, Garmisch, Germany
March 11: United States Army Garrison Italy, Caserma Ederle Italy
March 16: Kunsan Air Base (The Wolf Pack), South Korea
March 17; Osan Air Base, South Korea
March 18: United States Army Garrison Humpreys, South Korea
March 21: Yokota Air Base, Japan
March 22: Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan
March 23: Camp Zama Army Base, Japan
March 25: Camp Schwab Marine Base Festival, Okinawa
March 26 Camp Schwab Marine Base Festival Okinawa
ABOUT ARMED FORCES ENTERTAINMENT
AFE is the official Department of Defense agency that provides quality entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, primarily at contingency operations and in remote and isolated locations. Founded in 1951, we bring a touch of home through music, sports and comedy entertainment to more than 400,000 troops annually, providing our dedicated military much-needed downtime. All while creating experiences as rewarding for the entertainers as it is for the service members. For more information, visit ArmedForcesEntertainment.com, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
ABOUT STARS FOR STRIPES
For more than 2 decades, Stars for Stripes has co-produced with AFE, MWR, MNC-I, USAREUR and other organizations, more than 150 tours entertaining our troops deployed to remote locations overseas. Top name entertainers have entertained the military men and women deployed overseas – oftentimes in harm’s way. Additionally, Stars for Stripes has partnered with numerous military support organizations in sponsoring fundraising events throughout the United States on a regular basis. In 2005 and 2006, the organization was instrumental in shipping more than 20,000 Christmas stockings to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Stars for Stripes celebrity tours improve the morale and general welfare of our U. S. Military personnel and promote patriotism and civic pride among the troops and the general public. An infusion of U.S. culture and entertainment for the troops while they are stationed abroad is an important tie to their heritage and culture and is intended to raise strong feelings of patriotism and an appreciation for their homeland. By raising awareness of the troops’ sacrifices and contributions, we are reminded of the American values for which the troops are deployed and the importance of these values throughout the world. For more information, visit StarsForStripes.com, Facebook and Twitter.
ABOUT RUNAWAY JUNE
Proclaimed by Billboard as the “Next Hot Trend in Country Music” and likened to The Chicks for a new generation, Runaway June is comprised of Stevie Woodward (lead vocals/guitar/harmonica/piano), Natalie Stovall (vocals/fiddle/guitar), and Jennifer Wayne (vocals/guitar). The trio’s “inescapable talent” (AXS.com) is multiplied by their seamlessly rich, organic harmonies and fiery, western-rooted bluegrass sound. The “Next Women of Country” (CMT) have earned praise from Billboard, Rolling Stone Country, The Huffington Post, Paste, People and more. They’ve made numerous national TV appearances including TODAY, GMA and CMA Country Christmas and have been nominated for ACM Awards and CMT Awards. Due to their electrifying live show, Runaway June has performed at Stagecoach, C2C Country To Country, and on some of the biggest tours in country music, opening for superstars like Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson and Carrie Underwood. Honored as a coveted “New Face” at the 2020 Country Radio Seminar, the BBR Music Group / Wheelhouse Records trio’s Top 5 single, “Buy My Own Drinks” was the highest charting song by a female group since The Chicks in 2003. Their debut album Blue Roses (2019) received critical acclaim and was included on Rolling Stone’s and Paste Magazine’s best albums of the year lists. Most recently on tour with Luke Bryan’s 2021 Proud To Be Right Here Tour, the award-nominated trio’s bright, rootsy new EP, backstory, is out now. Connect with Runaway June on Facebook, Instagram, Twitterand RunawayJune.com.
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