Jason Aldean and Gabby Barrett in Concert at Star Lake; Beaver Station Hosts Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers and The Forty Nineteens (Fri., 8/

1) Slip on your cowboy boots, button up your finest flannel, and head down to The Pavilion at Star Lake where Jason Aldean takes center stage. Aldean has accumulated many awards over his career, including Male Vocalist of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year at 2013’s Academy of Country Music Awards. He was born in Macon, Georgia and moved to Nashville at 21. His 2005 self-titled debut album cemented his success and “Why” became his first number-one single on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Aldean was performing in 2017 at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas when a gunman fired into the crowd. Fifty-eight people died; another 851 were injured. The following Saturday, Aldean opened “Saturday Night Live” with a rousing cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” Petty had died the day following the shooting. His latest album, Macon, Georgia, is an unusual double album. The first half, Macon, was released last November and the second half, Georgia, this April. Both halves charted high, so Aldean’s creativity was rewarded. (C.M., R.H.)

There is some very good country music talent here in the ‘Burgh, but not many have made it as far in the industry as Gabby Barrett. She was born in Munhall and went to High School at Sierra Catholic in McKeesport. Barrett won the Kean Quest Talent Search here in Pittsburgh in 2014 and started singing in her church choir in Homestead. During the 2017 – 2018 season of the TV show “American Idol,” she made it all the way to the finals before being voted off. In 2019 Barrett married fellow “Idol” contestant Cade Foehner. After “Idol” she kept working on her craft and in 2020 released her debut album, Goldmine. It was well received, making it all the way to no. 4 on the Billboard Country charts. Barrett also has also had two no. 1 singles on the country charts. Special guest is John Morgan. 7:30 p.m. The Pavilion at Star Lake. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown.  (R.H.)

2) Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers are very popular in every part of this region (and country). Today they  are venturing to Beaver County for a show at Beaver Station. Joe Grushecky’s latest album is 2018’s More Yesterdays Than Tomorrows. There is also currently a 25th Anniversary edition reissue of Grushecky and The Houserockers’ classic, American Babylon, which was produced by Bruce Springsteen. Also performing is the pride of Temecula, California (and Beaver County), The Forty Nineteens. The noted garage rock band has been heard on “Little Steven’s Underground Garage” and even counts among its fans, Drew Carey, host of the CBS game show “The Price is Right.” The band will also be performing at Stage AE Tailgate Bash right before the Lions vs. Steelers game on Sunday, August 26. 7:30 p.m. 250 East End Ave., Beaver. (R.H.)

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