A Diamond Rio Christmas at GPAC
by BETH SOLZSMAN-CARPENTER While the
climate may be getting colder, things are heat- ing up at Givens Performing Arts Center. Just in time for the holidays, GPAC is kicking off the season with A Diamond Rio Christmas on Dec. 4. The concert will be even merrier for military ID card holders who can take advantage of the Military Appreciation Special.
Diamond Rio will be performing at Givens Performing Arts Center on Dec. 4.
Diamond Rio has been churning out country music hits since 1991 when its
release of “Meet in the Middle” hit number one on the Billboard’s Hot Country Singles Tracks charts. The band has released a total of seven albums, three of which achieved platinum status. In addition, the Academy of Country Music has named them Top Vocal Group four consecutive years. With more than 30 country hits under their belts, Diamond Rio has more recently turned their focus to con- temporary Christian music with last year’s release of “The Reason.” When asked what fans can expect to hear, Patricia Fields, executive director
of GPAC, explained, “While our show is being billed as A Diamond Rio Christmas after their 2007 top holiday release, this leg of their tour is being presented as Holidays and Hits. Folks coming to celebrate the season will be happy and those fans hoping to hear such hits as “Beautiful Mess,” “Meet in the Middle” and “Norma Jean Riley” will not be disappointed either”. GPAC, currently celebrating its 35th anniversary, has been instrumental in bringing an array of cultural and musical events to the area. “Each year we pres- ent a variety of series options that include the Broadway and More Series, the On Stage for Youth Series, the Distinguished Speaker Series and the Nostalgia Concert Series” says Fields. “Diamond Rio is the second show on this year’s Nostalgia Concert Series and therefore a part of the 35th Anniversary Celebration.” Country music shows have been quite popular over the years at GPAC.
According to Fields, “Country has always done well for us and Diamond Rio has continued to sell not only records but also tickets for almost 20 years. We were looking for a special Christmas event and Diamond Rio has an amazing array of Christmas music that they feature in their late November and early December shows.” GPAC is located on the campus of the University of North Carolina at
CALLING ALL LOCAL BANDS
1. E-mail Stephanie@upandcomingweekly.com for our Q&A. 2. Fill it out and e-mail it back to us.
3. Send a recent, high-resolution photo of your band. 4. Look for your article in an upcoming issue.
Pembroke, just a short drive from Fayetteville. The Diamond Rio concert will be on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets for the show range from $20-$30, but mili- tary members can “buy one get one free” with a military ID card. For more information about the concert, visit the UNCP website at www.uncp.edu and click on the “news and events” tab.
BETH SOLZSMON-CARPENTER, Con- tributing Writer, is a realtor with ERA Strother Real Estate. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com.
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