Blake Shelton, a multi-platinum selling performer, headlines the 25th annual Auburn Rotary Scholarship Show at the Auburn Performing Arts Center on Friday.
The one-night program will begin at 7 o’clock at the Auburn Performing Arts Center, 700 E. Main St.
Shelton, star of the NBC miniseries “Clash of the Choir,” has hit the top of the charts with past singles “Austin,” “Some Beach” and “The Baby.” The Oklahoma-born singer has produced four albums and lately, a powerhouse single in “Home,” which features girlfriend Miranda Lambert on harmony vocals.
As an artist, Shelton has shown steady growth and momentum since his impressive 2001 debut, which earned him the title of Radio & Records magazine’s breakthrough country artist that year.
Opening for Shelton will be new Nashville group Jypsi.
“Blake’s tight schedule made it necessary to limit it to one show if we wanted to get him,” according to show chairman Tim Edwards. “He and his band will be packing up their gear and heading out right after the show to perform at the Academy of Country Music Awards show only two days later at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.”
Tickets are $35 and available at www.ticketmaster.com,206-628-0888.
In addition, a limited number of special VIP packages are available by calling 253-833-6633. The package includes four prime seats, a dinner by Longhorn Barbecue and a chance to meet and be photographed with the artist.
The Auburn Rotary Scholarship Show, which began in 1983, has evolved into a premier Pacific Northwest showcase for some of country music’s major talent. Past award-winning performers included Keith Urban, Kathy Mattea, Diamond Rio, Joe Diffie, Patty Loveless, Chely Wright, Phil Vassar, Keith Anderson and Neal McCoy.
KMPS, country radio station 94.1 FM, has been a show sponsor for 25 years.
A committee of 10 Auburn Rotarians now oversees the planning and operations of the show, as well as the disbursement of the funds generated to outgoing high schools seniors after an application and selection process.
The expenditures and income from the show are kept separate from the general club funds and are tracked under the umbrella of the Rotary International Charitable Foundation.
The scholarships can be used at a trade school, community college or four-year institution. Over the years, more than $500,000 has been awarded to about 650 students.
