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01 October 2003

Online News
Blue-Collar Country Singer Plays To Wild Crowd

By Wilson Brown
OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Pine Bluff received its second serenade in a row by a platinum selling country artist.

Just about two weeks after Trick Pony entertained crowds at the Smoke on the Water festival, Aaron Tippin brought his brand of contemporary, blue-collar, patriotic country to the fairgrounds Tuesday night.

"Actually (the fair promoters) picked us," said long-time Tippin bass player Mark Johnson about how the band came to play at Pine Bluff. "All it takes is someone to come and ask us."

The veteran country singer/songwriter played to a wild crowd during the second day of the Southeast Arkansas District Livestock Show, Fair and Rodeo. The arena was half filled, but the audience was enthusiastic.

"We heard he put on a great show," said Diane Mays, a Tippin fan. "We're coming from Greenbrier, Arkansas."

And the singer of "Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly" did not disappoint his fans. Coming on stage after his 5-year-old son led the audience and band in the Pledge of Allegiance, Tippin slid out with a camouflage-painted, acoustic guitar and a microphone headset.

"Hello, Pine Bluff how y'all doing tonight," Tippin shouted. "I want see how many veterans are out there tonight."

Tippin sashayed his way across the stage almost doing interpretative dances as he sang to a sea of Stetson hats.

Tippin and other country artists, such as Alan Jackson and Toby Keith, are some of the country acts that released albums or songs about the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

The acclaimed singer and former Nashville studio staff songwriter's latest album cover, "Stars & Stripes," features Tippin in front of a swaying American flag.

Tippin and his band also spent time with U.S. troops in Afghanistan last year, according to long-time Tippin bassist Johnson.

The country singer's merchandise booth featured a photo slide show of his USO tour in November 2002 and his Thanksgiving meal with the troops.


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Oct 01, 2003

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