It was a long way from Nashville. Still, 10-time USO tour veteran Trace Adkins thought there was no better place to kick off the Grand Ole Opry’s May partnership with the USO and MusiCorps than on his recent USO tour to Kuwait, Afghanistan and Germany.

“I’m very proud that the Opry has decided to get involved on this level with the USO,” said Adkins, who’ll be participating in the May 19 Cause for Applause: Salute the Troops concert at the Grand Ole Opry.

“They’ve always been supporters of the USO, but to come up with this official campaign that they’re doing with the USO, I’m quite proud of that.”

In addition to performing for troops and their families, Adkins brought a replica of the Opry Circle with him as part of the Grand Ole Opry’s 90th Anniversary Circle Throwdown so he could share the experience with troops and military families overseas.

The May 19 concert in Nashville will feature Adkins, fellow USO tour veterans Kellie Pickler, Craig Morgan, Lee Greenwood and more country artists.