PRESS RELEASE: July 17, 2008 - Salt Lake City, Utah

Joe Cantafio & Jonathan Brant to Support the 100^th Anniversary of the Utah Army Reserve


After the attacks of September 11^th, Chicago-based musician Joe Cantafio wrote a three-hour solo effort and toured that honored the firefighters of New York’s Engine Company 55. He toured for one-year, with those firefighter. His “Let Freedom Sing” tour went coast-to-coast receiving critical acclaim.

Jonathan Brant, formerly of Cheap Trick and long time friend of Cantafio, asked Joe if he could participate and perform along side Cantafio, honoring New York’s finest. Brant joined Cantafio on about a dozen shows during that year.

In 2004 Brant joined Cantafio again as they toured Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Africa and UAE with Joe’s new band, The 101^st Rock Division. A highlight of the tour was performing American “rock and roll” on the steps of Saddam Hussein’s Baghdad Palacelace. Cantafio said, “During our tour overseas, performing for America’s finest men and women, I felt at home. Some of the greatest people I have ever met, I met on that tour.”

Performing for the troops was not a new thing for Brant. In the 1980’s, while playing bass with Cheap Trick, Jon was part of a USO tour on US bases in Europe.

Upon their return home in March of ‘04, Cantafio and Brant performed in VA hospitals entertaining men and women that Cantafio calls “forgotten heroes.” In November of 2004, Jon and Joe helped US Congressman (R-IL) Peter Roskam, record a CD titled “Voice from America.” Those CD’s were given to the troops in Baghdad during the 2004 Christmas season.

On June 11^th, 2008, Cantafio was the featured entertainment at the “Army Birthday Celebration” in Chicago. Major General Peter S. Cooke (commanding officer of the Utah Army Reserve) was the keynote speaker, and after Cantafio’s performance, General Cooke asked Cantafio to be apart of the 100^th Anniversary Celebration of the Utah Army Reserve.

Once again, Cantafio and Brant are teaming-up to entertain America’s great Armed Forces!

On July 23rd, 2008, Cantafio and Brant are bringing their acoustic-rock show to Salt Lake City to honor the 100^th Anniversary of Utah's US Army Reserve. The concert will take place at Fort Douglas (Mario Capecchi Drive and 230 South in Salt Lake City.) Cantafio and Brant will warm up the crowd before the Army Band. This will be an incredible musical event and it's open to the public - and it's free!

Joe Cantafio and Jonathan Brant will also donate their time and perform at The George E. Wahlen VA Hosptial in Salt Lake City during their stay. Cantafio and Brant have been perfomring for the men they call "forgotten heroes" for over four-years, and will continue to give back to the man and women who have cash the check and paid for American freedom.

For More information visit; www.JoeCantafio.com or www.USAForgottenHeroes.com