October 2018 32 Sponsored by Cowtown Boots • Phoenix • Tempe • Tucson 96.3 Real Country Concert Page Venue: BLK Live 7301 E. Butherus Drive, Scottsdale, AZ (480) 494-5069, blkliveaz.com/ MARK WILLS October 14, 2018 The Reader’s Digest version of Mark Wills’ story makes it clear he’s an award-winning singer’s singer. His matchless phrasing, passionate and meaningful delivery and right-on- the money vocals make each and every song he performs come alive. Like a picture perfect painting, Wills’ music is a vocal work of art that walks right off the canvas and into the hearts of country music lovers alike. Bringing the Wills’ dimension to some of the greatest songs ever written, he’s not necessarily become known for being trendy, hip or even on the cutting edge, but rather and simply as a damn good singer! “I think I’m a good storyteller to make a son g meaningful. Whether romantic or ‘reality,’ my focus is on the music delivery to make it my own for the people who listen—so that they can make it their own.” And the people listen… His list of accolades is his testament. Mark Wills is a multi- platinum selling country music star with eight top 10 hits to his name including “19 Something,” “Wish You Were Here” and “Don’t Laugh At Me;” all of which received nominations for Single, Song and Video of the Year by the Country Music Association. Wills won the Academy of Country Music ‘s award for Top New Male Vocalist in 1998. In 2002, his single “19 Something” spent six consecutive weeks at No. 1, was Billboard‘s top country hit of the year and was the second most-played song of the decade in 2009. …and that’s just a chapter in Mark Wills’ life story. Since garnering his Top New Male Vocalist recognition in 1998, Wills has become a staple in country music, like salt and pepper on a table; the chapters may have changed, but the story continues. The father of two daughters, a husband and the head of household, Mark’s role in life and music are one in the same. “I think I’m at a point where I’ve seen all sides of me! I’ve become more aware of who I am not only as an artist, but as a father, a husband and a friend…and as a dad, I want to put out music my children can listen to; all in all, I take more ownership in it.” Venue: T-Mobile Arena 3780 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89158 (702) 692-1600, t-mobilearena.com GEORGE STRAIT December 7 & 8, 2018 The success attained by the legendary George Strait has been virtually endless, and rightfully so. Affectionately known as the “King of Country,” Strait’s legacy is one that will be tough to top, as his long-running reign over the genre has resulted in insurmountable accomplishments that include numerous CMA Entertainer of the Year honors, a record-setting number of chart-topping albums and songs, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he has been certified as one of the best-selling artists in the history of American music. Though George Strait claimed he would retire in 2017, he still tours and plays shows for his residency in Las Vegas. Venue: Musical Instrument Museum 4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050 (480) 478-6000, mim.org KATHY MATTEA October 31, 2018 GRAMMY Award–winning singer Kathy Mattea and her longtime collaborator, guitarist Bill Cooley, have shared one of Nashville’s most musically rich partnerships for over two decades. Her eighteen albums are woven through with bluegrass, gospel, and Celtic influences and have garnered multiple Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, and GRAMMY Awards. A genuine storyteller, Mattea draws inspiration from her Appalachian roots and is a torchbearer for often overlooked musical legacies such as those of Hazel Dickens and Jean Ritchie. Her most recent album, Calling Me Home (2012), is a collection of songs that celebrate the Appalachian culture of her native West Virginia and expands the vocabulary of acoustic roots music that has always served as her artistic center. Venue: Chandler Center For The Arts 250 N Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225 (480) 782-2680, chandlercenter.org TRAVIS TRITT November 2, 2018 Established country singer Travis Tritt has delivered a healthy dose of mainstream country with Southern rock influence to ticket holders nationwide since his 1990 arrival with the double-platinum debut “Country Club.” The only hat-less country star of that era (consider his counterparts Garth Brooks, Clint Black and Alan Jackson, for example), the Georgia-born performer has stayed busy ever since. His extensive discography is comprised of 11 studio releases and 39 singles that made it onto Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares),” “Can I Trust You With My Heart,” “Anymore” and “T-R-O- U-B-L-E” are among the most popular Tritt hits. realcountrylegends963.com His ownership is made evident in his newest collection of recordings on the CD entitled LOOKING FOR AMERICA; an assortment of tunes Mark describes as different, yet the same.