LITTLE ROCK — Despite what the name of his Virtual Reality World Tour might suggest, Brad Paisley is offering the real thing in his concert tonight — well, most of it is, that is, actual reality.
It became clear how the tour got its name when an Ohio State University newspaper reported that Sunday night’s show in Columbus, Ohio, featured a hologram version of fellow country singer Carrie Underwood, who popped up to sing her part of the duet on “Remind Me,” and apparently the technology is so realistic that fans at first thought it was actually Underwood.
“The tour was named that because country music is supposed to be all about reality,” Paisley told his Ohio fans. “Thanks to our music and beer, you can have anything you want to.”
A singer, songwriter and guitarist, Paisley’s collection of awards includes three Grammys, 14 Academy of Country Music awards, plus another 14 Country Music Association awards, one of which is the Entertainer of the Year from two years ago.
Paisley, who will turn 40 on Oct. 28, is a West Virginia native who has released 10 albums since his 1999 debut. His latest, This Is Country Music, came out a year ago. His latest single, “Southern Comfort Zone,” was recently released and offers a sneak peek at his next album. Paisley also released his first book, Diary of a Player, in November.
He and Underwood will co-host the CMA Awards show, to be held in Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 1. ABC will televise the event. Paisley is again nominated for Entertainer of the Year. His competitors are Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean.
Opening act The Band Perry is a virtual newcomer compared to Paisley, having debuted in 2010 with a selftitled album that included the hit single “If I Die Young,” plus “Hip to My Heart,” “You Lie,” “All Your Life” and “Postcard From Paris.” The band consists of siblings Kimberly Perry, 29, on lead vocals, guitar and piano; Reid Perry, 33, on bass and backing vocals; and Neil Perry, 22, on mandolin, drums, accordion and backing vocals.
Though their father’s name is Steve Perry, he is not the same Steve Perry who was the original lead singer of Journey. The siblings grew up in Alabama, but prefer to call Greeneville, Tenn., their hometown. They were discovered by Garth Brooks’ manager, who helped them make recordings and then got them to Republic Records. The Band Perry is now working on a second album with famed producer Rick Rubin, who worked with Johnny Cash in the last years of Cash’s life.
Another opening act, Scotty McCreery, is no stranger to fans of the TV show American Idol, having won the competition in 2011 (for which he pocketed $250,000, according to forbes.com). The North Carolina native, who turned 19 on Tuesday, released his debut album, Clear As Day, in October 2011. The album, which has reached platinum status for sales of more than 1 million copies, contains the hit singles “I Love You This Big” and “The Trouble With Girls.”
McCreery’s second album, Christmas With Scotty McCreery, is set for release Tuesday.
Brad Paisley’s
Virtual Reality
World Tour
Opening acts: The Band Perry, Scotty McCreery
7:30 p.m. today, Verizon Arena, East Broadway and Interstate 30, North Little Rock
Tickets: $64.50, $54.50, $35.50
(800) 745-3000
www.ticketmaster.com
Weekend, Pages 38 on 10/11/2012