Music

Briefs 9-27-08 (09/29/08)
H & N Chevy, Asher Motor Company, Don Pierson Ford, and Motor Inn of Spencer will have new cars at the Southpark Mall in south Spencer through Sunday. Sept. 28. This is a great opportunity for the public to see the newest line of automobiles. --- Shaky Tree Coffee will be hosting a Saturday night concert featuring critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Mat d. ...

Briefs 9-26-08 (09/26/08)
"Artisans Road Trip: Before and After," currently on display at Arts on Grand, showcases over twenty-five of the regional artists involved in Artisans Road Trip 2008, which takes place on the weekend of Oct. 4--5. The artists reception for the exhibit will be at 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, with a gallery talk at 5:30 p.m. The public is cordially invited to come and meet some of the artists for conversation and refreshments...

Briefs 9-25-08 (09/25/08)
Spencer Northwest Iowa Singles will meet at 7 p.m. tonight in the Southpark Mall Food Court for dinning and a short meeting. The club is open to singles 30 and above, widowed or divorced. Come and join us. n Call Tim at 260-0616 for more information...

Briefs 9-24-08 (09/24/08)
Iowa High School Speech Association Judges' Certification Meeting Here at Spencer High School. A judges' certification meeting of the Iowa High School Speech Association will be held at Spencer High School at 7 p.m. tonight in the Spencer High School little theatre and the adjoining room 120. Prospective judges attending this meeting will be certified to judge both Large Group Speech and Individual Speech for the Iowa High School Speech Association...

Multi-faceted musician gives students sneak pear at concert (09/20/08)
Multi-instrumentalist Todd Green, scheduled to open the Spencer Area Concert Association's 2008--09 season with a 2:30 p.m., matinee performance Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Clay County Regional Events Center, arrived in town a bit early as part of a week-long residency that included performances for schoolchildren in the Spencer, Clay Central/Everly, Sioux Central and Ruthven-Ayrshire school districts. ...

Briefs 9-19-08 (09/19/08)
The Starlings duo will be live on stage at Shaky Tree Coffee at 8 p.m. tonight. It's rootsy music with a simple beauty. --- The Grand Slam Sportscard Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Southpark Mall. Collectors and sports fans will enjoy the variety of sportscards and collectibles on display to buy, sell and trade...

Briefs 9-18-08 (09/18/08)
Spencer Public Library will host a book signing by Vicki Myron, author of "Dewey: The Small-town Library Cat Who Touched the World" tonight at the library. Vicki will speak at 7 p.m. and will sell and sign copies of her book afterward. Friends of the Library will provide refreshments and give away a copy of the book...

Elliott will showcase talents during ART (09/18/08)
Iowa artist Chad Elliott will be featured as one of the 40 artists opening their studios, workspaces or galleries as part of the 2008 Artisans Road Trip. Elliott will be hosting his art and music at Shaky Tree Coffee in Spencer during the event from 9 a.m.-5 fp.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 and 12-5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5...

Green to open concert season (09/17/08)
Multi-instrumentalist Todd Green will open the Spencer Area Concert Association's 2008--09 season with a 2:30 p.m., matinee performance on Sunday, Sept. 21, in the Grand Ballroom at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Note that the date, time, and place have been changed from those originally announced last spring due to a scheduling conflict...

Disney-mania sure to ensue with Corbin Bleu (09/13/08)
Corbin Bleu is best known for his role as Chad in "High School Musical" alongside Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale. While HSM is what shot him to fame, Corbin won his first leading role in "Catch That Kid" opposite Kristen Stewart. He has also worked with quite the list of big name actors like Kurt Russell, Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Stiller and Hank Azaria, among others...

2008 Clay County Fair - Turner to light up stage with hit 'Firecracker' (09/12/08)
Josh Turner is one of the brightest young stars on the country music scene right now. His lyrics speak to people because they are about everyday occurrences and people relate to that. "The life that I live and the experiences that I have always affect what comes out of me creatively. I think that's what makes music real," said Turner...

Briefs 9-12-08 (09/12/08)
The Dickinson County Friends of CAASA are proud to present their Second Annual Sweet Escape on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 7-10 p.m. at the Pierson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji. Local dessert makers will be preparing succulent desserts that will be judged by attendees. Local artists will be offering special pieces for auction with, and area musicians win providing entertainment...

Briefs 9-11-08 (09/11/08)
The Clay County Farm Service Agency will host USDA informational meeting at 1 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 11, at Frederick's of Royal, located at 303 Main St. in Royal. The meeting will provide information on SURE (Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program), which was enacted as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), to provide supplemental disaster assistance...

