IF YOU GOWhat: Steel Magnolia in concert.When: 3 and 8 p.m. SundayWhere: Lake Winnepesaukah, 1730 Lakeview Drive, Rossville.Admission: Free with $5 gate admission for ages 18 and older; (under 18 must be with an adult and purchase $13 ride ticket or $21 unlimited-ride pass).Phone: 706-866-5681.Website: www.lakewinnie.com.
Country music fans have the rare opportunity to hear Steel Magnolia live Sunday at Lake Winnepesaukah.
The duo - Meghan Linsey and her fiance, Joshua Scott Jones - are playing only three concerts in this area, and Sunday is one of them. (The others are Sept. 10 in Fayetteville, Tenn., and Oct. 8 at the Foothills Festival in Maryville.)
"This is their first time in the greater Chattanooga area," said Talley Green, spokeswoman for Lake Winnie. "They are such an amazing duo. Their voices blend so beautifully with a distinctive sound."
Linsey was a karaoke host when she met Jones. The couple were discovered when they entered Season 2 of CMT Network's "Can You Duet," winning a recording contract with Big Machine Records. Their debut single "Keep on Lovin' You," vaulted into Billboard's Top 10 on the Country Singles chart. Their latest single is "Last Night Again."
The couple is opening for Reba McEntire on select dates of her fall tour, All the Woman I Am, in addition to their own concert schedule.
Steel Magnolia's appearance at Lake Winnie continues a string of high-profile country and Christian music acts to play the Jukebox Junction. Jerrod Niemann and Colt Ford have already visited this summer, and Dove Award-winning Christian soloist Natalie Grant is coming Aug. 14.
Green said acts are booked at Lake Winnie anywhere from six to 10 months in advance.
"We watch the charts, listen to the radio, look at record sales and demographics through the South, then try to look into the magic ball and see who is still going to be popular over the summer months," said Green.