Special to the Pioneer Times
Houlton was the only town in Maine that got to hear the explosive sounds of country music star Josh Gracin live and in concert over the July Fourth weekend. At the Millar Civic Center during Houlton’s annual Midnight Madness, those in attendance, enjoyed a high energy, rocking evening.
Contributed photo/Deborah Rafford
LUCKY — Bethany Devoe won tickets to the Josh Gracin concert in Houlton from Q106.5 and also had the special opportunity to pose for a photo with the country music star backstage.
Even though he was under the weather, Gracin weathered the meet and greet with smiles and hugs before his concert, talking with and signing autographs for his fans. One female fan was heard saying, “He smells good.”
The American Idol finalist and former Marine also posed for pictures with everyone before taking to the stage and singing for more than an hour and a half.
When Gracin took a short break, he took the “scenic route”, as he sang his way back to the stage via the bleachers in the back and up and down the aisles.
One fan, Chris Haggerty, believes Houlton needs to get more involved with shows like this. “There is great talent on stage, and we all sat there and watched,” he said. “We need to get up and move.”
The 28-year-old Michigan native was kind enough to stop and pose for pictures and autographs after the show, and he answered a few questions along the way.
“Motown and R&B are what motivated me to sing,” he confided. “It was a sad day when we found out that Michael Jackson had died.”
Even though he has had a tough time with a former recording label, Gracin said he and Toby Keith were very similar in their thinking. “I know what I want to do for music. I didn’t want to get hung up being something I wasn’t, so I changed labels. My new album will be coming out under the new label, and fans will like the music a whole lot better,” he said.
Gracin sang one of his new hits, “I Want to Make You Cry” and was sure to tell the audience it was “in a good way.” Listening closely to his words, the fans got to see a little of Gracin’s tender side. “I am trying to cater to all ages,” he stated. “This is for young and old.”
Gracin changed gears when he sang a Garth Brooks favorite, “Ain’t Going Down Till The Sun Comes Up.” The high energy song sent fans into a dancing frenzy. Maybe those in the back got to dance, but those of us in the front were told to sit down every time we stood up to dance.
Amanda Chalou, security for this event, shed a little light on the reason audience members were repeatedly asked to sit down. “Because of the small space, and the fire codes, we had to have the front open so people could get out of the arena in a hurry if need be.”
That might make some people think twice about getting front-row tickets for future concerts though, because with music like Josh Gracin put out, everyone wants to get up and dance!
