The Pocahontas County Opera House presents American Idol semi-finalist Chase Likens and WalMart-to-Grand Ole Opry singing sensation Kayla Slone on Saturday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15. Youth 17 and younger are admitted free of charge.
The two young country artists will perform their own set as well as several duets.
Likens is a country music singer, songwriter and actor, who was recently a Top 12 Males Finalist on American Idol Season 11.
Since American Idol, Likens has performed for fans at fairs and festivals throughout the U.S., sharing the stage with Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes, Thompson Square and America’s Got Talent winner Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
For Kayla Slone, it all started at the checkout counter at the Logan WalMart, where she would sing to her customers while working the register. One customer whipped out a smartphone and shot a video of Slone’s singing, to later post it online. That brief clip soon went viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of views worldwide.
Soon, a local ABC reporter saw the video of Slone’s heartfelt renditions of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, found her still singing at WalMart, and did a story about Slone for the evening news. That story soon made its way to ABC World News Tonight’s Diane Sawyer, who featured Slone on her national evening newscast. Grand Ole Opry executives were watching, and soon Slone was standing on that world-famous stage, receiving a standing ovation from a sold-out Opry crowd, while ABC filmed it all for yet another national broadcast.
Advance tickets for The Young Country Tour are available at pocahontasoperahouse.org and at the Fourth Avenue Gallery in Marlinton. Opera House doors open at 6:30 p.m. the evening of the concert.
The Pocahontas County Opera House is located at 818 Third Avenue in Marlinton. Performances at the Opera House are informal, family-friendly and open to all. The entrance and main seating are accessible to persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to attend; special accommodations can be arranged upon request by calling 304-799-6645.
