Stuart, Brown Lead Off Year At Music Park

Marty Stuart comes as the lead performer. T. Graham Brown will be the preliminary entertainer. Each singer performs twice in 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. shows.

"Right now, tickets ($18 per person) are going a little slow," Alice Bowen, manager of the Calhoun arena, said. "Maybe things will pick up the last several days." What does she anticipate attendance-wise? "Maybe 4,500," Mrs. Bowen answered. "We still have a lot of work to do to get that."

The arena, located 1.5 miles off I-75 on Red Bud Road, seats 4,394 people for one show. She reported season ticket sales at 1,400 are down a little from past years. The average had been 1,600.

Mrs. Bowen acknowledged that Concerts in the Country--Lanierland, based in Cumming--which comes under same ownership--probably cut into attendance of all the shows. Performers entertain on back-to-back nights at the two sites.

Stuart has had several outstanding songs from his new album, "Love and Luck." Among them are "Kiss Me, I'm Gone," "Wheels," "You Can Walk All Over Me," "That's What Love's About," "That's When You'll Know It's Over," "Shake Your Hips," "I Ain't Giving Up On Love," "Marty Stuart Visits The Moon," and "If I Give My Soul." He has written or co-written many of his songs.

Born in Mississippi, Stuart got a start as a youngster playing mandolin and guitar with Johnny Cash and the late Lester Flatt.

By Doug Hawley