The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

February 16, 2013

The Greenbrier Classic

Country superstar will headline concert series

By Tina Alvey Register-Herald Reporter

It’s official.

Country music superstar Kenny Chesney will headline The Greenbrier Classic Concert Series this summer with a Fourth of July performance.

According to Jim Justice, owner of The Greenbrier, Chesney — who is the biggest ticket seller in country music today — will continue the Classic Concert Series’ tradition of featuring at least one top country act.

“I’m just really tickled that we got Kenny Chesney for the Fourth of July,” he said.

Justice added, “We’re also going to do a spectacular celebratory fireworks show that will be even better than last year’s, and everybody is welcome to our Fourth of July parade at The Greenbrier.”

Chesney will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. at the State Fair of West Virginia amphitheater in Fairlea on Thursday, July 4, the first day of The Greenbrier Classic PGA TOUR event.

Chesney is a CMT and AMA Artist of the Year, a four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and a four-time ACM Entertainer of the Year.

He will embark on the “No Shoes Nation” tour starting March 16. His Greenbrier concert falls between announced tour stops in Columbus, Ohio’s Crew Stadium June 29 and the Cavendish Beach Music Festival on Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, July 6.

“This country is an amazing place,” Chesney said in a prepared release. “I see it every night at my shows: all the heart, the passion and the fun I can see out in the crowd. And to be able to spend the Fourth of July somewhere as historic as the Greenbrier, that’s a pretty incredible place to celebrate our nation’s birthday!”

Justice said that this summer’s Concert Series, which is staged in conjunction with The Greenbrier Classic PGA TOUR golf tournament at the resort, might only feature two concerts this year, instead of three as in past years.

“Some of our sponsors want an extra night during the tournament to be with their people,” Justice explained, emphasizing no final decision has been made on the number of concerts.

Just in case there are only two concerts, however, Justice said he plans to ensure the second one showcases another top-notch performer.

“We’re working on some others, but we haven’t gotten anywhere yet,” he said.

Among the entertainers Justice said his team has contacted are Lady Gaga, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Bruce Springsteen.

“Now, some of these people just don’t come out into the country to perform,” Justice cautioned. “But we’re still talking with one of them; I just can’t tell you which one.”

He did indicate that Lady Gaga and Madonna are both “off the table” at this point.

The golf tournament is slated for July 4-7, with preliminary activities beginning July 1. For additional tournament information, visit www.greenbrierclassic.com.

Admission to the tournament and the concerts, plus parking, is tied to the weekly grounds badge, which is now available online at www.greenbrier.shopping.com or by calling 304-536-5322.

General admittance grounds badges are $199. Benefactor badges, alumni badges and clubhouse badges are $285, $495 and $5,000, respectively.

According to Habibi Said, national sales manager for The Greenbrier Classic, badge sales are already brisk.

“Sales are going well; our numbers are ahead of last year at this time,” Said noted. “We’re very pleased.”

— E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com

 

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