Published: August 24, 2006 09:30 pm      

American Idol star tops bill for Labor Day Celebration

Due to limited seating, lawn chairs welcome

Bo Bice, of American Idol fame, will headline this year’s Wyoming County Labor Day Celebration Saturday, Sept. 2. Along with Bice’s band, Sugar Money, the free concert will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Pineville Middle School football field.

SRO, a southern rock band, will open for Bice at 3 p.m. The band has a huge following, according to Sherri Ellison, a member of the entertainment committee.

Due to the limited amount of seating, lawn chairs will be welcome, Ellison said.

Special accommodations near the stage will be made for concert-goers with special needs or those confined to a wheelchair. These individuals may contact a member of the event staff or any police officer the day of the concert for assistance.

No alcohol, coolers, pets or weapons will be permitted on the grounds, she emphasized.

Additionally, audio and video recording equipment will not be allowed. Digital and standard cameras are acceptable, Ellison noted.

Bice has been playing in bands, writing songs, recording and producing music since he was in high school.

“My father played guitar, banjo and mandolin,” the Alabama native said. “My mother and her three cousins were in a group called the Singing Jays, and my mom sang at the Grand Ole Opry.”

It was a natural progression for the 30-year-old to fantasize about a career in music.

He is a professional song writer and has produced a couple of Christian rock bands; however, his star blazed when he took the stage of American Idol.

Bice is now promoting his debut album, “The Real Thing,” which includes songs he helped write. Produced by Clive Davis, the record also includes songs written by such industry giants as Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and John Shanks.

Southern West Virginia Idol finalists will also be introduced on the stage Saturday at 5 p.m., Ellison said.

From the initial auditions, 24 contestants were selected by the judges, all radio personalities. The contestants will perform Friday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. on stage in Palisades Park, when the number will be reduced to 12, according to organizer Michael Knotts.

Those 12 will perform on stage Labor Day at 2 p.m. in Palisades Park, and the contestants will be reduced to six.

The final six contestants will perform at 6 p.m. on Labor Day, when the Southern West Virginia Idol will be chosen.

Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners, Knotts said.

Carnival rides and vendors will be open Thursday and Friday from 6 until 11 p.m. in Palisades Park. On Saturday, activities begin at 2 p.m.

Pineville Lions Club will host their annual car show, Show and Shine 2006, Sunday, Sept. 3, on the Pineville Middle School football field. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at noon. Entry fee is $10. Dash plaques will be given to the first 75 entries.

The top 60 will be recognized with trophies for Ladies Choice, Sheriff’s Choice, C-92 Choice, Chamber of Commerce Choice, Best of Show Car and Best of Show Truck. For more information, phone 732-6100. No alcoholic beverages will be allowed on the show grounds.

Also on Sunday, gospel music will be provided by several local performers.

Misty Thompson will be the featured performer Sunday at 6 p.m. in Palisades Park.

On Monday, bluegrass music will begin on the courthouse lawn at 9 a.m. The parade begins downtown at 11 a.m.

The event will conclude with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Monday.

Sponsors for the free Bo Bice concert include Riverside Energy, Brooks Run Mining, Pineville Area Chamber of Commerce, Wyoming County Convention and Visitors Bureau, CDX Gas Transmission, Pinn Oak Resources, C-92, Wal-Mart in MacArthur, Montani Graphics, and Castle Rock Restaurant.