Briefs 9-10-08 (09/10/08)
The Clay County Farm Service Agency will host USDA informational meeting at 1 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 11 at Frederick's of Royal, located at 303 Main St. in Royal. The meeting will provide information on SURE (Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program), which was enacted as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), to provide supplemental disaster assistance...

Third Day coming to Spencer (09/10/08)
Christian rock band Third Day will be making a stop at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer on their Music Builds Tour on Saturday, Nov. 1. Special guests NeedToBreathe and Revive will open for Third Day. The three-hour show will start at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m...

Briefs 9-09-08 (09/09/08)
The regular meeting of the Prairie Lakes Audubon Society will be at 7 p.m. tonight at the Spirit Lake Library. The program for the evening will be video/discussion of Jan Goodall's visit to Iowa Lakeside Lab in the fall of 2007. All are welcome to join us...

Mayer talks about life on tour during Spencer stop (09/09/08)
Remember all the free time "Nashville Star" finalist Shawn Mayer was going to have now that the show is over? Well, it isn't going to happen anytime soon for the 21-year-old from May City in Osceola County. Songwriting and the "Nashville Star" tour have been her focus since the NBC country music competition came to a conclusion a month ago. ...

New stage dedication to take place during Yearwood concert (09/06/08)
Sure, the performers are going to draw the focus most nights at the 2008 Clay County Fair. But the stage under their feet is worth some attention this year. It's new, it's bigger and it will bring the fair's favorite acts closer to the seats than they've ever been...

Briefs 9-05-08 (09/05/08)
Fair booster tickets will be sold individually for $5 each, a savings of $2 from the regular daytime gate admission price for adults. Individuals and businesses may take advantage of the savings by purchasing tickets from a fair booster ticket location or a fair booster representative prior to 5 p.m. ...

Briefs 9-04-08 (09/04/08)
Arts on Grand will host an "open mic" event at 7 p.m. tonight. This is an excellent opportunity for local artists to share their talents in a casual, supportive environment. Interested musicians, poets, or anyone else who would like to take part may sign up in advance at Arts on Grand or just show up that evening...

'Nashville Star' finalist plans fair stop (09/04/08)
"Nashville Star" finalist Shawn Mayer is getting a chance to come home -- with the help of the Clay County Fair and local radio stations KICD, CD107.7 and Lite 104.9. Mayer is from May City in rural Osceola County and finished third in NBC's country music competition series this summer. Barring any travel snafus, Mayer will sign autographs from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the KICD Courtyard stage on the fairgrounds...

Concert Association season tickets go on sale (09/02/08)
Season tickets for the Spencer Area Concert Association will go on sale Sept. 6 at Arts on Grand and at the Art Barn at the Clay County Fair. The 2008--09 season will be the biggest ever, with eight concerts in Spencer. Along with their season tickets, subscribers will receive an order form for tickets to the Vienna Boys Choir concert on Valentine's Day 2009. Tickets for the Vienna Boys Choir concert will go on sale to the general public on Nov. 1...

Briefs 8-28-08 (08/28/08)
Music will return to the gallery at Arts on Grand tonight after a brief hiatus due to Mainstreet Market. This week's music will be provided by popular local entertainers Jerry Roberts and Dennis Wienke. They will perform a variety of traditional music, country music, and rock-and-roll oldies beginning at 7 p.m. A $5 donation is requested, with all proceeds going to the musicians...

Briefs 8-27-08 (08/27/08)
Music will return to the gallery at Arts on Grand this Thursday after a brief hiatus due to Mainstreet Market. This week's music will be provided by popular local entertainers Jerry Roberts and Dennis Wienke. They will perform a variety of traditional music, country music, and rock-and-roll oldies beginning at 7 p.m. A $5 donation is requested, with all proceeds going to the musicians...

National Anthem tryouts for Corbin Bleu concert (08/27/08)
Friday, Sept. 12, National Anthem tryouts for area high school students will be held in the 4-H Auditorium during the Clay County Fair. The winner of the competition will perform the National Anthem before the Corbin Bleu and Drew Seeley concert on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m...

Briefs 8-26-08 (08/26/08)
Music will return to the gallery at Arts on Grand this Thursday after a brief hiatus due to Mainstreet Market. This week's music will be provided by popular local entertainers Jerry Roberts and Dennis Wienke. They will perform a variety of traditional music, country music, and rock-and-roll oldies beginning at 7 p.m. A $5 donation is requested, with all proceeds going to the musicians...

