These are cool times for country fans.
First we got word that red-hot Sugarland will play Tullio Arena on Oct. 18 with guests Kellie Pickler and Ashton Shepherd. (Tickets will be going on soon).
Then we heard Monday that Gary Allan and guest Lee Brice will perform at Edinboro's McComb Fieldhouse on Oct. 11 Those tickets ($30) will go on sale to the general public on Aug. 25 at noon at 732-2177 and online at edinborotickets.com.
Now -- according to a press release -- it looks like the CMT on Tour show with electrifying performer Jason Aldean and special guest Lady Antebellum will play Erie, too. The release lists a Nov. 15 at the Warner Theatre.
This is the seventh edition of CMT on Tour; previous ones featured Sugarland, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, and Trace Adkins.
No word yet when tickets will go on sale but most likely it won't happen until after Sugarland tickets go on sale. That show arrives first.
Metallica has announced the dates for its North American tour....and you won't find any near us. Ditto, unfortunately, Trans-Siberian Orchestra -- a staple here since 2002 and automatic sellout at Tullio Arena. Erie is not listed on the band's Christmas itinerary. Blame that on a couple factors: The show's production has grown so large it's hard to cram it into an arena the size of ours. Plus, as costs go up, it makes it more paramount the show plays larger venues. The civic center just doesn't have enough seats -- the show has basically outgrown the market.
Consider that TSO will play two shows at Buffalo's HSBC Arena (Dec. 6), another two at Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena (Dec. 17), and four at Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena (Dec. 29-30). When they can sell out stadiums, why play to only 6,000 or so fans here? It's the same reason we'll never see Kenny Chesney or AC/DC again --they can make more money elsewhere.
Old 97s play Buffalo on Oct. 8 and Cleveland on Oct. 10, which means they'll be driving right by us on I-90. Wouldn't it be cool if someone alertly snapped them up for a Thursday, Oct. 11 show?
Just a thought. Check that: A pipe dream.
That's a shame because TSO has plenty of devoted fans here. Now they'll have to see the group in