FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 10, 2008
CONTACT: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or

Rockstar Energy Mayhem Music Festival Featuring Disturbed and Slipknot Honors Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
Multi-Platinum Rock Bands Team Up with IAVA to Offer Vets and Servicemembers Half Price Tickets and Exclusive Backstage Access

NEW YORK -Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan Iraq and Afghanistan veterans' group, announced today that it is teaming up with the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Music Festival and Live Nation to offer IAVA members exclusive access to the highly anticipated national concert tour.  The Rockstar Energy Mayhem Music Festival, which features hard rock's most influential bands including Disturbed and Slipknot, kicked off on July 9 in Seattle.  The tour will stop in 30 cities in the U.S. and Canada between July 9 and August 19.  At each location, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and current service members can purchase half price tickets and qualify for an exclusive backstage experience.  Ten veterans and service members in each city will be invited to watch the show from the stage and go behind the scenes for a meet and greet with the artists.  

"Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is grateful for the Mayhem Music Festival and Live Nation's extraordinary generosity.  Throughout this effort, Disturbed and Slipknot are demonstrating tremendous leadership and patriotism. IAVA members across the country will be thrilled to have such terrific access to watch some of their favorite bands perform this summer," said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.  "We appreciate that the Mayhem Music Festival recognizes the service of the almost two million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and chooses to honor them in such a special way."

"The Mayhem Music Festival wants to give back to the people who have given so much to our country," said John Reese, the festival's co-founder.  "We're honored to have Iraq and Afghanistan veterans attend our shows throughout the summer."

For more information on the festival, please visit www.Mayhemfest.com or www.livenation.com.

To arrange an interview with an artist from the Mayhem Music Festival, IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, or a local IAVA veteran attending the show, please contact Michael Houston at (212) 982-9699 or .

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  A non-profit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 95,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states.

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