Published: March 01, 2007 11:46 pm      

Tickets available for jamboree

Ashland — Ticket sales have been successful for a show that Judy Cornett of ClearChannel called “one of the best yet.”

The WTCR Highway 23 Jamboree at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Paramount Arts Center will feature Josh Gracin, who became famous in 2003 while appearing on the hit Fox television program “American Idol.”

“We just got him on board last week,” said Cornett, vice president and marketing manager for ClearChannel.

“The show had been promoted as having a very special surprise, so we didn’t want to have just anybody. We wanted to promote a performance with some caliber to it.”

Even though Cornett, who has managed the jamboree for eight years, had a limited amount of time to promote Gracin and the show, ticket sales have not been affected.

“Josh has a lot of fans in the area and I think they are going to want to see him live and in person,” she said.

Gracin, a U.S. Marine, made it to the top 10 contestants on “American Idol” and eventually finished fourth. He later returned to the Marines and completed a four-year stint before beginning a career as a recording artist.

After seeing Gracin perform the Rascal Flatts song “I’m Moving On” on the show, Jay Demarcus of the group became a fan and introduced Gracin to the group’s producer. He was signed to Lyric Street Records. His debut album “Josh Gracin” was released June 15, 2004, and certified gold with more than 750,000 sold.

Another featured performer will be Harold Moore, a former member of the 1960s group The Drifters.

Cornett said Moore’s performance will change up the generally all-country show.

“He’s a great person and he’s got a great voice,” she said. “His performance will blend very well with the others.”

Also performing on Saturday will be Traci Stanley, Paul Pace, the Midway Cloggers, the Salvation Heirs and the Highway 23 Jamboree Band.

Tickets for the jamboree are on sale for $20 at the PAC and can be ordered at (606) 324-3175.