MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

October 2, 2008

‘American Idol’ star to play in area Thursday


TULSA — “American Idol” favorite and gold-selling album country music artist Josh Gracin will perform hits such as “Nothin’ to Lose” at 7 p.m. Thursday at Osage Event Center.

Gracin is the only male solo country artist in recent years to release a debut album with three consecutive Top 5 country hits. Josh Gracin sold more than 750,000 copies and the first three singles, “I Want to Live,” “Nothin’ to Lose” and “Stay with Me (Brass Bed),” all reached Top 5 on the Billboard charts in 2004.

“We Weren’t Crazy,” an early release from his second album “We Weren’t Crazy” hit the country music charts last fall and 40 weeks later was ranked fourth on the charts in August 2008. Gracin had a previous Top 10 single, “Stay With Me (Brass Bed)” in 2005. His fourth single, “Favorite State of Mind,” was a Top 20 hit on the country music charts.

Gracin contributed the song “Working for the Weekend” to the “Herbie: Fully Loaded” soundtrack in 2003. He also sang on “When I See an Elephant Fly” on the Jim Brickman album “The Disney Songbook.” Gracin is one of three new male country singers to earn a gold album in the last four years.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Osage Event Center Box Office, 951 W. 36th Street North, Tulsa 74127; or call the box office at 699-7667. Tickets start at $20. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Information: www.milliondollarelm.com.