Published: April 24, 2008 08:25 pm         

‘Idol’ finalist coming to Indiana Theatre

Country singers Jeff Bates, Emily West, Katie Armiger added to show

TERRE HAUTE — “American Idol” season 5 finalist and Nashville recording artist Bucky Covington will be joined by special guests Jeff Bates, Emily West and Katie Armiger at a June 20 concert in the Indiana Theatre at 683 Ohio St., according to a release Thursday from country radio station WTHI HI-99.

After “American Idol,” Covington signed with Lyric Street Records and in January 2007, he released his debut single “A Different World.” His self-titled debut album came out on April 17, 2007, and it debuted at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, the release states. Covington had the best opening week for a male debut album since Billy Ray Cyrus back in 1992. His latest single, “It’s Good To Be Us,” is still climbing the charts and can be heard on HI-99, the release adds.

Joining Covington for the HI-99 concert will be Jeff Bates who has had hit singles such as “The Love Song” and “Long Slow Kisses” and he has a Conway Twitty sound about him.

Capitol Records singer-songwriter West recently released her first single, “Rocks in Your Shoes,” and it is quickly gaining popularity in country music, according to HI-99. Armiger, a 16-year-old Texan, signed with Cold River Records last August. Her new single out is “Make Me Believe.”

HI-99 program director Barry Kent said the concert is one of many sponsored over the years by the local country radio station. Covington will join the ranks of other “Thanks for Listening Concert” headliners including Tracey Lawrence, Diamond Rio, Steve Wariner, Vince Gill, Sawyer Brown, Josh Gracin, Andy Griggs and Craig Morgan, Kent added.

Tickets for the reserved seating show go on sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in the Indiana Theatre. Tickets will be available during normal business hours at the HI-99 studios and Indiana Theatre box office, beginning Monday. Ticket prices are $26.50 for the floor and lower section and $19.50 for the upper section.

Concert details and more artist information may be found at www.hi99.com.