Sean C. Morgan
The Band Perry can’™t make it to Sweet Home next summer. Instead, Tim McGraw will drop by and join Miranda Lambert as a headliner for the 2014 Oregon Jamboree.
Oregon Jamboree Festival Director Erin Regrutto announced Monday that scheduling conflicts had forced The Band Perry to cancel its headline appearance.
’œWe are sad that The Band Perry won’™t be joining us this year,’’ Regrutto said. ’œSometimes, these things just happen that are out of our control; but we couldn’™t be happier that Tim McGraw will be with us and know that he will put on a great show.’’
’œEverybody’™s been so excited about Tim McGraw,’’ said Marketing Director Teresa Stas. ’œEverybody’™s been so positive. He’™s huge – and to pair him up with Miranda Lambert, who’™s huge right now…’’
People have been disappointed, she said, but complaints have been minimal.
The Jamboree is scheduled for Aug. 1-3, 2014.
This will be McGraw’™s third appearance at the Jamboree. He headlined in 2009, and in 1996 he was a headliner with his wife, Faith Hill.
McGraw’™s record-shattering career includes selling more than 40 million albums and dominating the charts with 34 number one singles. Since his debut album in 1993, he was won three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music awards, 12 Country Music Association awards and 10 American Music awards, while maintaining a career as an actor in such films as ’œThe Blind Side,’’ ’œCountry Strong’’ and ’œFriday Night Lights.’’
McGraw and Lambert, who will both appear in the upcoming Country Music Association awards show, will be joined by a third headliner to be announced by the Jamboree during the CMA show on Nov. 6.
During the show, the Jamboree will communicate with fans through Facebook, running a trivia contest during commercial breaks just like last year, Stas said.
Ticket sales for the 2014 show are ’œright on pace,’’ Stas said. ’œThings are moving right along.’’
Jamboree staff members are planning some changes to the site right now, Stas said. Most are minor, but it will include a larger stage, which will give artists more space and provide better viewing for fans.
Camping tickets will be available in mid-November, Stas said. The system is currently undergoing upgrades.
The Oregon Jamboree is owned and operated by the Sweet Home Economic Development Group as a fund-raising tool for local economic development projects. The event, in its 22nd year, is sponsored by South Pacific Auto Sales.
For more information about the Jamboree, visit oregonjamboree.com. Fans may sign up for email there and follow the Jamboree on Facebook and Twitter. The Jamboree office may be reached at (541) 367-8800 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.