With a new name and new energy brought forth from Main Street’s partnership with Zac Brown and Camp Southern Ground, the 2012 concert series in Fayetteville will get kick started this Saturday with a high energy show from country outlaw, Travis Tritt. Fayette County residents are in for a real barnburner when this Georgia boy from Marietta cuts loose on the Southern Ground stage Saturday, June 9.
For the few who are unfamiliar with this country great, Travis Tritt was one of the leading new country singers of the early ’90s, holding his own against Garth Brooks, Clint Black, and Alan Jackson. He was the only one not to wear a hat and the only one to dip into bluesy Southern rock. Consequently, he developed a gutsy, image with a rock and roll influence that distinguished him from the rest of the pack. Throughout the early ’90s, he had a string of platinum albums and Top Ten singles, including three number one hits.
Tritt fell in love with music as a child, teaching himself how to play guitar when he was eight and beginning to write songs when he was 14.
In 1989, Warner Brothers’ signed Tritt, and his debut album, Country Club, spawned the Top Ten hit of the same name, followed by “Help Me Hold On” and “I’m Gonna Be Somebody,” which hit number one and two respectively. “Put Some Drive in Your Country,” which had a clear rock & roll influence, stalled at number four, since radio programmers were reluctant to feature such blatantly rock-derived music.
Tritt had a breakthrough success with his second album, 1991’s It’s All About to Change – which went into multi-platinum territory. T-r-o-u-b-l-e, Tritt’s third album, was released in 1992-it had the number one single, “Can I Trust You With My Heart,” and went gold. Tritt came back in 1994 with Ten Feet Tall & Bulletproof, which went platinum, spawned the number one single “Foolish Pride,” and marked his highest position, number 20, on the pop charts. Restless Kind was released in 1996, followed two years later by No More Looking Over My Shoulder. Throughout his career, Travis has been active on the touring circuit, and is currently working on a new album.
Opening for Tritt is Aaron Parker, a rising star on the Nashville music scene. Aaron is quickly gaining recognition for his energetic performances and stage presence. He will be singing the national anthem at the Atlanta Braves game earlier that day before heading down to Fayetteville for his opening performance at Southern Ground.
Brian Wismer, amphitheater manager and Main Street director for the City of Fayetteville, commented on opening night, “Everyone is energized about the start of this season as Southern Ground Amphitheater. Travis Tritt is the perfect artist to inaugurate the new partnership with Southern Ground and we look forward to an exciting season of great music. The amphitheater is a cool place that offers an outlet for Fayetteville residents to have fun with friends and music. It is one of the most affordable, most comfortable concert venues in the region, and it’s all right here in Fayetteville.”
A few tickets still remain for Travis Tritt, and range from $35 – $50. The next show will be The 5th Dimension on June 30.
Tickets to all shows are available via the website at SouthernGroundAmp.com and at the Historic Train Depot in Downtown Fayetteville.
The Southern Ground Amphitheater is owned by the Downtown Development Authority and managed by the Main Street Tourism Association of Fayetteville.
