AMERICAN THUNDER
ABOUT
The American Thunder Cause Brand stands as a tribute to the valor of the United States Armed Forces and the unwavering strength of their families who sustain them. Created with the mission of honoring these heroes, American Thunder channels its support to the Bob Woodruff Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to healing the visible and invisible wounds of war.
Endorsed by every branch of the Armed Forces, the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s mission took center stage during the American Thunder Broadcast Special, where it received powerful support in a stirring film tribute featuring President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Former President George H.W. Bush.
ABOUT
The American Thunder Cause Brand was created to promote and honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, as well as their families who support and sustain them. The beneficiary of American Thunder is the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which helps treat the visible and invisible wounds of war.
The Bob Woodruff Foundation is supported by every branch of the Armed Forces and during the American Thunder Broadcast Special, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Former President George H.W. Bush lent their support via a film tribute.
ABOUT
The American Thunder Cause Brand was created to promote and honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, as well as their families who support and sustain them. The beneficiary of American Thunder is the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which helps treat the visible and invisible wounds of war.
The Bob Woodruff Foundation is supported by every branch of the Armed Forces and during the American Thunder Broadcast Special, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Former President George H.W. Bush lent their support via a film tribute.
THE INSPIRATION
David Clark was profoundly moved by the resilience of ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff, who was gravely injured by an IED while embedded with the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq in 2006. Shrapnel and debris had pierced Woodruff’s skull, requiring extensive surgeries and rehabilitation. Yet, he returned to journalism and launched the Bob Woodruff Foundation, dedicated to supporting veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
Inspired by Woodruff's mission, Clark created American Thunder, a cause brand to elevate the foundation’s work. He organized a benefit concert at the iconic Buffalo Chip Campground during Sturgis' famous Motorcycle Rally, partnering with Mark Cuban and HDNet to bring the event to an international audience.
THE INSPIRATION
Following the 9/11 terrorist attack, David Clark was impressed with the work that former ABC News Anchor Bob Woodruff and his family were doing to support first responders and the men and women of the Armed Forces. After meeting Bob Woodruff, Clark wanted to create a Cause Brand that could support the amazing work of The Bob Woodruff Foundation. During this time, Clark was offered an opportunity to create a military benefit at the historic Buffalo Chip camp ground in Sturgis SD during the iconic Motorcycle Rally, so Clark created the American Thunder Music Festival and named the Bob Woodruff Foundation as the beneficiary. Once the Festival was scheduled, Clark worked with Mark Cuban and his broadcast team at HDNet to create the National Broadcast Special.
THE CONCERT
The American Thunder Music Festival, a landmark event held on August 11, 2011, unfolded under the charismatic presence of Academy Award-winner Jeff Bridges, who took the stage with his band, the Abiders. The evening brought together Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Stevie Nicks and John Fogerty, alongside the inspiring Southern Comfort, a band composed of wounded veterans, all performing before a captivated, sold-out crowd of over 52,000 fans.
To open the Music Festival Jeff Bridges said:
“I’m honored to support the Bob Woodruff Foundation. I’ve seen a few interesting places in my day – but nothing like this. This is Thunderdome meets Apocalypse Now. In 2006, when Bob was injured covering the war in Iraq, I was amazed he survived, and not only did he recover, he didn’t walk away from the troops he was covering. With his family’s support he dedicated himself to helping service men and women who suffer from the visible and invisible scars of war.”
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Steve Nicks performs
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Steve Nicks performs
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Backstage with Bob Woodruff, Stevie Nicks and Jeff Bridges
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John Fogerty and Jeff Bridges
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Jeff Bridges kicks-off concert
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Bob Woodruff addresses the crowd
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Jeff Bridges performs
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John Fogerty performs
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John Fogerty performs
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THE CONCERT
The American Thunder Music Festival was hosted by Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges who performed with his band the Abiders, in addition to Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty and Southern Comfort, a band comprised of wounded veterans. The concert took place in front of a sold-out audience of over 52,000 fans on August 11, 2011.