Briefs 8-20-08 (08/20/08)
The Iowa Great Lakes Region Antique Automobile Club will be on display through Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Southpark Mall in south Spencer. Car enthusiasts and history buffs will enjoy this display. On Aug. 24 The Hands of Harmony Swinging Seniors will be entertaining us at 2:30 p.m. Come enjoy the display and entertainment...

Area's Pettits are 'Hall of Fame' singers (08/20/08)
The children of Claude and Marie Pettit of Emmetsburg have been referred to as "The Pettit Family," "The Kids Next Door," "The Singing Pettits," and "The Petites" over the past 50 years. While all seven sang at one time or another, the five primary singing siblings will be recognized for their state and national successes next weekend in Arnolds Park as they're inducted into the 2008 class of the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame...

New staff to greet CC/E students Aug. 20 (08/16/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff When the bell marking the start of the 2008-09 school year rings on the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 20, Clay Central/Everly students will be greeted in their respective buildings and classrooms by a handful of new staff members...

The Starlings set to play Shaky Tree (08/15/08)
As part of a six month national tour promoting their new album, "Marveling the While," which debuted at No. 8 on the Euro-Americana charts in April, The Starlings will perform at The Shaky Tree on Friday, Sept. 20. The Starlings have captured the ears of fans both in the Northwest and beyond. ...

'Footloose' opens tonight at Spencer Community Theatre (08/07/08)
Spencer Community Theatre presents the northwest Iowa premiere of "Footloose," opening tonight and running through August 10. One of the most energetic musicals to hit the silver screen will rock the live stage when the Spencer Community Children's Theatre presents their Summer Teen production of "Footloose." Featuring a talented group of teens and adults in and around the Spencer area, "Footloose" tells the story of a young man who, after his father leaves him, moves to a small town with a ban on dancing.. ...

The exit interviews: 'Star' finalists talk reality after the reality show (08/07/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff The course of their careers will go in different directions, but "Nashville Star" finalists Melissa Lawson, Gabe Garcia and Shawn Mayer faced the same question after confetti was swept from the floor of the Acuff Theater on Monday night:...

Petty tribute band to play Arnolds Park (08/06/08)
Free Fallin, the nations premier tribute to Tom Petty, is scheduled to play at Arnolds Park on Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Preservation Plaza. Free Fallin has put together a fantastic journey through the catalogue of Tom Petty hits, from his recordings "Damn the Torpedoes" thru "Highway Companion" including hits from the Traveling Wilburys and the Byrds. The band brings the full Tom Petty experience complete with the costumes and instrumentation that are synonymous with Tom Petty...

'Nashville Star' Concert Tour coming to Spencer (08/06/08)
The Clay County Regional Events Center has been selected as a stop for the 2008 "Nashville Star" Concert Tour, the show announced on its telecast Monday night. The NBC country music competition series will bring its final four contestants to the all-seasons building on the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer for an 8 p.m. concert on Saturday, Nov. 22. Doors open an hour before the show...

Mayer falls short of 'Nashville Star' crown (08/05/08)
Melissa Lawson, a big-voiced, 31-year-old mother of five boys from Arlington, Texas, was named the season six winner of "Nashville Star," an NBC country music competition series. The hour-long season finale included Shawn Mayer, a 21-year-old from May City in rural Osceola County, Iowa, and Gabe Garcia, a show-described 28-year-old Tex-Mex cowboy from Lytle, Texas...

Extreme Am celebrates five years (07/31/08)
The Extreme Am will celebrate five years this year when regional skateboarders converge on Spencer's East Leach Park Skate Park to test their skills in four different competitions for trophies and prizes on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16-17. For five years, elementary through adult age skateboarders have been competing in the street run, big air, vert and best tricks events in northwest Iowa's premier skate park...

Mainstreet Market returns Thursday (07/30/08)
This week's featured musicians at Mainstreet Market will be popular local entertainers Jerry Roberts and Dennis Wienke playing a variety of traditional music, country music, and rock-and-roll oldies. They will perform from 6--8 p.m. Thursday, July 31, in front of the courthouse. ...

Mayer reaches 'Nashville Star' finale (07/30/08)
It's up to the voters one last time. Shawn Mayer, a 21-year-old from May City, avoided the elimination as "Nashville Star" named its three finalists in the NBC country music competition series. Mayer led off the show and is joined in the Aug. 4 finale by Gabe Garcia a 28-year-old "Tex-Mex cowboy" from Lytle, Texas, who has overcome the loss of his father and wowed the judges with his smooth voice and authentically country sound. ...

