Country duo to perform at fairgrounds

Montgomery Gentry concert tickets will go on sale May 9 for $40 to $60

By Ben Orcutt -- borcutt@nvdaily.com

FRONT ROYAL -- The Warren County Fair Association has landed country music's Montgomery Gentry to perform in a stand-alone concert at the fairgrounds on June 7 at 7 p.m.

"They're a huge duo," said fair association Vice President Tom Eshelman. "They have a full band behind them. It's very rowdy, high-energy show. They will definitely get your feet to stomping. I've seen it before. It's an awesome show."

Montgomery Gentry is comprised of baritone Eddie Montgomery and tenor Troy Gentry, according to their Web site, montgomery
gentry.musiccitynetworks. com.

In their 10th year of touring nationally, Montgomery Gentry has had No. 1 singles hits with "If You Ever Stop Loving Me," "Something To Be Proud Of," and "Lucky Man."

Their latest release is "Back When I Knew It All."

A thousand reserved tickets priced $60 and $50 will go on sale May 9 at 8 a.m. at the fairgrounds, Eshelman said, along with 2,000 general admission tickets at $40 each. Tickets also can be purchased on the Internet at warrencounty fair.com or by phone at 635-5827, Eshelman said.

"There will probably be some sort of opening act," Eshelman added.

A small venue like the Warren County Fairgrounds can create some anxiety for big names like Montgomery Gentry, Eshelman said, but the venue's reputation is solid for being able to handle such acts.

"We've got a petty good track record as far as being a producer," Eshelman said.

Eshelman pointed to recent concerts with similar big names, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard and Travis Tritt that sold out at the fairgrounds.

"I would imagine this show would hopefully continue that trend," Eshelman said. "We sold 1,000 Travis Tritt tickets in one hour. We're out to beat that record."

Despite the downturn in the economy, concertgoers have been buying tickets, but prefer to stay closer to home, Eshelman said.

"Tickets sales have been brisk for the summer concert season," he said.

New for this show will be a $5 ticket fee in addition to the ticket price and a fee of $5 per carload for parking, Eshelman said.

"It is the most expensive concert we've ever booked," he said. "We have applied for an alcohol permit to serve beer. It's the first show we've ever done that at."

Eshelman said all proceeds from the concert will benefit the Warren County Fair Association.