The singer whose tribute to “Small Town USA” became his first No. 1 hit is coming to small-town Georgia for a big-time fundraiser.
Country star Justin Moore is headlining a concert at North Murray High School in Chatsworth on Tuesday night. The show is to help the North Murray TouchDown Club raise money to build a new fieldhouse.
All proceeds from the concert’s ticket sales will benefit the football boosters; proceeds from concession sales will be divided between all of the high school’s sports teams.
If You GoWhat: Justin Moore in concert.When: 8 p.m. Tuesday.Where: North Murray High School football stadium, 2568 Mount Carmel Church Road, Chatsworth, Ga.Admission: $25.Website: www.northmurrayfootball.com.TICKET NOTESIn advance: Available until Tuesday at Chik-fil-A in Walnut Square Mall, Dalton; Eton City Hall, in Eton, Ga.; Saucy Bones BBQ and World Electronics Radio Shack in Chatsworth; and online at www.northmurrayfootball.com.Day of show: Any remaining tickets will be sold at the gate Tuesday night. Ticket purchases made at the gate must be paid in cash only.
“We couldn’t have gotten him at a better time,” said TouchDown Club president Chad Stainton of their headliner.
“His single ‘If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away’ was No. 1, his new album is climbing the charts, and he has a new single out, ‘Bait a Hook,’ and it’s climbing fast.”
Moore is from a small town, Poyen, Ark. His insider’s look at rural life resonates with country radio fans.
The 27-year-old began singing at age 3 in church, won the Poyen High School talent show when he was 8 and by his teen years was playing area Arkansas festivals. When he was a high-school senior, his dad suggested he should consider a career in music, according to online biographies.
Salutatorian of his class, he turned down several baseball scholarship offers to enroll in a nearby community college. But after just a few weeks of college, he moved to Nashville in 2002.
He now records on the Valory Music label of Big Machine Records. His second album, “Outlaws Like Me,” was released in June. By July, its lead single, “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” became his second No. 1. His other hits include “Back That Thing Up,” “Backwoods” and “Hank It.”
Stainton said the concert will take place in the football stadium. The boosters are bringing in a large, covered stage for one end zone that will accommodate the singer’s lights and sound system. Seating for 2,800 will be available in the stadium bleachers, or concertgoers may bring a blanket or folding chair to sit on the field.
“At Justin’s request, we will have a section roped off in front of the stage that will be a standing-room-only section. Just before the concert, the section will be opened for anyone who wants to come down and stand in front of the singer,” said Stainton.
Opening for Moore will be Dustin Lynch, whom Moore asked to bring as his opener.