Where has the time gone?\u00a0\u00a0We are ready to begin Season 12 at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.\u00a0It all starts this Sunday night with Country Superstar Trace Adkins.\u00a0It\u2019s a 7:30 p.m. concert with one of Country\u2019s biggest names, who is also a star of several movies.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll be honest, I decided to book Trace Adkins last winter when I returned from the movie theater and saw him co-starring in I Can Only Imagine<\/em>, the hit movie named after Mercy Me\u2019s popular and inspiring song.\u00a0The movie tells the incredible and unknown true story behind this chart busting Christian song sung by Mercy Me.\u00a0The producers of the movie chose tough countryman Adkins to star as the motivating manager of the up and coming Christian band.<\/p>\n We had Trace at the Niswonger back in Christmas 2013 and I remember talking with him back in the Green Room before the concert with his booming resonant voice filling the room.\u00a0He sang all Christmas songs and told stories.\u00a0It was a beautifully scripted show, but he did not sing any of his country style hit songs so many wanted to hear.\u00a0This Sunday, you\u2019ll be able to hear those and many more!\u00a0As I write this column, there are about 40 seats remaining.\u00a0You might be able to get a seat Sunday night at the door, but to be sure, I would get them in advance.<\/p>\n Originally, we had Pete Rose batting his usual lead-off for the season, but when we had the chance of booking Trace Adkins on September 9 that pushed Pete back to September 22.\u00a0The name of the show is actually \u201c4192: An Evening with Pete Rose.\u201d\u00a0It will be a wonderful way to get into the spirit of baseball as the playoffs and World Series approach.\u00a0I am sure Pete will have his opinion on who we\u2019ll see in the World Series this year!<\/p>\n Catch the \u201cHit King\u201d in Van Wert on Saturday, September 22.\u00a0Some good seats remain for the show and also the special VIP dinner and signing \u201cmeet & greet\u201d with Pete at the Elks prior to the 7:30 p.m. show.\u00a0It will be an exciting and always interesting time with Pete Rose of the Big Red Machine!<\/p>\n The following Saturday, September 29, brings Under the Streetlamp back to town for an already sold-out concert.\u00a0This doo-wop singing quartet of Jersey Boys<\/em>singers will light up the stage with their singing, dancing, and fabulous band.\u00a0Remember: you can always take the chance of some last minute released seats to come available that night, so don\u2019t give up if you really want to see this concert.<\/p>\n