NORTHWEST IOWA STAR (07/28/08)
Mayer celebrates spot in 'Nashville Star's' final four with a few friends For May City native, Shawn Mayer, making the final four of NBC's "Nashville Star" guaranteed her the opportunity to perform an original song on national television and a chance to celebrate with over 3,000 of her closest friends with a concert on the streets of her hometown. ...

Mayer on fire (07/25/08)
Accompanied by a NBC Nashville Star production crew, Shawn Mayer returned to May City Wednesday night where she performed a free concert before packed streets of fans as storm clouds rolled overhead. Mayer, who recently made it into the top four of the nationally televised country music performing contest, rode in on a Harley Davidson and was greeted by approximately 3,000 fans. ...

New grandstand stage arrives in pieces (07/24/08)
Early delivery for Mr. Phil Hurst and the Clay County Fair. With original projections calling for the delivery of the Clay County Fair's new performance stage for the grandstand in August, Bob Maurer delivered a bit early. A large group of fair board members, the Spencer Ambassadors and others were on hand to watch the arrival of the state-of-the-art stage, designed to allow more personal and dynamic interaction between the Grandstand acts and audiences in the stands...

'Nashville Star' finalist finds fans waiting at home (07/24/08)
"I wanted to go to my house and sleep in my bed," Shawn Mayer admits. But the 21-year-old "Nashville Star" finalist also knows her return to northwest Iowa isn't about that. It isn't about the house she grew up in or catching up on old times with her sister. The schedule doesn't allow her to indulge such nostalgia...

Finalist in Spencer Wednesday: Shawn Mayer reaches 'Nashville Star' final four (07/23/08)

Mainstreet Market 08: Zach to open outdoor season Thursday (07/22/08)
Singer/songwriter Zach will perform at Mainstreet Market from 6-8 p.m., on Thursday, July 24 in front of the Clay County courthouse, kicking off the 2008 Mainstreet Market season. In case of rain, the concert will take place at Arts on Grand. Now in its second year at the courthouse square, Mainstreet Market is a weekly mini-festival featuring live entertainment, food, and a variety of goods available for purchase. ...

Briefs 7-16-08 (07/16/08)
Shaky Tree Coffee will be hosting Eric Taylor tonight. This sage musician is also a lyrical genius and master of the guitar. If you're not familiar with Taylor by name, you've probably heard his songs performed by people such as Nanci Griffith and Lyle Lovett. If you missed him the first time he was in Spencer, now is your chance. His show begins at 7:30 p.m. There is a cover charge...

Briefs 7-10-08 (07/10/08)
Arts on Grand will present Music in the Gallery at 7 p.m. tonight. This week's featured musicians will be Tim and Amanda, and possibly a few special guests. They will perform music for guitar and voice with a country flavor, including covers of songs made famous by such groups as Creedence Clearwater Revival. A $5 donation is requested, with proceeds going to the artists...

Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band to present show in Spirit Lake (07/09/08)
Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band (formerly known as the State Fair Singers and Jazz Band), an elite ensemble of Iowa high school musicians, is pleased to announce their upcoming performance in Spirit Lake on Wednesday, Aug. 6. The show begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts...

SPACE announces Mainstreet Market dates (07/09/08)
The Spencer Alliance for a Creative Economy (SPACE) is pleased to announce the location and dates of the 2008 Mainstreet Market. As the Courthouse Square has proved to be a popular location, that will continue to be the area for all the Thursday night activities that one would expect to find at an artist's and farmers market with live music. Five consecutive Thursday nights have been scheduled for the event, beginning with July 24 and proceeding to the final event, on August 21...

Briefs 06-21 (06/21/08)
Farmer's Market Wednesdays and Saturdays The Spencer Area Farmer's Market will be held every Wednesday and Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Southpark Mall parking lot. Come see the homegrown, fresh produce for sale. Mercy Me to headline northwest Iowa's RiseFest...

Rock 'n' roll legends highlight Tuesday's fair (06/20/08)
Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famers, The Diamonds, are set to perform in front of the Clay County Fair Grandstand twice on Tuesday, Sept. 9 - at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Joining The Diamonds for the two shows, will be Iowa Rock' N Roll Music Association Hall-of-Famers, The Fabulous Traidmarx...