A quick draw for McGraw expected

March 5, 2011 at 12:09a.m.

Valley stays true to country music

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

YOUNGSTOWN

When it comes to music, the Mahoning Valley is country strong.

Fans in the area can be counted on to turn out for concerts, insiders say. Part of the proof can be seen in this week’s announcement that Tim McGraw will swing his 56-city tour into Youngstown’s Covelli Centre on May 6.

“Even though the economy is not perfect, people here seem to support country acts,” said Doug James, program director at country radio station K-105 FM. “There were a ton of country shows last year at Blossom and First Niagara, and just as many, if not more, this year. And Live Nation can track [the location of ticket buyers], so they know people from this neighborhood are going to Cleveland and Pittsburgh for the concerts.”

Kelsey Rupert, marketing manager for Covelli Centre, said she expects the Tim McGraw concert will sell out. About 5,900 seats will be available for the concert. She noted that it only took a couple of days for country star Carrie Underwood’s June 2008 concert at Covelli to sell out.

“[The Mahoning Valley is] typically regarded well for country music, so we try to get as many concerts as possible,” said Rupert.

McGraw hadn’t toured in a while before he returned to the road in 2010, said K-105’s James. “He’s hitting it hard again this year,” he said.

McGraw was named country music’s top touring act of 2010 by Billboard. His latest hit single, “Felt Good On My Lips,” topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart earlier this year.

McGraw’s 56-city tour kicks off April 8 in Corpus Christi, Texas. It includes concerts not only in Youngstown, but Pittsburgh and five other Ohio cities: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo and St. Clairsville (Jamboree in the Hills).

“They feel people will support a show between Cleveland and Pittsburgh,” said James.

K-105, which pulls in listeners throughout Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and into the Canton area, had been teasing the show all week on the air.

McGraw has also carved out an acting career, most recently co-starring with Gwyneth Paltrow in the 2010 film “Country Strong.”

He also co-starred with Sandra Bullock in 2009’s “The Blind Side,” and has appeared in several other films.

McGraw has sold more than 40 million units in his career, racking up 32 No. 1 singles and three Grammy Awards.

Tickets for the Youngstown show are $75.50 (floor and some fixed seats) and $50, plus applicable fees, and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

Opening the concert will be Luke Bryan and The Band Perry. On Wednesday, The Band Perry received the fan-voted Academy of Country Music award for Top New Vocal Duo or Group. It is also in the running for Top New Artist at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, which will be broadcast live April 3 on CBS.