If you go
› What: American Dream Concert featuring Craig Morgan.› When: 8 p.m. Friday, May 6. Box office opens at 5:45 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m., Krystye Dalton Band plays at 7 p.m.› Where: Engel Stadium, 1130 E. Third St.› Admission: $20.› Phone: 423-753-2213.› Website: www.riverbendfestival.com/american-dream.› Note: Tickets also available at Kangaroo Express/Circle K locations.
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Craig Morgan, a country singer whose bio includes stints as a soldier, sheriff's deputy and EMT, will headline the fourth annual American Dream Concert on Friday, May 6, at Engel Stadium.
The event is a fundraiser for UTC's Veterans Entrepreneurship Program and the Engel Foundation. The VEP, administered by UTC's College of Business, provides free training and mentoring to help veterans launch or grow a business using the skill sets they learned in the military. The Engel Foundation was chartered in 2009 to preserve the historic ballpark on East Third Street.
Morgan began his musical career in 2000 with a self-titled debut album, but it was his next four albums that solidified his place on the charts: "I Love It" in 2003, "My Kind of Livin'" in 2005, "Little Bit of Life" in 2006 and "That's Why" in 2008.
"I Love It" gave him his first Top 10 hit, "Almost Home."
"My Kind of Livin'" shot two songs to the top of the charts: the working-class anthem "Redneck Yacht Club" (No. 2) and "What I Love About Sunday" (No. 1), the most played country song of 2015.
"Little Bit of Life" produced hits with the title track and "International Harvester.""That's Why" put the singles "Love Remembers" and "Bonfire" in Billboard's Top 10.
In addition to the familiar hits, Morgan has a new album, "A Whole Lot More to Me," coming June 3.
"I've got a renewed energy with this record," he says on his website. "In fact, I'm at the pinnacle of my career - producing, singing and touring. And this album epitomizes that. It's about living to the fullest, and when people hear it, I know they'll relate it to their own lives."
The Chattanooga-based Krystye Dalton Band, who play roots rock and soul, will open the concert at 7 p.m.
Did you know?
* Craig Morgan was born Craig Morgan Greer on July 17, 1964, in Kingston Springs, Tenn. * His father played bass for country stars Vern Gosdin, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, among others. * At 10, Morgan sang the national anthem during a school field trip to Nashville in front of a crowd that included Minnie Pearl, who told him, "Son, someday you're gonna be a famous singer." * His first job, at age 18, was as an emergency medical technician. * He served almost 10 years in the U.S. Army and is a combat veteran of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. * He took up performing and songwriting while serving in the armed forces and won military contests in both. * When he left the service, he moved to Nashville to pursue music, working as a contractor, sheriff's deputy and Wal-Mart assistant dairy manager. * He was still in the Reserves when he released his self-titled debut album in 2000. * A lifelong outdoorsman, he hosts "Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors" on the Outdoor Channel. * He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. Sources: craigmorgan,com, cmt.com, tasteofcountry.com