Sean C. Morgan
The Oregon Jamboree Thursday named Luke Bryan as its second headliner for 2013, and announced that Neal McCoy will return for his seventh appearance at the country music festival.
Bryan will headline on Aug. 4. The two new signees join Toby Keith on the 2013 lineup.
Bryan joins the lineup after many requests from Jamboree fans through Facebook and feedback surveys, said Festival Director Erin Regrutto. “We really try to listen to who our patrons are requesting to see, and Luke Bryan was a name that came up over and over again.
“Luke Bryan has emerged in the past two or three years as one of country’s biggest stars. We are so excited to have him at the Jamboree this year.”
Bryan’s most current album, 2011’s “Tailgates and Tanlines,” debuted at No. 1 on the country chart and No. 2 on the pop chart, making it the second-highest debut at that time for a country artist. The album is now certified platinum for sales over 1 million and contains three back-to-back platinum singles: “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” “I Don’t Want This Night To End” and “Drunk On You.”
To date, Bryan has scored five No. 1 singles.
McCoy first appeared on the Jamboree main stage in 2004. Since then he endeared himself to Jamboree fans, who have clamored for him, and has only missed 2006, 2009 and 2011. Last summer, McCoy hosted the festival in celebration of the Jamboree’s 20th anniversary.
McCoy, who has recorded 10 studio albums, scored his first No. 1 hit, “No Doubt About It,” in 1993, followed by “Wink” in 1994 from the album “No Doubt About It.”
“We have left Neal out a couple of years in the past 10 years or so,” Regrutto said. “When we leave him out, people want him. People around here really love him. He’s a fantastic entertainer. His show is so great, and he’s so entertaining.”
The Jamboree announced Bryan during the CMA awards Thursday night using Facebook. During commercial breaks, the Jamboree posed trivia questions for different prizes. Among the questions, the Jamboree asked which male vocalist of the year is going to headline the 2013 event.
The correct answer was the first announcement, Regrutto said.
Each question drew 400 to 500 comments, Regrutto said, and Jamboree officials were extremely excited to see that kind of response.
“So far today, we’ve seen a huge impact with ticket sales,” Regrutto said Friday following the official announcement. “So far it’s shaping up to be a great 21st birthday for the Jamboree.”
Jamboree management encourages those who want the most up-to-date artist releases to sign up for their email at OregonJamboree.com and to check Facebook for events and fun.
Tickets and camping for the 2013 Oregon Jamboree are currently on sale at OregonJamboree.com or by calling the box office at (888) 613-6812 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5p.m.
The Oregon Jamboree is produced by the nonprofit Sweet Home Economic Development Group and presented by South Pacific Auto Sales.
All proceeds are used to benefit economic development and charitable projects in Sweet Home.