To open the Music Festival Jeff Bridges said:
“I’m honored to support the Bob Woodruff Foundation. I’ve seen a few interesting places in my day – but nothing like this. This is Thunderdome meets Apocalypse Now. In 2006, when Bob was injured covering the war in Iraq, I was amazed he survived, and not only did he recover, he didn’t walk away from the troops he was covering. With his family’s support he dedicated himself to helping service men and women who suffer from the visible and invisible scars of war.”
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Steve Nicks performs
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Steve Nicks performs
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Backstage with Bob Woodruff, Stevie Nicks and Jeff Bridges
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John Fogerty and Jeff Bridges
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Jeff Bridges kicks-off concert
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Bob Woodruff addresses the crowd
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Jeff Bridges performs
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John Fogerty performs
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John Fogerty performs
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Steve Nicks performs
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Steve Nicks performs
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Backstage with Bob Woodruff, Stevie Nicks and Jeff Bridges
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John Fogerty and Jeff Bridges
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Jeff Bridges kicks-off concert
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Bob Woodruff addresses the crowd
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Jeff Bridges performs
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John Fogerty performs
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John Fogerty performs
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THE CONCERT
The American Thunder Music Festival was hosted by Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges who performed with his band the Abiders, in addition to Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty and Southern Comfort, a band comprised of wounded veterans. The concert took place in front of a sold-out audience of over 52,000 fans on August 11, 2011.
To open the Music Festival Jeff Bridges said:
“I’m honored to support the Bob Woodruff Foundation. I’ve seen a few interesting places in my day – but nothing like this. This is Thunderdome meets Apocalypse Now. In 2006, when Bob was injured covering the war in Iraq, I was amazed he survived, and not only did he recover, he didn’t walk away from the troops he was covering. With his family’s support he dedicated himself to helping service men and women who suffer from the visible and invisible scars of war.”
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Jeff Bridges performs
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GLOBAL BROADCAST
American Thunder’s powerful message of support reached audiences far and wide, thanks to a strategic partnership with HDNet, the Pentagon Channel, and the American Forces Network. Together, these broadcasts carried the benefit concert’s signal across borders and oceans, reaching over one million active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in more than 175 countries, scattered U.S. territories, and aboard every U.S. Navy vessel navigating the globe.
This unprecedented global broadcast connected servicemen and women with a heartfelt tribute, celebrating their courage and resilience. In even the most remote postings, American Thunder brought them a reminder of the unwavering support from home, uniting them in spirit through the universal language of music and gratitude.
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Jeff Bridges performs
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GLOBAL BROADCAST
American Thunder’s broadcast partners include HDNet, the Pentagon Channel and the American Forces Network, which broadcasted the benefit internationally to over one million active duty men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces in more than 175 countries, U.S. territories and onboard all U.S. Navy ships around the world.
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Jeff Bridges performs
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GLOBAL BROADCAST
American Thunder’s broadcast partners include HDNet, the Pentagon Channel and the American Forces Network, which broadcasted the benefit internationally to over one million active duty men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces in more than 175 countries, U.S. territories and onboard all U.S. Navy ships around the world.
THE BOB WOODRUFF
FOUNDATION
The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) was founded in 2006 after reporter Bob Woodruff was hit by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq. Since then, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has led an enduring call to action for people to stand up for heroes and meet the emerging and long-term needs of today’s veterans. To date, BWF has invested more than $65 million to find, fund and shape programs that have empowered impacted veterans and service members, and their families, across the nation.
THE BOB WOODRUFF
FOUNDATION
FOUNDATION
The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) was founded in 2006 after reporter Bob Woodruff was hit by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq. Since then, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has led an enduring call to action for people to stand up for heroes and meet the emerging and long-term needs of today’s veterans. To date, BWF has invested more than $65 million to find, fund and shape programs that have empowered impacted veterans and service members, and their families, across the nation.
CHARITABLE PARTNERS & PRIMARY SPONSORS
© Copyright 2020 / David Clark Cause, Inc.