FORT SILL, Okla.-- Two rising country acts will open the July 5 Trace Adkins concert on Fort Sill's Polo Field.
The Josh Abbott Band and Bri Bagwell, both Texas-based, will open the Independence Day weekend concert, headlined by Adkins and presented by Fort Sill Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
Josh Abbott Band
The Josh Abbott Band is an American Texas Country, Red Dirt band composed of Abbott, Austin Davis, Preston Wait, Edward Villanueva, James Hertless and Caleb Keeter.
They started touring in 2008, and released their first album "Scapegoat," in 2009. A second album, "She's Like Texas," followed in 2010. This album made the Top Country Albums charts. It includes the single "Oh Tonight," which debuted at No. 59 and reached No. 42 on the Country Songs chart in early 2011. Michael Berick of Allmusic rated the album four stars out of five, comparing it to Steve Earle, and he said Abbott's songwriting showed maturity.
They recorded their first sellout crowd at the World's Largest Honky Tonk, "Billy Bob's Texas" in Fort Worth Feb. 10, 2010, which sold 6,000 tickets.
The band's third CD, "Small Town Family Dream," was released April 24, 2012, and peaked at No. 5 on the charts. Singles from the CD include "Touch," which topped out at No. 41 on the charts, "I'll Sing About Mine," and "She Will Be Free."
Bri Bagwell
Bri Bagwell started out singing and playing keyboards with her twin brothers in their soft rock band "On Tap" when she was 14 years old. She later attended the University of Texas in Austin, and pursued a degree in marketing with a minor in management. During the summer of 2010, Bagwell wrote and cut an acoustic EP "Midnight Hour," with six original songs. She appeared on "CMT's Next Superstar" and signed with talent agency William Morris Endeavor of Nashville, Tenn.
Trace Adkins
Adkins, known for hits such as "You're Gonna Miss This" and "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," is a long-time supporter of the military and recently recorded several radio public service announcements with his new song, "Tough People Do."
This is his third trip to Fort Sill to perform for the military community. He is also a spokesman for the Wounded Warriors Project, and he was a past honoree at their Courage Awards, where he was recognized for his efforts to help raise awareness for the men and women who have been wounded in service to their country. He's performed on seven United Service Organization tours in the past 11 years; most recently in December in Okinawa and at U.S. bases on the Japanese mainland.
Adkins made his debut in 1995 with the album "Dreamin' Out Loud." He is also an author and an actor on TV and in the movies. He won the reality show "Celebrity Apprentice." Adkins has released nine studio albums and 30 singles on the country charts. His songs include: "Every Light in the House," "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing," "I Left Something Turned On at Home," "Rough and Ready," "Ladies Love Country Boys," "Marry For Money," "Brown Chicken, Brown Cow," and "Ala-Freakin-Bama."
Adkins has racked up more than 30 hits on the singles charts, four Grammy nominations and five Academy of Country Music and Country Music Television awards in his 17 years as a country artist.
The concert
The concert is FMWR's way of ensuring high-class talent is made available locally so residents in the area don't have to travel, said Brenda Spencer-Ragland, Fort Sill FMWR director.
"We bring the talent home for the community and to show our appreciation to the Soldiers and their families for the sacrifices they make each day," she said.
The concert is also the biggest fundraiser of the year for FMWR, and the money helps generate quality of life programs for Soldiers and their families.
"The concert is not supplemented by Department of the Army dollars," said Spencer-Ragland. "The ticket price allows us to reinvest in our facilities and maintain our programs. This is pure business. We bring quality entertainment to the area at a reasonable price. We chose the long holiday weekend to ensure that the community has a safe, close-to-home entertainment option to enjoy."
Tickets
Tickets are on sale at both Adventure Travel offices, in the Welcome Center at 4700 Mow-Way Road and Central Mall, and at Lawton EZ Go stores. Tickets are also online at www.sillmwr.com.
Advance tickets cost $30; at the gate, they cost $35.
The concert is co-produced by FMWR and the Army FMWR Command, Army Entertainment Division and is part of the Army Concert Tour. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.The concert is sponsored by Coors Light, Billingsley Family of Dealerships, Coca-Cola, USA Discounters, USAA, REMAX Pam and Barry's Team, Freedom Furniture and Electronics, Fort Sill Federal Credit Union, Corvias Military Living, EZ Go, People's Cab Company, KSWO 7 News, K-LAW 101 and the Lawton Constitution.
For more information, call Adventure Travel at 580-250-4040.
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