Brad Paisley was No. 1 GMA attraction

Brad Paisley

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McCain and Paisley at GMA

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GUSTAVUS — John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, came and went from this northern Trumbull County township without even a wave hello or good-bye.

But for most of the 1,000-plus people who came to watch ABC’s “Good Morning America” today, they didn’t seem to mind. Most of them were there to see a short concert by singer Brad Paisley, broadcast live from the farm of Henry and Linda Lipps.

Paisley was easily the No. 1 attraction for those who obtained access to the broadcast. Most of them stood in the rain Saturday to receive bracelets to hear Paisley perform.

The crowd was also thrilled to see the co-hosts of the ABC morning show.

While McCain was a distant third on the must-see list of most of those at the event, others were disappointed they didn’t get a chance to see the presidential nominee.

The show aired live on a big-screen television. But shortly before McCain’s interview, those at the event were taken from that location onto the middle of Barclay North Road.

The reason? To be a backdrop for a live shot of Paisley walking and talking with the “GMA” hosts.

“I thought I’d catch a glimpse of him,” said Glenn Wheeler of Mineral Ridge. “I wanted to see him live.”

That wasn’t going to happen anyway. The show’s producers had made viewing the McCain interview in person off-limits to all but a tiny few.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator or vindy.com