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Covelli Centre books James Taylor
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
Covelli Centre has booked its second major concert of the summer.
Acoustic rock legend James Taylor and his All-Star Band will come to the downtown arena Aug. 3.
Eric Ryan, director of Covelli Centre, has made it his goal to add a few major events to the arena in the typically slow summer months, when concerts move outdoors. Ryan’s promotion company had already booked Def Leppard for a July 15 concert. That announcement was made in February.
“We’re constantly working to identify successful events for summertime, which has admittedly been our most difficult,” said Kelsey Rupert, director of marketing for Covelli Centre. “We’re fortunate that our efforts have been rewarded this year. Not only do we have Def Leppard, but we now have the privilege of having yet another icon in James Taylor.”
Taylor — who is known for his warm baritone voice and distinctive style of guitar playing — has had a distinguished career for more than 40 years. He has sold more than 100 million albums, earning gold, platinum and multiplatinum awards for classic albums ranging from “Sweet Baby James” in 1970 to “October Road” in 2002.
Taylor has won multiple Grammy awards and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
His most popular songs include “Fire and Rain,” “Carolina On My Mind,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Your Smiling Face” and “Shower the People.”
Tickets are $89.50 and $65 and go on sale April 24 at 10 a.m. at ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, and at the box office at Covelli Centre.